Shady Rest Repair, Preservation Funds Introduced

Scotch Plains council introduced a $138,163 bond ordinance on Tuesday for repairs and studies to preserve the town's historic Shady Rest Country Club, the first African-American-owned golf club in the country. 

Town manager Jerry Giaimis said the funds will be used for a preservation study, to apply for preservation grants and for immediate repairs. The ordinance will be voted on at council's Sept. 17 meeting. 

The introduction of this ordinance comes after a crowd arrived at the town's previous council meeting to support preservation of the historic building. 

Shady Rest's clubhouse was famous for its entertainment and featured performances from jazz and blues greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway. 

John Shippen, the first American-born African-American golf pro, and first African-American to compete in the U.S. Open in 1896, served as the head club pro from 1931 until 1960.