Rediscover Mapledale

09/03/2026

ROBERT H. HAWKINS: HIS IMPACT ON GOLF AND MAPLEDALE AT 100 YEARS: “On the Road Traveling Exhibition on The History of Mapledale Country Club”

With help from our historical consultants Kathryn Harris and Douglas Stark of Interpreting Sports, our organization developed a three-panel display outlining the background of Robert Hawkins and Mapledale, as well as the history of Black golf in America.

Rediscover Mapledale will display the exhibition free of charge to area schools, libraries, museums, historical societies, and community spaces in Stow and surrounding communities.

The Rediscover Mapledale leadership team believes many people in Stow are unaware of the history of Mapledale. We hope the traveling exhibition will change that!

Organizers explain, “By bringing this history directly into public and educational spaces, the exhibition seeks to increase local and regional understanding of a groundbreaking yet often overlooked chapter in American sports and Black history.”

From Sept. 1st through Sept. 9th, the exhibit will be on display at the Stow Town Building. From there, the exhibit will travel to the Pompositticut Community Center on Great Road where it will be available for viewing from Sept. 9th through Sept. 18th, then it will be at Randall Library from Sept. 19th through the end of the month.

Robert H. Hawkins was also a manager of Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland, Massachusetts, thus the exhibit will be at the Wayland Museum during the entire month of October.

It will then be at the Major Taylor Museum in Worcester throughout November. Beginning Dec. 1, Hale Middle School will host the display, allowing more of Stow’s young people to have the opportunity to learn about this interesting piece of the town’s history. Rediscover Mapledale representatives are hoping to secure other locations for 2027!

We welcome anyone with an opportunity to host the traveling exhibition to contact [email protected].

Sept- Stow
Oct- Wayland
Nov- Worcester
December- Back in Stow at Hale Middle School

This exhibit was made possible thanks to Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, the Mass Cultural Council, Stow Cultural Council, and the Lancaster Cultural Council. Hosted by Rediscover Mapledale, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the long-lasting vision to continue to commemorate Black history in Stow, Massachusetts.

08/31/2026

Great course at Stow Acres!

08/31/2026

We love Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley! Thank you for seeing us through to the 100th celebrations and for all of your support along the way.

08/31/2026

The major highlight of the 100 Years of Golf Gala was being able to invite the family of Charles T. Cross. Rediscover Mapledale wanted to do something special to honor the centennial celebration and the recent commemoration day for Tuskegee Airman. This Tuskegee Airmen pilot was a founding member of the first Black golf club in Springfield, MA the Home City Golf Club. Unfortunately, Mr. Cross passed away in 2018. His son Tariq Abdul-Qaadir, and wife, Alooah, proudly accepted the recognition.

Thank you Senator Jamie Eldridge for presenting Charles T. Cross with such a remarkable citation from the State House. We also appreciated Dr. Quincy Mosby for speaking on behalf of the New England Chapter of Tuskegee Airman, with support and research from Willie Shellman and Sean Osborne.

Charles T. Cross, one of the founding members, trained to be a Tuskegee Airmen pilot. Upon transfer to Westover Air Base, he settled in Springfield, and took up golf as his top passion. According to his obituary, “Mr. Cross dedicated his time and experiences to everyone he came in contact with, primarily young African Americans, in an effort to inspire them to have
their dreams become a reality. He loved teaching and mentoring others. He was committed to spreading knowledge whenever possible.” (Mass Golf Celebrates Black History Month, 2023).

Tariq said that when his father got too tired, too quickly to play 18 or even 9 holes. He instructed for a while, but eventually stopped playing. He ended up doing more speaking to mostly young people about flying and the Tuskegee Airmen. He spoke at schools, prisons, anywhere where he could enlighten educate and inspire young people to pursue the world of flying. He was a member of NAI (Negro Airmen International). He also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). His home base; where their aircraft was housed as well as the local NAI office was at Barnes Air Field in Westfield, MA.

Additional photo of Charles Cross standing next to his plane at age 94, photo provided by his son.

This event was made possible thanks to Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, the Mass Cultural Council, Stow Cultural Council, and Lancaster Cultural Council, and Tricons 2 Red Tails. Hosted by Rediscover Mapledale, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the long-lasting vision to continue to commemorate Black history in Stow, Massachusetts.

08/30/2026

Check out the prize winners at this year’s RHH Memorial Golf Tournament! General Manager, Dave Carlson, dressed in traditional attire from the 1920s to celebrate 100 years of golf at Stow Acres Country Club

08/30/2026

Thank you for attending this year’s 3rd Annual Robert H. Hawkins Golf Tournament 2026 Celebrating “100 Years of Golf”! We were delighted to kick off the tournament with the singing of our National Anthem by Nashoba Regional student, Clare S. More photos to come.

08/30/2026

Rediscover Mapledale is investing in the Sapphire Golf Tour! Can you?

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08/26/2026

Rediscover Mapledale is all about preserving the Legacy of America's First Black-Built, Owned, and Operated golf course in New England. We have Robert H. Hawkins to thank for building the first 9 holes at what is today known as Stow Acres Country Club. He ultimately purchased the Randall Estate and corresponding land in Stow, Massachusetts as the home for this golf course, named Mapledale Country Club.

08/26/2026

We are still registering golfers for this Saturday’s tournament!