1946 - 1954 | History of Sapphire Valley

The Tatem Surf Club

Tatum Surf Club

In 1946, Tatum Wofford (often spelled "Tatem" in historical records) purchased the Sapphire Valley property to create the Tatum Sky Club.

Following the success of his Tatum Surf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, Wofford envisioned a high-altitude counterpart in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under his leadership, the resort introduced several unique "Sky Club" features:

Aviation Focus: Wofford built an on-site air strip to allow guests to fly directly into the valley. This airfield was located on the land that currently serves as the driving range for the Country Club of Sapphire Valley.

Modern Amenities: His development plans included the construction of new cabins and the addition of an ice rink.

Four Points by Sheraton

Tatum Surf Club / Sky Club

There are many stories about how the Tatum Sky Club developed and how the old Fairfield Inn was used – one story alleges that the Sky Club was actually a ‘gentlemen’s’ club, but the details may very well be lost to history.

Tatum Sky Club - The Fairfield Inn

Tatum Sky Club

Life at the Fairfield Inn during the Sky Club Era
During this period, the historic Fairfield Inn served as the central hub for the Sky Club's guests.

Accommodations: Guests arriving at the resort would stay at the Inn, which maintained its reputation for relaxed mountain atmosphere and high-ceilinged guest rooms.

Modernization: Wofford’s plans for the property were ambitious, including the construction of an ice rink and several new cabins scattered throughout the valley.

"Gentlemen's Club" Rumors: Local lore suggests that during the Wofford years, the Sky Club may have operated with a more exclusive or "gentlemen's club" atmosphere, though specific historical details of these operations remain unverified.

THE TATEM SKY CLUB AIR FIELD

THE TATUM SKY CLUB AIR FIELD

The airfield used by the Tatem Sky Club was later used as the driving range for the Sapphire Valley Inn and Country Club. Even during the early days of the Sapphire Valley Inn and Country Club many planes buzzed the range to clear the strip for landing.

In this image, guest arrive by plane and are taken over the to the Sapphire Valley Inn, aka Fairfield Inn.

Only after some pine trees got a little too tall did a small plane clip the trees and wound up belly up on the 18th green. No one was hurt but the air field was closed.