By Carolyn McQuade
Hopewell, NJ, April 3, 2013: The Hopewell Valley Golf Club (HVGC) will hold a dedication and unveiling ceremony marking the renaming of its historic pub room. The room will be named the “T.A. Pierson Room”, in honor of Dr. Theodore A. Pierson (1870-1948), a co-founder of the club and its first president. The ceremony will be held on April 10 beginning at 5:00pm.
HVGC has recently completed an extensive renovation of its historic clubhouse, updating the clubhouse exterior and all of its dining rooms. “This renaming is in keeping with HVGC’s desire to maintain an updated facility while respecting the club’s history,” said Bill Shaw, HVGC General Manager.
Dr. Pierson was a community leader in Hopewell, serving as a public official, physician and dedicated volunteer. He was born in Lawrence Township, and received his early education at Rosedale School and Pennington Seminary. He started his career as a pharmacist in Bordentown and later went to medical school at the Physicians and Surgeons College in Baltimore. He came to Hopewell, where he became one of the leading physicians in the state. He was elected a member ex officio of the New Jersey State Medical Society, the first doctor to be so honored. He served for over fifteen years as a member of the Mercer County Republican Committee, was Mayor of Hopewell for four terms, and was on the Hopewell School Board for 17 years, 15 of which as president. He was president of the Hopewell Board of Health for 25 years, and served as medical inspector of the Hopewell School for 10 years. He was also a director of the Hopewell National Bank and Physician–in-Chief for Saint Michael’s Orphanage. He was an avid sportsman, and was president of the Hopewell Athletic Club for over 25 years. He enjoyed both baseball and golf.
Dr. Pierson and George Wells, who inherited what was then the Glenmore Stud Farm in 1913, conceived the idea of building a golf course on the Wells farm. The club was incorporated in 1927, with Dr. Pierson elected as the club’s first president, and serving in that capacity for ten years.
Attending the dedication ceremony will be two grandsons of T.A. Pierson, T.A. Pierson III and Kester R. Pierson. T.A. Pierson III used to caddy for his grandfather and others at the club beginning in 1932. Today, he is a retired oil and gas geologist, and Kester Pierson is a director in the Princeton law firm of Mason, Griffin & Pierson, PC.
“Dr. Theodore A. Pierson was devoted public official, physician and surgeon,” said Kevin B. McQuade, president of HVGC’s board of directors. “He was HVGC’s President for 10 years; we think he would be proud of the way HVGC continues to live up to his vision: a place where you play golf the way it was meant to be played, walking and no tee times; a place where friends and family gather to enjoy all that Hopewell Valley Golf Club has to offer. We can think of no better way to honor our founding father.”
About Hopewell Valley Golf Club: Hopewell Valley Golf Club is a member-owned full service club located in central Hopewell Township. The club offers an 18-hole walking golf course, multiple tennis courts, swimming pools, paddle tennis, and a range of dining options. Dining and banquet facilities are open to the public for business and personal events. Golf, tennis, and swim outings, and summer camps for children are also available.
