The History of the Concord Sportsmen’s Club, Incorporated
Part I – The Early Years
In about 1940, a group of businessmen decided to form a club for those interested in hunting, fishing and related activities, such as shooting trap skeet along with big bore and small bore rifles. Paul Keller, Sr., who owned Kellers Hardware, and Sam Cook, a clerk in a store, were some of the original driving forces behind the project. Others in the original group were: Louis Narberas, Laurence Fisher, Ad Fisher, F.T. Marshall, Don Lasell, Hub Himsel and George Pearson.
The first meetings were held in the basement of the Veterans Building in Concord, CA. In 1941 they elected their first President, F. Pedrezzetti, and E.V. Holbrook as Vice-President. They then developed a set of by-laws, some of which are still a part of the club. A committee was established to find another Stoneman in Pittsburg. These barracks were moved to a piece of property on Sunset Avenue (now an extension of Concord Blvd.), where the Concord Transcript building now stands. It was then vacant property owned by the County. They were able to do this through the efforts of Ray Taylor, who was a County Supervisor and a very loyal member of the CSC. The two barracks were placed in an L- shaped configuration, and big work parties began renovating the inside. The walls were covered in oak flooring, so the Club could be rented to the Merry Mixers, a group of single people who loved to dance. They helped pay for the Club expenses in those days.
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of the early work parties. It set the tone for future members, and without them we would never have had a Club. Rental for the property was a token $1.00 per year, and we never knew how long we might be able to stay there. We were good neighbors, and did a fine job of keeping the place up. There was a large, very deep pit along the side the building that needed filling. The pit was filled by the members over a period of time, in the hope that we might eventually buy the property but it was not in the cards. Utilities were available on the site, but it was necessary to build two restrooms alongside the buildings. One of the members was able to obtain some glazed tile from a firebrick company in Pittsburg and, again, work parties did the construction. There was always a shortage of chairs, so we sat on newspapers on the floor when there was entertainment. Ice was brought in from town for drinks (since we had no refrigerator) and a bar was built later. A refrigerator was scrounged up to help with the ice, and drinks were $.25. Though we were always in need of money, we managed to have some great pot-luck dinners, and generally had a great time. There was an Entertainment Chairman, and his job was to arrange for speakers and films on sporting activities. This worked out very well. In addition, the Club bought several air pistols that the members shot at targets inside the club following the meetings.
As we approached the 60’s, it became evident that we would have to move since the Park & Shop area was growing and businesses wanted that property. A committee was formed to find a home for the club. They finally found a site off Evora Road that was part of a ranch. Once again, work parties were formed and the ground was graded so a clubhouse could be built and parking available. In addition, land was set aside for a small and large bore rifle shooting area. This was eventually lost to Highway 4.
In the next several years, it became obvious that we were in need of a new clubhouse since the property on Sunset Avenue was being sold to Frys Markets. John Hicks, a builder, was contacted and presented the Board with a contract to build the clubhouse. He proposed a rectangular building with tar and gravel roof consisting of a large dance floor, restrooms, kitchen, storeroom, plumbing, wiring, and louvered interest rate for 25 years. Monthly payments were $250.00 (the loan was paid off in 1988).
The following is a list of the Presidents from 1941 through 1962:
1943 – Lawrence Fisher
1944 – Harry Mould
1945 – Guido Crenna
1946 – Ad Fisher
1947 – Lou Narbares
1948 – Carl Biddle
1950 – Don Lasell
1951 – George Pearson
1952 – Hub Himsel
1953 – Sam Cook
1954 – Mac McCorkle
1955 – George Palmer
1957 – Earl Kuhr
1958 – Lew Cass
1959 – Lou Kolling
1960 – Don Baldwin
1961 – Lee Baldwin
1962- Al Engler
Part II – The Later Years
Prior to letting the contract build the new clubhouse, we needed to drill a well since we were outside of an area where city water was available. After digging the well and finding good water, we had to get it to the clubhouse. Nick Matulich brought his crew from PG&E to dig the trench from the well to the 300 gallon-pressure tank at the clubhouse. Several years later, Motherall Well Drillers took the well down to 190 feet.
Now that we had water and all the other utilities, we were ready to occupy the clubhouse. Our first official meeting was 8-21-63, and Bill Fuhrer as President conducted the first meeting. It soon became apparent that we had much to do. In order to handle our own functions successfully and to optimize rentals, we needed to complete the bar and develop the kitchen to handle dinners for at least 250 people. We lucked out. US Steel in Pittsburg was in the process of shutting down the in-plant restaurant, and Don Lasell was able to obtain all the large stainless steel pots and pans, a stainless steel sink, a hood for above the stove, a 6-door refrigerator-freezer and a steam table. Once this gear was in place, Jesse Tuttle – the club’s number one chef – and his wife, Janice, proceeded to cook some first rate dinners. They did a great job for many years, before having to give it up due to Jesse’s health.
Next, we tackled the bar. Don Lasell was able to get a bartender’s double sink through a restaurant supply house. This enabled us to have two bartenders at one time. A backbar – complete with cabinets, shelves and mirrors – was completed by Don and stocked with glasses, etc. A brass footrail completed the project and the bar was open for business. Initially drinks were $.50 each. A bar committee was established, and produced big revenues for the club.
The membership was now ready to have a good time and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Committees were organized to promote hunting and fishing, dinner and dancing events. Our biggest concern in the early days was keeping our budget as low as possible. This was a great time in our club history, and we enjoyed all the activities. A caretaker was brought in and housed in a room attached to the clubhouse. He was put in charge of not only looking after things in general, but was involved in the cleanup after dinners. We had several caretakers over the years, and they all did a good job.
It became apparent that we had to find a way to increase our seating capacity for dinners and related activities. The main room was not big enough to serve dinners and still have room for dancing. After much discussion, it was decided to remove more dirt from the hill in back and add a room. Through the efforts of Cliff Ames and Mac McCollum – and an old tractor – enough dirt was removed to provide plenty of room to build a retaining wall and lay a concrete floor. Cliff and work parties put up the wall, and Bob Smith brought in his contracting crew and put down the concrete for footings and the floor. A sheet metal roof covered the new room, and the lights were later installed after Cliff raised the roof and put in a new ceiling. Much later, a more permanent roof was installed and the room was completely closed in. Dan Fowler ramrodded this job when he became President. Les Davis was responsible for installing a heater, and that made dining much more pleasant. We also used this room for holding meetings. Don Lasell was able to obtain some firebrick from US Steel, and he and others built a magnificent barbecue in this area that was used for many years.
Installation of the Duck Tower came next. Herm Schippers was able to latch onto a surplus tower from PG&E and, with a crew, managed to deliver it to the site. Installation required the pouring of piers to support the tower, the raising of the tower and the acquisition placement of the mechanism for throwing out the clay pigeons. Herm, with the help of Mac McCollum and a host of volunteers, finished the job in record time. Frank Burgess was in charge of the clay pigeon launchers. The tower was an immediate success, and shoots were held each meeting night (and sometimes on the weekends). Needless to say, we had some great shooters.
With the increase in the number of renters, it was necessary to develop a separate part of the club for the exclusive use of the members. Plans were drawn to add a room that would house a large bar, stone fireplace, area for dancing, pool table, and more restrooms. This was a very ambitious project and many people were involved. Herm Schippers was President at this time and was quite involved. Don Lasell was a driving force – along with huge work parties – and they did the majority of the work. Don worked from authentic prints drawn by Paul Pittman, a Concord architect. Bob Smith did all the concrete work for the floor and footings. Don and the members put up all the walls and the roof, working mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. The huge bar was built by Bob Hunnicut, and the padding for the bar was done by Buzz James. Stainless steel sinks were purchased from a wholesale house. The stone for the fireplace was purchased (very expensive), and a work party headed by Herm Schippers, Les Davis and Jesse Tuttle, cemented the stone in place. Don Lasell then built the mantle over the fireplace and built the overhead lamps that provided light for the area around the fireplace. A small dance floor was laid on top of the concrete and tables and chairs placed around the dance floor. Two restrooms were added to ease the burden on the ones in the main building.
Several very important and active committees were in force during the life of our club. The Hunter Safety program was started by Sam Cook in 1954, and is still very active. Now entitled Hunter Education Program, it teaches hunters how to handle firearms safely and stresses the rules of safety in all aspects of hunting. Students must pass the course before they can be issued a hunting license. Sam Cook passed the responsibility to Cliff Ames, who has done a fine job. Over the years he was ably assisted by Frank Burgess, Jim Amsbury, Ed Krumland and Nick Matulich. At the end of 1998, 10,000 students have passed through the course.
Another committee that is still ongoing is the Trophy Committee. This group decides who will get trophies for the largest fish, in categories such as bass, sturgeon, catfish, steelhead, trout and ocean fish. In addition, trophies for the largest rack of horns for coastal deer, out of state deer, elk, bear, etc. A number of members have headed up this committee over the years, and all of them did an outstanding job, and are to be commended. It was certainly exciting when the prizes were handed out at the Trophy Dinner.
United Sportsmen, Inc. came into being in the 1950’s and is composed of now five individual Clubs, notably Concord, Walnut Creek, Diablo, Bay Point with the recent addition of Brentwood. Representatives of the first four clubs bought a piece of property off Evora Road, approximately 80 acres, and turned it into one of the finest shooting areas in all of California. Trap shooting, skeet, large and small bore rifle, and pistols are all a part of what in known as USI. It is very well organized and operated by some very talented people. Concord Sportsmen’s Club has always had representation and input into the operation, and now uses their clubhouse for our meetings.
As previously mentioned, money (and the lack of same) was a constant problem. It was difficult to continue to maintain a club that was used so seldom, and the costs kept escalating. About 1992, discussions between the members began regarding selling the property and moving the club to USI. Over the next 6 years, Dan Fowler, Roger Ensley, Bob Clarke and Bob Smith agonized over this problem. Dan Fowler was designated to attempt to find a buyer. This was difficult to accomplish, but a buyer was found, and the deal finalized in 1998. Revenue from the sale will keep the Concord Sportsmen’s Club solvent. Bob Smith was President at the time of the sale. The club members, along with the Board of Directors, are indebted to Dan and Bob for the way the sale was handled.
The following is a list of the Presidents from 1963 through current:
1964 – Jim Heflin
1965 – Cliff Ames
1966 – Norm Rudie
1967 – Mac McCollum
1968 – Les Davis
1969 – Jesse Tuttle
1970 – Lionel Nephew
1971 – Frank Burgess
1972 – Herm Schipper
1973 – Ed Byers
1974 – Bob Smith
1975 – Herb Uptegraf
1976 – Buzz James
1978 – Joe Rose
1977 – Joe Rose
1979 – Joe Rose
1981 – John Pfeiffer
1982 – Roger Ensley
1983 – Norm Rudie
1984 – Larry McGarry
1985 – Larry McGarry
1986 – Paul Frakes
1987 – Paul Frakes
1988 – Kevin Towne
1989 – Bill Benbrook
1990 – Dan Fowler
1991 – Dan Fowler
1992 – Dan Fowler
1993 – Dan Fowler
1994 – Roger Ensley
1995 – Bob Clarke
1996 – Bob Clarke
1998 – Bob Smith
1999 – Cliff Ames
2000 – Cliff Ames
2001 – Cliff Ames
2002 – Cliff Ames
2003 – Cliff Ames
2004 – Cliff Ames
2005 – Cliff Ames
2006 – Don Best
2007 – Dennis Peterson
2008 – Dennis Peterson
2009 – Rene Allen
2010 – Rene Allen
2011 – Rene Allen
2012 – Rene Allen
2013 – Jack Bernardi
2015 – Bruce Winship
2016 – Bruce Winship
2017 – Bruce Winship
2018 – Bruce Winship
2019 – Bruce Winship
2020 – Bruce Winship
2021 – Mike McIntosh
2022 – Mike McIntosh
