Lawrence yacht club dedicates golf path in memory of Jay Gordon

Grab your clubs and start up the golf cart, it’s time to play a round at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club’s golf course.

The Men’s Golf Club dedicated the golf cart path that runs from the 11th green to the 12th hole in honor of Jay Gordon, a former Lawrence Mayor and avid golfer, who died last year at 97.

The dedication took place on Aug. 31, right before the club’s annual Labor Day tournament.

Gordon moved to Lawrence with his wife, Eleanor in 1956 and was appointed to the village’s design board in 1961.

He was elected mayor in 1964, and held the post for two terms.

He was a prominent litigator and managing partner with the law firm of Phillips Nizer. After work, he would often go to the club and play a round of golf.

Gordon was a member of the club for over 50 years.

He was the club’s champion golfer in 1980, according to Kent Leffel, president of the men’s club.

“He passed away in May of 2023 and I asked the park commission and village if there’s a pathway that goes from the 11th green to the 12th hole, if we can rename that Jay Gordon Way as an honor to him,” Leffel said. “The mayor and the village graciously approved it.”

The motion was approved earlier in the year by the previous administration led by Alex Edelman, and was instituted by current Lawrence mayor Samuel Nahmias and the new board of trustees.

While mayor, Gordon was instrumental in acquiring land previously known as the Williams Estate that would later become the 12th, 13th and 14th holes of Lawrence’s 18-hole golf course.

This major renovation did not cost the village any money, according Nahmias

“People like Mr. Gordon inspire our board of trustees and myself as mayor, to do better for the community and the surroundings,” Nahmias said.

Jonah Schein, a longtime friend of Gordon, was appreciative of Nahmias for allowing this to move forward and for giving support for this dedication.

“Jay was a great, great friend and he and I would have lunch every Saturday without fail,” Schein said. “One of the smartest men I’ve ever met.”

Gordon also acquired the land for the club’s tennis court, established the village court and refurbished the municipality’s crest and flag.

“From what I hear about him, he was a kind-hearted, sweet, happy person who worked well with people and lived to the fullest enjoyment of life,” Nahmias said.