During 1907 the course routing and selection of which of the template holes to use was determined, and construction began and although I'm not certain, it's likely that seeding was done that fall.
After what is chronicled as a Turf Failure in 1907-1908 in George Bahto's tremendous book, "The Evangelist of Golf", it seems by February 1908 things might be looking up, as evidenced in this copying of letters between Hutchinson and Macdonald.
One other item of note. At this date, it seems the bunkering is sparse, and only those that needed to be directly copied based on the holes they were modelled from seem to have been completed. Macdonald wants to dig the others after more careful observation, study, and play.
The club was incorporated in May of 1908, as this article mentions;
This fabulous article from August, 1908, well past routing, layout, and construction and heavily into grow-in very surprisingly mentions that Walter Travis was still on the project at that time.
Does anyone know if that's accurate, or know when Travis actually either left or was asked to leave the project??
In CBM's book he tells us he "dropped Travis". George Bahto's book makes it appear that Travis left at some point of his own accord. Does anyone know what actually happened, and when? I believe their imbroglio over the Schnectady Putter banning wasn't until 1909 if that was the impetus.
It's also interesting that CBM was in near constant contact with Horace Hutchinson, obviously seeking and respecting his good advice and suggestions.
This article from September 5th, 1909 takes a skeptical, if somewhat misguided view of Whigham's contentions on penalizing bunkers. During that year, the first very tentative play on the course is begun, probably just between CBM and his closest project advisors.
Finally, in May 1910, the announcement that the course is soon ready to open. It would open unofficially in July of that year with a small, three day "Tournament" among a few invited guests which was won by baseball player John Ward. The course would open officially the following year.
This article from July 1910, which unfortunately is not very readable, mentions that the course is opening up for some "informal" Founder and member play.