A heritage that dates back to 1937
Since its beginnings in 1937, the original documents of incorporation stated that Bayberry Beach & Tennis Club’s mission was to “maintain a club for bathing and tennis; and for promoting sociability and good fellowship among its members where they may meet”. These words are just as true today as they were then, and this member-owned and member-run club is a rarity with its longstanding history in the Islip community.
Mr. Henry O. Havemeyer was the original developer of Bayberry Point and the original development consisted of ten stucco houses around the west canal. An eleventh small stucco home was built by Frank Gulden, Jr. on the east side of East Bayberry Rd and the rest of the major structures on the “Point” consisted of a Gate House on Ocean Avenue (at Cedar Avenue extension) and a number of work barns. Interestingly, between the Cedar Avenue extension and Smith Avenue extension was a large White Wyandotte chicken operation run by Fred Williams.
At the end of Smith Avenue there were ten stables that went with the original ten houses. Immediately south of the stables was a large area used for sewage leaching for the ten houses. The middle canal had a marine railway at its end and everything to the east, over to Champlain’s Creek, remained as wetlands. Prior to 1930 the land at the end of South Bay Avenue, which was now a sand beach instead of wetland, had been donated to the Town of Islip as a public beach.
In the early 1930’s the second development phase of the “Point” was begun under the direction of Horace Havemeyer, Sr., the son of Henry. Elder and Beech roads were built (Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer’s maiden name was Elder). The sewage leaching system was updated and additional sand was needed for the improvements. As a result, the east canal was dug as a source of sand, and the middle canal was deepened and widened creating the basin.
On the land west of the Town Beach, Horace Havemeyer, Sr. built Bayberry Beach and Tennis Club and it was incorporated beginning in the summer of 1937 the land was leased from Mr. Havemeyer. On January 18, 1940 the Club acquired the main portion of its property encompassing 2.31 acres and all of its waterfront from Mr. Havemeyer’s company, The Bayberry Point Corporation, and the lease was converted into a mortgage ($18,750).
Several of the original club buildings were brought over from the Point farm and today’s club house was originally a barn. BBTC acquired additional property to the north, where the tennis courts are now located,was acquired by deed from Horace Havemeyer, Sr. in 1945 and the final 50 foot parcel along the north property line was added in 1954. The original members of the Bayberry Beach and Tennis were people who had belonged to the Timber Point Country Club in Great River which closed in 1935. Following WWII, the Club needed additional cabanas, a larger kitchen, and the clubhouse needed to be moved and renovated.
“a sense of community for our children”
In those early post war years, the total dues and rental income was less than $10,000 and taxes were minimal. One of the exciting days at Bayberry was the occasion of the visit by the Duke of Windsor in the early fifties. The Duke and Duchess were weekend guests of Chief and Margaret Lawrence at the home on Meadow Farm Rd and the Duke came to the Club for a swim.
In the late forties and early fifties Bayberry Beach and Tennis Club’s tennis pro was Frank Gillespie, the Amherst College coach. Frank tried to improve tennis at BBTC and over time the club became a perennial producer of fine tennis players that continue to represent local high schools in the Islip and Bayshore area.
As a member owned and run club, tradition of members pitching in to clean, paint and repair was instilled by the Founders of BBTC. This attitude continues today and members serve on the Board and committees to oversee the small staff of maintenance, kitchen, tennis professionals and lifeguards. Members host themed parties and run tennis events throughout the season. For more than eighty years, members of this small family-oriented club still describe the unique role of BBTC in their lives standing for “friendships”, “memories”, “relaxation”, “good times and socialization”, “tennis”, “a sense of community for our children”, and even “the best view of the Great South Bay” and “the best sunsets in Islip”.
Truly, the Founders of Bayberry Beach and Tennis Club would be proud of their legacy of fellowship and community.