History
1960's
The Card Sound Sailing Club was organized in 1967 by Phil Connors, Nelson Jeffress
and a group of interested sailors. The Club Burgee was designed by Ann Jeffress. Membership was limited to
homeowners and by the end of the first year there were 35 members. Over the years eligibility requirements were
liberalized and the membership now approximates 100.
The early racing fleet consisted of eight Javelins. Marge and Dick Garbisch and Lida and Ned Smith were frequent
winners.
1970's
After the 1972-73 season it was felt that a stiffer and roomier boat would attract more participants. Attention focused
on the Bull’s-Eye (Bullseye), which had been designed in 1914 by Captain Nathanael Herreshoff, the “Wizard of Bristol”.
In the fall of 1973, nine were added to the fleet, and by 1984 the fleet numbered twenty and the Javelin class had
disappeared.
In 1969, cookouts were held at the Crab Dock in Pumpkin Creek and on Pumpkin Key, and starting in 1970, picnics were
held at Elliot Key. Since 1985, “Nooners” have been held at Baker Harbor after each race. Refreshments are available,
race results are announced and hot dogs are provided once a month. Other social activities have included Opening Lunch,
Awards Dinner, Mystery Cruises, Lobster Parties, Sail in to Anglers Club, Evening Parties and Fund Raisers.
In 1972, the Club set out moorings along the south side of Baker Harbor. Harper Sibley donated a bulletin board and
flagpole at the site. In 1983, due to the Ocean Reef Club’s building plans, the Sailing Club built a new 110’ dock along
the western side of Baker Harbor and the bulletin board was moved. Mrs. Sherm (Sis Hovey) Morss was instrumental in
securing a perpetual lease on this property for the Club. A new flagpole, donated by Fred Brewster, flies the National
Colors, Club Burgee and the Senior Officers Pennant on race days.
1980's
In 1983, radio controlled “EC-12” Model Yacht Racing became an activity of the Card Sound Sailing Club. They race on
Sunday morning in the Ocean Reef Lagoon. The Model Yacht Fleet became a separate organization known as the Card Sound
Model Yacht Club in 1994 and their fleet has grown to over 30 radio-controlled 12-meter model yachts.
The Club hosted the Bullseye Nationals in March 1989. Twenty-one boats competed. Representing the Card Sound Sailing
Club Eugene Corley, with Owen Coon as crew, won the five race regatta. In August 1991, Spencer Gowrie, also representing
our Club, won the Bullseye Nationals held at Fishers Island, New York. His son, Carter, and Linda Dowd were his crew. In
March of 1994, the Club once more hosted the Nationals and Eugene Corley and Owen Coon came from behind by winning the
last race to edge out Spencer Gowrie and Frank Shumway who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the five race
series.
1990's
On August 24,1992, Ocean Reef was hit by Hurricane Andrew with winds of 165 miles per hour. It was the strongest
hurricane in recorded history, and the greatest natural disaster ever to hit the continental United States. The Bullseye
Fleet was in summer storage and survived!
Frank Mills donated the Mills Trophy in 1970 for the winner of the Javelin class. After the Javelins were phased out,
the trophy was then awarded to the winner of three long races. In 1973, Mrs. Philip Connors donated a trophy to be
awarded to the winner of the Bullseye Class, and this trophy is presently designated to the winner of the January races.
In 1989 the Club initiated the Commodore Dingley Trophy honoring Lucille Dingley. This award is currently being given to
the winner of the December race series. In 1991 Herb and Allie Owen donated the Magic Trophy named after a number of
boats they had owned. This trophy is now awarded to the winner of the February races. Concurrently, in 1991, the
original Mills Series (three or four long races) was divided into an A (Bulls) Division and a B (Eyes) Division. This
division accommodated a new trophy, the Metcalf, honoring Frank and Libby Metcalf. The Mills trophy is now awarded to
the winner of the A (Bulls) Division and the Metcalf Trophy is awarded to the winner of the B (Eyes) Division.
In 1996, George and Jane Berry established the Pumpkin Key Trophy for one special race around Pumpkin Key Island.
The Bullseye has served the Card Sound Sailing Club well since 1973. The Herreshoff Trophy, in recognition of its
designer, Nathanael Herreshoff, was given to the Club in 1997 by Halsey Herreshoff, Grandson of Captain Herreshoff. This
award is presented to the season’s most improved sailor.
2000's
In March of 2000, the Club once again hosted the Bullseye Nationals and had a record number of boats (30). Don Wright of
Card Sound Sailing Club won the five race series by a wide margin of eleven points. His crew was Keith Newton. In second
place was Peter Rugg of Fishers Island, New York and in third place was Gene Corley of Card Sound Sailing Club.
In 2001, a very special regatta and lunch was held to honor and celebrate the 90th birthday of Past Commodore, Lucille
Dingley. In addition to her numerous sports accomplishments in shooting, airplane racing, auto racing and her war-time
air support service, her sailing accomplishments include: Mills Series winner, longest regular continuous racing record,
first female commodore, first commodore to host Bullseye Nationals at Ocean Reef and the unchallenged eldest, active,
one design small boat racing skipper in the U.S. The regatta in her honor received national attention.
In 2005, CSSC was host to the fleet of 25 boats competing for the five race Bullseye Nationals. Although a third of the
competitors were from northern yacht clubs, Card Sound Sailing Club members came in 1-2-3. Al and Lynne Mast outpaced
the fleet with 13, followed by Don Wright and Sandy Chapin (26) and Sally and Bill Martin (28).
In 2006, two new series were established to reward those who had not won trophies in the previous year. One of the
series was named for Bill Combs, and the other was named for Dave Dort.
In 2008, a tradition was started with CSSC hosting a celebrated outside sailing speaker for an opening night
presentation to all of ORC at the Cultural Center. The first speaker was Gary Jobson in 2008, followed by Harry Horgan,
CEO of Shake-a-Leg, Miami, in 2009, and Halsey Herreshoff in 2010.
2010's
In 2010, we were again host for the Nationals, and again a CSSC member, Sally Martin with husband Bill crewing, were
Champions over a 26-boat fleet. She topped two-time champions Chris and Cathryn Collings from Marion, Mass, and the 3rd,
4th, and 5th places went to CCSC members Al Mast with Henry Stout, George Fenner with Mike Betz, and Dick Elliott with
his son Gibb crewing.
In 2014, a trophy was donated by Shirley Shumway in remembrance of her husband, Frank. Frank was a Past Commodore,
accomplished sailor, and great contributor to CSSC. The Shumway Trophy is given to the overall season winner.
In 2015 the iconic George Fenner took his last voyage. He was Commodore of CSSC in 1999-2000. He raced Bullseyes for
twenty five years, winning 28 firsts in our Series racing and attended at least eleven Bullseye Nationals. A long time
liaison to the Bullseye Sailing Association, he helped coordinate boats and rooms for visitors at the Nationals. He
supported CSSC on and off the water and was a great friend to so many of our members. A plaque was placed at the base of
the flag pole, and Kiwi #705 (spinnaker #778) will live on at CSSC, in remembrance of George.
In 2016, CSSC hosted the Bullseye Nationals for the sixth time with twenty four boats on the line, sixteen from CSSC and
eight from visiting Clubs. First, third and fifth place went respectively to Niko Kotsatos and Carolyn Marsh, Chris and
Kathryn Collings, and Joan and Ed Tiffany, all from Beverly Yacht Club. From our own CSSC, Chris and Steve Streit took a
second place just one point behind Niko, and George and Russ Lucas came in fourth. The Filial Trophy was awarded to
Chris and Steve Streit for the best finish by a boat with at least two generations aboard. Lastly, The Beverly Trophy
for the most improved sailors from the last Nationals went to Ed and Sandy Kirschner.
2020's
The Beverly Trophy for the most improved sailors from the last Nationals went to Ed and Sandy Kirschner. The Club’s Fleet currently has 23 privately owned Bullseyes.
CSSC has hosted the Bullseye Nationals six times.
In recent years NYYC members have been guests of CSSC racing our Bullseyes hosted by our current members. NYYC has made this annual event as part of their annual cruise to ORC.
CSSC on occasion invites other Clubs for team and fleet races.