The Early Years

In 1920, a foursome at San Gabriel Country Club had this far-fetched notion of wanting to create their own private country club. Samuel M. Newmark, Louis Isaacs, Karl Triest and Joseph Y. Baruh spent several weeks quietly searching for a suitable site and finally came across a charming little parcel of rolling hills on Pico Boulevard, a half day's drive from downtown on an old dusty road, owned at the time by the Huntington Land and Water Company.

Mr. Newmark and Mr. Isaacs paid $5,000 to Mr. Huntington for a purchase option on the land. A Board of Directors was subsequently comprised and authorized the purchase of 142 acres of land at a cost of $50,000 plus the expenditure of an additional $550,000 toward the cost of the golf course and clubhouse construction.

The rest, as they say, is history, and, it goes without saying, is our collective good fortune.

Growth

During the first years of Hillcrest’s existence, it quickly became recognized as one of the premier country clubs in the nation. Prominent members of the community flocked to join. Among those applying for membership were some of the most famous and highly visible personalities in the motion picture business such as Jack Warner, Samuel Goldwyn, Adolph Zukor and Louis B. Mayer.

The Round Table

The most cherished area on the massive grounds of Hillcrest Country Club probably isn't on the golf course, in fact, it's not on any of the tennis courts nor in either of the locker rooms.

Hillcrest’s most famous site is undeniably a large, round oak table that rests inconspicuously in The Grill. To outsiders this looks like a comfortable place to rest one's weary legs, however, to any member of Hillcrest, this solid piece of wood is simply known as "The Round Table".

As Arthur Marx wrote in an article some time ago- "The Hillcrest Round Table of Comedians, a comedic moniker playing off New York’s renown Algonquin Round Table frequented by writers and intellectuals of the '20's, didn't begin as a club at all. It came about because Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Harpo, Chico and Groucho Marx, George Jessel, Eddie Cantor, Lou Holtz, the Ritz Brothers, Danny Kaye and George Burns all liked to play golf, and in order to play they had to belong to a club. Because they were Jewish, however, they couldn't join most of the swank clubs like the Bel-Air, Wilshire, Riviera and Los Angeles country clubs-which back in the 30's and 40's were open only to gentiles. So they found their way to Hillcrest. Since this cast of characters had been friends since their vaudeville days, when they used to eat regularly at a greasy spoon called “Wolpin's” off Times Square, waiting for the day they would finally get a booking at the famed Palace Theater next door, they naturally gravitated toward one another and shared the same table at lunch. And thus was born the notorious Round Table.”

Lou Holtz and George Jessel had no other reason but the food to join Hillcrest; neither played golf. Both, in fact, were careful never to stray from the dining room or card rooms into the outdoors. Once when they accidentally opened the wrong door and found themselves out on the terrace facing the panorama of the green fairways and blue sky, Jessel exclaimed, "My God, how long has that golf course been here?"

Groucho Marx famously said, “I would never be a member of a Club which would have me as one of its members…” just before he and the other Marx brothers joined Hillcrest Country Club.

Hillcrest Country Club

Composers & Lyricists Wall of Fame

	Al Jolson (1886–1950), known as "The World's Greatest Entertainer," was a pioneering performer of stage and screen. Born Asa Yoelson in Lithuania, he immigrated to the U.S. and became a vaudeville sensation. Jolson's dynamic performances, including his iconic blackface routines, made him a superstar of the 1920s and 1930s. Best known for starring in The Jazz Singer (1927), the first feature-length talkie, Jolson's influence on American music and film is enduring. Despite controversy over his use of blackface, he was a vocal advocate for African-American artists. His hits include "Swanee" and "Mammy."
	Gus Kahn (1886–1941) was a German-born lyricist whose work became synonymous with the Great American Songbook. Collaborating with composers like Walter Donaldson and Isham Jones, Kahn created timeless hits such as "It Had to Be You," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," and "I'll See You in My Dreams." He moved to Chicago as a child and later worked in Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood. Known for his romantic and heartfelt lyrics, Kahn's work remains a hallmark of classic popular music.
	Sigmund Romberg (1887–1951) was a Hungarian-American composer best known for his operettas and Broadway musicals. Trained in Vienna, he brought European sophistication to American music. His most celebrated works include The Student Prince, The Desert Song, and The New Moon. With lush melodies like “Deep in My Heart, Dear” and “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise,” Romberg became one of the most successful composers of his time, shaping the Golden Age of operetta.
	Irving Berlin (1888–1989), born Israel Beilin in Russia, was one of America’s greatest songwriters. He wrote over 1,500 songs, including classics like "God Bless America," "White Christmas," and "There's No Business Like Show Business." A self-taught musician, Berlin’s work spanned Broadway, Hollywood, and patriotic anthems. Known for his ability to capture the American spirit, Berlin's contributions to music and culture were profound, making him a symbol of the American Dream.
	Grace Leboy Kahn (1890–1983) was a composer and the wife of lyricist Gus Kahn. A talented pianist and songwriter, she collaborated with Kahn on several projects and was a key influence on his career. Her compositions, often featured in vaudeville, showcased her knack for crafting memorable melodies. Though less well-known than her husband, Grace was a significant figure in early 20th-century American music.
	Martin Broones (1892–1971) was a composer and music executive known for his contributions to film and theater music. Working at MGM during Hollywood's Golden Age, he composed scores for numerous films and oversaw the music department. His work blended classical and popular styles, contributing to the era’s cinematic magic.
	Harry Warren (1893–1981) was an American composer and pioneer of film music, penning over 800 songs and 42 Oscar-nominated hits, including classics like "At Last" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and “Lullaby of Boradway. He won three Academy Awards and was a key figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals.
	Arthur Freed (1894–1973) was a lyricist and producer who helped define the MGM musical era. He wrote musical classics like "Singin' in the Rain." As the head of MGM's "Freed Unit," he produced some of the most celebrated musicals of all time, including "The Wizard of Oz."
	Irving Caesar (1895–1996) was a prolific American lyricist and composer best known for his work in Broadway musicals and popular songs. His most famous songs include "Tea for Two" and "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes." Caesar's career spanned decades, during which he collaborated with composers like Vincent Youmans and Harry Warren. His songs became standards in the Great American Songbook, known for their catchy melodies and clever, sometimes whimsical lyrics. Caesar was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was influential in shaping the popular music landscape of the early 20th century.