OAKVILLE, Ont. – The storied legacy of Canadian golf courses has been collected and presented through a new interactive website designed to map out 143 years of Canadian golf course history in communities from coast to coast.
Through the combined efforts of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation, the Canadian Golf Course History website traces the journey that golf has undertaken in this country since Royal Montreal Golf Club – the nation’s first golf course – established in 1873.
The interactive website map, presented as a timeline, serves as both a historical tool and an extensive database of many golf courses – both historic and current – that have formed the Canadian golf landscape in the past 143 years. A ‘search-for-people’ function allows users to discover the course architects who have built the game in Canada along with the many PGA of Canada professionals who continue to shape it.
“While the Canadian Golf Course History website is an excellent resource to discover our many golf facilities, it also celebrates the roots of the game and maps out golf’s footprint in communities across Canada, “said Karen Hewson, Golf Canada’s Managing Director, Membership and Heritage Services.. “The interactive map helps to tell the story of golf in this country and provides a historical lens to examine the state of the game and it’s evolution over the past 143 years. Perhaps the best feature is that this map is designed to encourage participation from golfer’s across Canada; feedback, recommended edits, stories and photos are all great contributions to the map. The scope of this project depends on user engagement to ensure the best content available. There is no doubt many people will see an opportunity to contribute.
“A snapshot of the development of golf in Canada reinforces the important contributions of so many individuals—from renowned architects to talented professionals—along with the historic landmarks and breathtaking destinations that define the Canadian golf landscape,” added Hewson. “The website takes an in-depth look at not only where we are as a golfing nation, but where we have been, the steps that were taken, and the individuals who have developed the game for more than a century.”
Numerous golf courses have hosted the RBC Canadian Open, the CP Women’s Open and Golf Canada’s national amateur championships or welcomed provincial or PGA of Canada championships to their facilities. The historical database recognizes the role that hosting these championships has played in writing the story of Canadian golf.
While the Canadian Golf Course History website launched with a wealth of information, it is also a social hub to foster interaction and conversation among golf enthusiasts. Individual course profiles will allow users to share their personal tales, tips, and information. Golf clubs and individuals are invited to share in the compilation of Canadian golf history by submitting stories, photos and/or updates for golf courses in their community.
“This initiative will enhance the historical compilation of Canadian golf through crowd sourcing from within the golf community,” said Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons. “We invite courses and individuals to be a part of this living, evolving hub for Canadian golf by sharing photos and stories of their favourite facilities.”
At the time of launch, the Canadian Golf Course History website maps the information of more than 1,800 courses across Canada with new content, facts and images added daily. Each club page includes a ‘suggest an edit’ function along with an area for individuals to share their stories and provide pivotal history.
The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame would like to acknowledge Scott Burke, Dave Daye, Emily White and Laura Di Nicola for their generous contributions of time and effort that made the Canadian golf course history website possible.
Find out more or make a contribution to the Canadian Golf Course History Website by visiting www.golfcanada.ca/coursehistory.