The League of the Iroquois 

Bellevue Country Club is honored to be a member of The League of the Iroquois, “the oldest amateur golf league in the world”, to quote Grantland Rice. Started in 1913, Bellevue competes annually with its fellow clubs, Oak Hill in Rochester, Wanakah in Buffalo, and Yahnundasis in Utica. This year, the 93rd Pow Wow will be played at Oak Hill Country Club on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 13th to 15th. 

The initial idea for The League started at Yahnundasis as they foresaw the possibilities of an inner-city competition that would promote brotherhood and inner-city business development; so they set about to promote it. The initial cities' representatives met with Oak Hill and a permanent name was chosen when Oak Hill's John Kavanagh pointed out that the Clubs from the four Upstate cities occupied the same geographical areas of the League of the Iroquois. 

The golfers decided to follow the same ancient league procedures as The League of the Iroquois with each Club President being given the name of Sachem, and the presiding officer of each annual tournament, The Pow Wow, called the Chief Sachem. The President and Treasurer is called the Chief Wampum Keeper and along with the Secretary and the Tadodaho (Historian) manages the affairs of The League annually. Wanakah Members Comstock, Ahern and Gannon have held the position of Chief Wampum Keeper for the past 50 years. However in 2002, the torch was passed for the first time to Syracuse, the home of the Onondaga Nation and the League of the Iroquois with Jack Rade of Bellevue becoming the Chief Wampum Keeper based on having been a caddie & League Player for Ahern and Gannon many moons ago. 

All matches are played in the order of the setting sun, starting with the host club. This means at the 93rd Pow Wow this year, Yahnundasis will first play Bellevue as it looks to the west toward the setting Sun, leaving Oak Hill to play Wanakah. Then in the afternoon, Yahnundasis will compete against Oak Hill, and on Friday against Wanakah. 

The annual council fire of the League of the Iroquois Pow Wow is more than just another golf tournament. Its old friends and new acquaintances gathering to enjoy the brotherhood of The League, to share the feasts and firewater's of the host club and to promote business and the goodwill of the four cities. 

The League is special to all Bellevue Players who believe that: “So long as the water sweeps down from the North and the mighty Niagara flows to the sea, The League of the Iroquois will meet each year for friendly competition, great feasts and to promote the goodwill of the four great cities of Upstate New York, the land of the Haudenosaunee.” 

If you'd like to learn more about The League, Please see our Pro Steve Aloi, Phil Allen, John MacCaull, Larry Duchaney, Andy Eassa, Jack McDermott or Jack Rade.