Philadelphia Seniors’ Golf Association began as a “banding together of men of 50 and over who could play a friendly game of golf and dine and sing the old songs together at various clubs”. Thus was stated in the original minutes of the PSGA . Presidents of several prestigious clubs in the Philadelphia area gathered at a dinner and created this concept that still exists today. Each President hand picked the members of his club who would qualify to begin the organization. Ellis Gimbel tried to fill up the entire membership with men from Philmont, but was permitted only to name twelve, who were outstanding in the business and professional interests of Philadelphia. The year was 1920. The policy of the founders continues today, ” A great variety of Clubs and a limit of 16 from each”. By 1923 the club was going strong with many new clubs represented in the association.

Howard S. Eckels, President of Cedarbrook C.C. was elected the first president and served until his death in 1937. He was the original backbone of the organization. In those days golf games were played at no cost at all for the greens fees. It was considered an honor and a privilege to the Clubs to have this hand-picked group of guests and the Clubs would go to great trouble to decorate, arrange music, etc. for the outings of the Seniors’. Singing old songs together was an important part of the fellowship after golf, participated in by these so called outstanding business and professional men, all members of at least one of the recognized Clubs in the Philadelphia area.

By 1925 a membership of 100 men was built up, dinners after golf frequently numbered 75. In 1926 the membership had expanded to 190 and in 1927 jumped to 225 with outings from Maine to Florida as well is in the local area. A musician and singer were always provided to lead 70 to 100 Senior Singers at ever dinner following golf tournaments. Music was always considered important following golf as it remains today.

“Gentlemen golfers require more than just tacking up the final scores, and going home!”

After the depression and into the thirties, as the various Clubs lost members and financial difficulties worsened, so the Seniors’ lost members. Players at events often numbered less than 40 and the total membership was down to 75. Dinners at several Clubs were not good enough to warrant a large attendance. Times were bad in general. Greens fees of one or two dollars were now being charged. Caddies cost fifty cents and maybe a nickel or dime tip. Second hand golf balls became the rage.

By the late forties, things began to pick up and many new “live wire” members joined. A slogan was adopted “Join the Seniors’ and live forever!” In 1949 a nine-hole division was created and lasted for a short while. The membership age requirements were dropped to age 50 and the membership expanded to 125. and there was a waiting list again.

By the end of the forties 27 Clubs were part of the organization. Old York Road and Cedarbrook lead in numbers, Rolling Green and Aronimink were close behind. Outings sometimes numbered 200 in the party, with over 80 golfers and 20 or so prizes. Annual meetings usually saw 110 golfers and diners.

In 1950 the greens fees had climbed back to the $2.00 level at Manufactures, North Hills and Cedarbrook. Aronimink and the other clubs did not charge greens fees. In fact in the early sixties, it was customary at all “good clubs” to charge no greens fees to any President of any Club who played with the Seniors’.

The Sixties and seventies saw the winter outings to Florida and the Summer events in Maine begin to slow down and cease. The age of train travel and everyone partaking in the event of just getting to these fine venues was lost. What a shame!

The 1950 minutes indicate that the Office of President and Vice-President were to be for two year terms since this was “in the best interest of the organization.” This tradition continues to this day.

Many of the traditions continue, singing is and will remain a large part in the dinner activities. Musicians are still a part of the events and give an extra plus to our voices. We no longer have honeymooners travel with the group to exotic, out of the way places. But, we do go to fine Spring and Fall locations as we continue the tradition of our outings on a grand scale.

Our 100th Anniversary Year was 2020. A very special event was planned. This gave us all a chance to enjoy the camaraderie of members and their ladies and the fun of golfing with the Philadelphia Seniors. Let us do our part to see that this organization continues into the future as a very unique collection of gentlemen, all of whom enjoy golf and the fine friendships that golf can provide in the company of each other. We will always be a “banding together of men of 50 and over who could play a friendly game of golf and dine and sing the old songs together at various clubs.”