By Ed Stozek
For the Herald
Canada’s first golf course was established at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in 1873.
This was followed by the Royal Quebec Golf Club in 1875, the Toronto Golf Club in 1881 and the Royal Ottawa in 1891.
In Manitoba a golf course was built for the warden around the penitentiary at Stony Mountain circa 1890. It closed in 1894. Other courses opened with Virden (1892), Winnipeg (1894), Portage la Prairie (1896) and Brandon (1900).
After WWI people had more time for recreation and the game of golf grew in popularity. By 1919 there were nine golf courses in Manitoba and the number rose to 68 by 1926. From the city of Thompson to the U.S. border, there are currently over 100 golf courses in Manitoba.
One of the front page stories in the Nov. 11, 1920, edition of the Dauphin Herald indicated that a very enthusiastic meeting of gentlemen proposing the start of a golf club in Dauphin was held earlier that week at the King’s Hotel. A unanimous decision recommended “a golf club was a necessity and arrangements were underway for a suitable location with the intent that construction was to proceed that spring.”
Mr. E. Penfold, a well-known professional from the Winnipeg Golf Club, was present and offered his expertise as to the proper property required for a course.
Those in attendance agreed to get in touch with as many people as possible who expressed an interest in playing golf. For those interested in the progress of the club or answers to any questions, they were encouraged to send a letter to P.O. Box No. 500.
The following spring another meeting was convened in the Ante Room of the Town Hall. The committee appointed to look for suitable land for the course made their presentation.
In the ensuing weeks, the executive worked hard to put the finishing touches to the fairways and greens. With the help from many of the members contributing a great deal of labour, it was expected that by mid-July the course would be open.
“A few weeks ago, it was a wooded pasture and now a golf course practically ready to play. Dauphin will now have a nine-hole course second to none in the Province.” (July 21, 1921, Dauphin Herald) It was also reported that some of the “devotees of the sport had been already trying its merits for the past week and found it highly satisfactory.”
Continued wet weather in September posed some problems at the new course for match play to be finished. People in automobiles were also passing through the course and leaving the fences down.
Located on leased land from Mr. A.A. Bond, the golf course was the private property of the stock holders and only open to members.
“Mr. Bond has been more than considerate in his attitude towards the Country Club and members are asked to report to directors any case of trespassing or damage to the property of the Club.” (Sept. 22, 1921, Dauphin Herald)
The following year several of the holes had been greatly improved by the surrounding greens being cut out and packed with sand significantly reducing the stroke count by the members. The Dauphin Country Club also received a “handsome cup” from W.S. Arnold and R.J. McGuckin from the
Winnipeg firm of Salter and Arnold. The cup was on display for everyone to admire at the office of Bowman, McFadden and Company and would be presented annually to local members in open handicaps.
Various social activities were associated with the club. Two annual functions for the female and male members included the banquet in December and the Golf Club dance at the Town Hall on Easter Monday.
On Dec. 8, 1927, the annual banquet took place at the Hamilton Hotel. At that time the club had 68 members. President J. A. Campbell spoke of the near future and indicated that instead of playing nine holes they would soon have 18 holes at the prettiest golf course in Western Canada.
Not bad for a country club that started near Dauphin Beach with 50 shares initially selling to individuals at $50 apiece.
