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PensacolaYacht ClubDedicatesNew SailingCenterBy Julie B. ConnerleyChartered in 1908, Pensacola Yacht Club is celebrating itscentennial all year long. What better way to begin thenext century for future sailors than to dedicate a new sailingcenter built entirely by the generosity of PYC members?The James C. Watson Sailing Center was officiallyopened with the customary ribbon cutting and champagnetoasts on February 28.PYC Commodore Stephen Solice welcomed the gatheredcrowd. “It is not just four walls and a roof but a specialplace to see our junior sailors grow to be adults, a place forour members to meet for an afternoon and a great place togather before and after a regatta.”Solice thanked all the PYC members who contributed,as well as PYC staff who also donated, and gave specialrecognition to members who donated their time and skills tobuild the approximately $375,000 building.“Besides our board of directors and past commodoresLarry Bowyer, Chip MacMillan, John Matthews, RogerMoraski, and GYA Commodore Ron Richards, I’d like tothank former fleet captain Bernie Knight who served aschairman of the sailing center project, members JohnMathis, contractor; Joe Moore electrical contractor; andWalter Smith, architect.”As chair of the long-range planning committee,Commodore Emeritus Roger Moraski gave some history.“In 1997 there was a proposal to replace the dockmaster’sbuilding at an estimated cost of $105,000. In 2000, the committeeminutes included building a sailing center at docksidereplacing the current maintenance shed; covered pavilionon a slab with large open areas; small boat storage; sailingdirector’s office; junior clubhouse; and a short order grillon the upper level.”Hurricane Ivan obliterated the dockmaster’s office andmaintenance shop in 2004, but gave the long-range plans,under then Commodore Larry Bowyer’s flag, new priorityfor storm recovery.Unfortunately, construction costs after back-to-backhurricane seasons made it obvious that private donationswould have to fund the project.Moraski continued, “Past commodores Bowyer andRon Richards began the fundraising, followed by PYCmembers Tom and Dick Pace.”However, it was PYC member, George Gamble, whoseContributors to PYC’s new James C. Watson Sailing Center wave from the deckoverlooking Bayou Chico.single largest contribution ensured there was money in thebank to start the project.Because of Gamble’s generosity, he was given the privilegeof naming the new center. He chose to name it after JamesC. Watson, whose name is equated with PYC’s beginnings.Pensacola native Watson was a charter member in theformation of PYC, served as its first regular commodore in1908 and was reelected in 1909. He also served as fleet captainfor several years.When the first Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Regatta wasorganized April 15, 1920, “Captain Jim” as he was alwaysknown, skippered PYC’s winning team against SouthernYacht Club’s Lipton team. In October that same year at adinner celebrating the Lipton Cup competition, plans toform a yachting association, which was to become known asthe Gulf Yachting Association, were presented.“Commodore Watson’s vision gave us our first 100 years,and his building begins our second century,” said Moraski.Fittingly, the man who was born in Pensacola 135 yearsago was honored on the day following his birthday!Watson’s grandchildren, Brent Watson and Dreda W.Grimes, along with their spouses, Judy and Larry, attendedthe dedication ceremony.Both Brent and Dreda learned to sail on PensacolaBay—as did their grandfather, who spent all his 89 years inPensacola.“My dad would have been very pleased to see howthis yacht club has grown,” began Brent Watson. “Hewould have been honored to have this beautiful facilitynamed for him.”Brent Watson, also a Pensacola native, learned to sailusing PYC’s fleet of Fish boats. “We started the junior yachtclub in the building that now houses the swimming poolequipment,” he smiled.When contacted after the ceremony, Watson shared afun fact about his granddad. “Most people knew my grandfatheras Captain Jim,” he laughed, “not because of his sailingskills, but because he had attained the rank of captain inthe militia.”But the name fit, and because of Captain Jim, PYC, “theSouth’s finest yacht club” takes its place among those yachtclubs that have a distinction of celebrating over 100 years ofsailing and boating camaraderie.28 April 2008 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com