Edmonton Country Club

since 1896

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History

Legacy on the Greens

A remarkable history spanning over a century.

A NOTABLE HISTORY

The history of the Edmonton Country Club extends to the late 19th century and golf has been played on these same venerable grounds since 1911. Graced with stunning city views and mature parkland style fairways, members enjoy immaculate course conditions where every detail matters.

1896

The Edmonton Golf Club – the predecessor to the current Edmonton Country Club – was established on April 4, 1896. At that time, Edmonton was still part of the Northwest Territories.

The club started with 14 members. The golf course was a rudimentary five-hole loop situated near the current legislative grounds and Victoria Park Golf Course.

1898

The Hudson’s Bay Company Cup, is the oldest golf award in Alberta started in 1898. The trophy resides with the club today and continues to be presented annually.

1911

Due to a growing city, plans were set in motion to move west and roughly 12km up the North Saskatchewan River. This was developed for golf and is the current home of the Edmonton Country Club.

By 1912, the top 10 holes, generally where the front nine and the closing hole reside today, opened for play. Construction of the eight holes in the lower flats proceeded, along with seeding of the adjoining polo and cricket grounds.

One year later, the original 18-hole course was ready to host the 1913 Alberta Golf Association Championship.

1920

The club’s first foot bridge, spanning 290 feet, was opened to cross the steep gorge from the finishing hole’s tee to green. Today’s suspension bridge opened in 2008 and is the third such landmark in the club’s history. Immediately visible from the entrance road and clubhouse, the dramatic bridge is an integral piece of the club’s identity.

1925

Club professional, Dunc “Scotty” Sutherland, takes on Walter Hagen in front of 800 spectators. The Edmonton Journal proclaimed the event “the greatest exhibition of golf Edmontonians have been privileged to witness”. A legend in the game, Hagen lived a flamboyant lifestyle that was supported by regularly playing exhibition matches throughout North America. Sutherland led the match after 9 holes, it was tied after 16 holes, but Hagen would ultimately prevail.

1936

The new back nine opened for golfers in April. Bill “Pop” Brinkworth, the club’s superintendent and club professional created the layout and oversaw construction of the new back nine. This new “upper” nine holes replaced the original “lower” lands eight holes and is the same general layout in use today.

1945

Canada’s most recognized and respected golf course architect, Stanley Thompson, was hired to enhance the original course design. Club records show that he directed improvement efforts on several holes from 1945-1949. Mr. Thompson would later use a photo of the club’s 18th hole in an ad promoting his company’s services.

1961

Gary Cowan wins the Men’s Canadian Amateur in a 35-hole match over Winnipeg’s Ted Homeniuk. Cowan later became known for winning the U.S. Amateur twice, Ontario Amateur nine times, and becoming a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

1974

The Canadian Ladies’ Amateur Championship was won by Debbie Massie. To date, the club has hosted two national amateur championships plus thirty-six provincial championships, the first in 1913 and the most recent in 2021.

1984

The first Wayne Gretzky Golf Classic charity tournament. Gretzky along with several of his star teammates like Mark Messier and Grant Fuhr were active Country Club members during the Oilers’ Stanley cup winning glory years of 1980’s

1989

The current day clubhouse was opened. Consistently praised for its grand stature and elegant appearance, dining areas and patios offer dramatic views of the city’s downtown and river valley. This is the fourth clubhouse on the current property since 1911.

1996

The club celebrated its centennial by hosting the du Maurier Classic. The tournament was one of four “majors” on the LPGA tour and was won by England’s Laura Davies with a cumulative score of 11 under par. Karrie Webb and Meg Mallon share the ladies course record, both posting scores of 65 during the competition.

2014

Masters Champion, and Canadian golfing legend, Mike Weir graced the club’s lush fairways. His appearance supported his foundation’s annual fundraising efforts and that year’s event raised almost $700,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

2019

Canadian, Taylor Pendrith, fires a sizzling final round 62 to claim victory in the Edmonton stop of the PGA Tour Canada circuit. Countless future PGA Tour players have honed their talent and hosted Edmonton stop five times since 2001.

2021

The club celebrated its 125th anniversary. In August, members overwhelmingly supported proceeding with an extensive golf course renovation. With nearly 40 years experience in golf design, architect Ian Andrew was chosen to lead the project. Mr. Andrew’s impressive resume includes similar work at Canadian Open venues, St. Georges, Oakdale, and TPC Toronto.

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2023

Golf course construction got underway that included completely rebuilding all new green sites, bunkers, several tees, and short game practice areas.

2024

New golf course greens and bunkers begin opening for play in stages starting mid-summer.