Financial challenges and ownership changes
The recession beginning in 1973 caused devastating financial challenges due to high interest rates and inflation. Club memberships declined and new home purchases stopped almost entirely. Charlie and Dot had taken a big risk by hiring an outsider to build the Village of Garrisons Lake and manage their new company, Garrisons Lake Developers. They invested everything they had into this new venture, however, everything changed business-wise within a few years of its beginning. Instead of selling lots at a profit, they were building houses. It became necessary to lease the golf club to others for a couple of years before a group of nine local entrepreneurs made an offer to buy it in 1978. One condition of the sale was to keep it family friendly and reasonably priced for its members. Charles Ewing died suddenly from a massive heart attack in 1979. Dot was able to slowly sell off pieces of property and the shopping center, including what is now Northridge, to satisfy the outstanding debt.
The group that purchased the club from Charles and Dot adhered to the agreement for twenty-two (22) years. It was managed and maintained very well, had a large membership, and every Friday night there was a well-attended restaurant quality dinner. Tournaments continued, including the prestigious “Blue Hen Golf Classic,” the brainchild of George Hall. George and his family appreciated and promoted Garrisons Lake Golf Club as much and as the Ewing’s had done. His son, Mike Hall, won the Blue Hen Six (6) of the Fourteen (14) years it was held starting at Garrisons Lake Golf Club in 1988 and ending two years after being held at Maple Dale Country Club during 2000 and 2001. The top award, The Ewing Cup trophy in honor of Charlie and Dot, was displayed at each of these clubs with names plates attached listing the yearly winners. The “Blue Hen Golf Classic” moved to the Maple Dale Country Club in 2000 and 2001 after the Jaworksi Group took over. The trophy was returned to the Ewing family in 2008 unfortunately after the passing of Dot Ewing.
Below is a list of the winners of the Ewing Cup by year.
- 1988 Mike Hall
- 1989 Blaise Giroso
- 1990 Mike Hall
- 1991 Mike Hall
- 1992 Mike Hall
- 1993 Mike Hall
- 1994 Jeff Clark
- 1995 Carlos Ochoa
- 1996 Darrell Clayton
- 1997 Darrell Clayton
- 1998 Tom Borsello
- 1999 Tom Borsello
- 2000 Keith Matt
- 2001 Mike Hall
