History

The MCWCC was established in 1920 by Richard Tufts, a member of the socially prominent Tufts family, as an amenity to the Holly Inn. The club offered shooting and hunting sports to the affluent and exclusive membership who were: guests of the Holly Inn, personal friends of the Tufts family and predominately male. It was, in essence, a private shooting club for gentlemen of the old school, well respected by their peers, wealthy, and exclusive. They shot trap and held meetings and socials at the old trap range that used to be located on Gun Club Road in Pinehurst. Through the thirties and forties, the Tufts group met at various locations in Carthage and Deep River, where they maintained a shooting camp under the tutelage of Julian Bishop, a famous wing-shot of the day. There were fifteen to thirty members, and dues were fifteen dollars per year. In 1950, Dr. Grier and Cornelia Vam of the Tufts group reestablished the club as it exists today open to all ladies and gentlemen who want to participate in the shooting sports and who have an interest in nature and wildlife.

In 1958, Rob Tyler donated ten acres to the club. The lodge was built by Howard Butler who bore all expenses for material and labor. David Drexel gave the club an additional sixty acres. He also designed and built the shooting ranges with his personal funds. Ed Nicely, Max Fields, Kim Irby, Kevin Matthew, and John Gaito (of Richmond Rentals, who did the excavation and other work) were the main labor force, supplemented from time to time by other members.

From its very inception in 1950, the club has been closely affiliated with and strongly supportive of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. Through the efforts of Billy McKenzie and David Drexel, nature trails were built and associations were formed with the Boy Scouts and other people interested in the environment, preservation of forests, lakes, streams, and threatened wildlife. We owe much to Mr. Drexel who said it so well, "A gentleman is no game hog. He is one who has concern and respect for all wildlife and his fellow sportsmen."

Today, our "Day at the Range", Air Gun Shooting, and sponsorship of youngsters to Camp Millstone has made the club a nationally known and applauded driving force in the education of youth and in the preservation of man's gift from God, our field and forests, our fish and wildlife, and our freedom to go afield with rod or gun to enjoy the great outdoors. This was due to the efforts of our 175 members and the unselfish, dedicated work of past-president Dwight Creech, David Prest, Darrell Collins, Gerry Prange and many others who helped initiate the program.

Roch T. Bell
Whispering Pines, NC
Nov 11, 2003