The history of the 9-19 Club would not be complete without attempting to explain how a stuffed animal could become important to a group of golfers. From hearsay, it appears that this stuffed animal arrived one day as a gift to Chuck Doerger who, being of sound mind, gave it to 9-19 as a mascot. The records do not include the date of the mascot’s arrival, but it soon became known as the Beaver and played a significant role in the life of 9-19 for approximately 30 years.

It became a tradition that the leadership of the Club would change hands at the Annual Ladies Night event. At that time, the new leader would don a Davey Crockett hat, gently stroke the rich fur of the mascot, and assume the title of “Beaver”. Each retiring “Beaver” attempted to make the mascot more attractive by adorning it with some unusual outfit. During his year of leadership, the “Beaver” was expected to display the stuffed mascot in some very prominent spot in his home such as the attic or basement. In 1984, after nearly 30 years of living in damp basements and hot attics, the rich fur of the Club’s mascot began to deteriorate and fall out. In fact, the Beaver became a really scruffy bedraggled mess. From hearsay, again, it was decided that such a faithful and loyal mascot deserved to be disposed of in a manner befitting his esteemed position. All agreed it would be most appropriate for the Beaver to be buried on the grounds of his beloved Wilmington Country Club.

Retiring “Beaver”, Bud Lank, commissioned his life-long friend and fellow lawyer, Frank Gentile, to make a suitable wood coffin. Bud’s wife, Cathy, lined the inside of the coffin with a beautiful, red-colored floral satin cloth, and dressed the Beaver in a specially made (for him) Philadelphia Phillies red tee shirt and shorts.

The funeral was set for June 13, 1984, which coincided with the 30th Anniversary celebration of the 9-19 Club. Shortly after 6:00 p.m., the 9-19ers, with cocktails in hand, escorted the Beaver’s coffin from the Clubhouse to the gravesite located between the 13th tee and the 18th green of the North Course. Ron Davis, garbed in a clergy robe, delivered a most fitting eulogy that did not leave a dry eye among the many mourners. As the coffin was lowered to its final resting place, fresh rose buds were sprinkled upon it. Ironically, it is reported that the Beaver was not a beaver at all but an Otter.

The 9-19 Club has been without a mascot since the Beaver’s funeral, but the tradition of the new leader donning the Davey Crockett hat and assuming the title of “Beaver” continues today.