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 1912.
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 and the golf course was a rudimentary five-hole loop situated near the current Alberta Legislature grounds.
1898
This Hudson’s Bay Company Cup was first awarded to that year’s club champion. The historic trophy resides with the club today and continues to be presented annually.
1911
As the city grew, plans were set in motion to move west and roughly 12km up the North Saskatchewan River. This new site 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 Championships.
1920
The 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 our identity.
1925
Club professional, Dunc “Scotty” Sutherland, took 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, who was also the course superintendent and golf professional created the layout and oversaw construction of the new back nine. The 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 won the Canadian Men’s 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
Debbie Massey won the Canadian Ladies’ Amateur. To date, we have hosted two national amateur championships and 36 provincial championships, the first in 1913 and the most recent in 2021. The club was recently honored by Alberta Golf as one of its five founding members.
1984
The first Wayne Gretzky Golf Classic charity tournament was held. Gretzky along with other Oilers star players like Mark Messier and Grant Fuhr were active members during the team’s Stanley Cup winning dynasty years.
1989
The current day clubhouse was unveiled. Widely praised for its grand stature and elegance, our inviting dining areas and patios offer dramatic views of the city’s downtown and river valley. This is the fourth clubhouse on the 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 an amazing $680,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
2019
Canadian, Taylor Pendrith, fired a sizzling final round of 62 to claim victory in the Edmonton stop of the PGA Tour Canada circuit. Starting in 2001, the Country Club hosted that tour’s Edmonton event five times, with countless young players progressing to have successful PGA Tour careers.
2021
The club celebrated its 125th anniversary. In August, members overwhelmingly endorsed moving forward with an extensive golf course renovation. With nearly 40 years of 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.
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 began opening for play in stages starting mid-summer.
