HISTORY

Stuart Warren Cramer was a high profile figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He designed 150 mills and owned 11 mills under the business name Mays Mills Inc. in 1915.  Two necessities for mills of the era were water and transportation.  The South Fork River provided water, and the Southern Railroad ran directly through the Cramer property.  Mill villages, built in close proximity to the mills, provided housing for its workers. At the turn of the century, Cramer was responsible for creating a ‘model village’ which today is known as the town of Cramerton.  

The village was built around Mays Plant and Mayflower Plant, which originated in the spring of 1906 and operated as a spinning mill until 1923, when a weaving plant began operation. “Army khaki” was Cramerton’s famous 8.2 ounce fabric that was first manufactured in 1929.  An improved fabric was later designed and became the staple of the U. S. military during World War II.  Cramerton Mills won the coveted “Army Navy E Award For Service” for their part in the development and production of this material. The Mayflower Plant burned in October 1994. The village was originally known as Maysworth, but in 1922, at the persuasion of friends, the town's name was changed to Cramerton.

Cramer actually built two golf courses in his time. The first was located on Goat Island and build on sand greens. His second course was built along the side of the South Fork River and opened in 1927.  Three of the holes, #3, #4, and #5, are still present today and aptly named 'the Old Course.'

Cramer built a modern dairy and chicken farm on Cramer Mountain as well as numerous orchards to provide fresh eggs, pure milk, and fresh fruits for the health and happiness of the people. Captain John Landrom Boyter was the long time was overseer of the farm. The pastures where the cattle roamed, known years ago as the hidden pastures, was isolated by thriving orchards. Flatrock was another pasture and was entered through a secret entrance known only to the people familiar with the mountain.

One of the most historical and impressive homes on the mountain, known as the Maymont Manor, was built by Cramer after one of his European trips. He saw a classic English Manor house and decided he wanted one just like it for his summer home. In 1917, the summer home was built atop the mountain using the mountain's native materials. Perched 1400 feet above sea level, one could look out over the expanse of the village. Presidents Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower, as well as General George Patton, Jr., where known to have attended parties at the Manor.

In 1946, all of Cramer family assets in the town of Cramerton were sold to Burlington Industries. In 1984, the mountain and surrounding properties were sold and development soon began on a championship golf course and country club which were to be surrounded by mountainside homes. Cramer Mountain Country Club opened May 17, 1986. The golf course opened September 10, 1986.  The outstanding course was like nothing else in the area due to the unique landscape in which the course was built. The club was highly successful in the early years of opening, but eventually closed its doors in 2010.

Cramer Mountain Golf Course was designed in 1985 by the legendary Maples family; 184 acres of raw land was the canvas Dan Maples used to create his masterpiece. Spending over $20 million to build the course located between Cramer and Berry Mountains, the topography allowed Maples to create a hidden gem. Maples created a course with multiple signature holes, flowing fairways, and creeks dissecting the holes. The large expanse of land allowed Maples to create a course unlike anything in the area.

The signature hole number 15 was originally designed as a par 4 dog leg left. The hole was supposed to follow the curvature of the stream, but when the construction began on the hole, hundreds of thousands of dollars was spent on dynamite to blow up the rock. The rock happened to be far denser than anticipated, and the decision was made to change the hole to a par three. The holes used to put the dynamite in are still visible today. The hole at one time was the most expensive ever built, until the completion of hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass.

After the club closed its doors in 2010, the property laid dormant for over 2 years. Then in 2014, Cramer Mountain Club was formed by a partnership between over 200 residents and DMD investments, creating a nonprofit, member-owned club. There was lots of work to do in order to bring the course back to life. Eight foot high trees and weeds had covered the course, turning it back into a forest once again. The huge undertaking was led by past head Superintendent Paul Stroman and Golf Services INC, both boasting an amazing resume' of improvements to courses like Augusta National and Quail Hollow Club, thus the renovations to CMC are outstanding!

The original layout of the course is still present today, but new championship Bermuda greens, irrigation systems, tees, and fairways have brought new life back to the historical Cramer Mountain.  A round of golf at Cramer Mountain is challenging, exciting, and truly memorable. Playing 6,456 yards from the back tees, the length of the course is not daunting; however, its topography and challenging shot-making make us one of the best golf clubs in the Charlotte area.

Lenox Development Group lead by Eric Vargosko was the brains behind the brilliant clubhouse renovation. The building was in such disrepair and with 36,000 sqft of extreme renovation needed, there was talk of tearing the beautiful building down. Firstly it was far to large to accommodate the needs of the new CMC model, so Vargosko and his team decided to turn the upstairs into class A office space, though many thought this would not work, Lenox Development had the vision and knowledge to make the upstairs of Cramer Mountains Clubhouse one of the most desired office condo's in the area. This work continued downstairs where the clubhouse now boasts a pro shop, locker rooms, conference rooms, 2 hair salons, a barber and an esthetician. It is vision like this that separates Cramer Mountain Club with the ever expanding list of amenities. Cramer Mountain Club proud to have Lenox Development Group as a partner.