By AL MILLEY

DANVILLE, Va. - Cain Creek Golf Club served its purpose in Danville before its demise in 1977.

The nine-hole layout, measuring just 3,005 yards, served as a training ground for many of the golfers in Danville who continue to play the game.

"I started playing golf at Cain Creek with a friend (G.B. Clark Jr.) when I was about 20 or 21," said Randy Davis, vice president of Investments for PaineWebber and presently a member at Tuscarora Country Club.

"I started playing at Cain Creek about 1955 when Mac Main was the pro there," added Sonny Gibson, presently the club manager at Ringgold Golf Club.

Cain Creek was built on the Wilson Dairy Farm by the Elks Club and the late E.F. Jones is credited with its design. It was located just off highway 58 East across the road from the Danville airport.

The City of Danville took over operation of the course and it was leased to Main before Kennon Poteat took it over in 1961.

Poteat operated the course for 17 years, finally giving it up in 1977.

"I had no choice," said Poteat recently. "When Mrs. Wilson died, the land had to be sold for the heirs and it went on auction in 1977."

Poteat recalled the land was purchased by Henry Hogan and the late Wimpy Jones. Hogan Distributing was built on the property, as was Sir Richard’s Steakhouse, the latter presently owned and operated by Ricky Jones, Wimpy’s son.

Cain Creek was a busy nine-hole course, with approximately 150 players during weekdays and 200 on both Saturdays and Sundays.

And, you couldn't beat the price. Greens fee was $1 for nine holes and $1.50 for 18 during the week. On weekends, it was a flat $3 for nine or 18. Carts were $3 for nine and $5 for 18.

A Cain Creek ad, that appeared in the Danville newspaper in the 1970s, featured a set of Wilson Staff irons and woods for $279 and Haig Ultras for $249. Titleist golf balls were $11 a dozen while Ping putters went for $16 and Ray Cook putters for $15.

Cain Creek was noted for its good greens all year, along with Bermuda fairways overseeded with rye in the fall.

Poteat said he had help running the course, with Earl Adkins serving as his partner for a short term and Wayne Yates and Ricky Adkins serving as his greenskeepers. Yates and Adkins also started playing golf while working on the course and both became better-than-average players.

The role of best golfer at Cain Creek, however, went to the late Kenneth Jones.

"Ricky (Adkins) was a good golfer but I would have to say Kenneth Jones was the best," said Poteat.

Davis agrees. "Kenneth Jones was the best. Cain Creek had a unique third hole and Kenneth could drive the ball over the trees and have a wedge to the green.

"The first and second holes were reachable off the tee and everyone tried to get one or two under there because they knew a high number was possible at No. 3."

Davis also recalls the camaraderie at Cain Creek and the many games of 'Tonk' in the clubhouse following the days' play and on rainy days.

"There's not a time I don't think of playing golf and tonk at Cain Creek when I go to Sir Richards or even when I just drive by the area."

Gibson agreed that Kenneth Jones was the best player. "I was just starting to play and I was about 19 at the time, and I marveled at the way he could hit a ball and score.

"Cain Creek got a lot of us started playing this game, and most of us are still playing it," added Gibson in mentioning Julian Clifton, Dan Blalock, Charlie Batterman and Danny Yates.

Poteat has many memories of his 16 years at Cain Creek, but one memory stands out to this day.

"I found out that we had a young man playing at Cain Creek who was on the FBI's list of the ten most wanted criminals. He had been playing about a month and seemed very nice.

"I later found out he was wanted for murder and abusing his wife. He had escaped from prison in St. Louis, and the FBI picked him up one day at Cain Creek."