Charlie Martin
Born in Queens, Charlie Martin grew up in an age when the outer borough was dotted with renowned golf courses, and his first taste of course construction came while caddying at the original Fresh Meadow Country Club. That initial experience eventually blossomed to his own Commack-based construction firm.
Prior to going out on his own Martin was part of a group charged with maintaining the turf at Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field, and the Polo Grounds, as well as Winged Foot, Deepdale, and Shinnecock Hills with the late Walter Grego. It was after this association with Grego that Martin formed his own firm C. K. Martin Co. with headquarters at old Indian Road in the burgeoning Commack, Long Island, area of New York State.
At the time more than 90 percent of the clubs in the Long Island and Westchester area, in addition to Fairfield county in Conn., became clients of Charlie Martin firm. Martin's contributions to golf course architecture were ultimately more focused on construction and remodeling than the original design. When Martin's work expanded from private clubs to new municipal courses, he eventually earned a reputation as Long Island golf's "public defender."
Photo: Crane Watch Club