Clayton Country Club traces its roots to the early days of golf in the Thousand Islands region. Silent film actress May Irwin is credited with striking the first golf ball at the club, and she remained an active supporter, hosting parties and dances to benefit the organization and helping promote and sustain it.
Arthur L. Williams served as the club's first president, and during his four years in that role a nine-hole course and a clubhouse were built. He was succeeded in 1929 by Crouse M. Klock, followed by J. Leslie Cummings and then Floyd A. Tifft, who served until 1946.
That year, brothers Alvah A. and Carl L. Bertrand, longtime Clayton residents, bought the club; Alvah had already spent a decade there as professional and greenskeeper, with his wife serving as clubhouse hostess. In 1983, after 37 years of Bertrand ownership, Gerald "Smok" Girard purchased the club. He and Sally Girard added a full-service bar and snacks to the clubhouse, along with gas golf carts and several additional tee boxes.
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