Glengarry Golf & Country Club, Original Seven Directors
Prior to 1961, talk of having a golf course in Alexandria was just talk. At that time there were about 30 avid local golfers who loved the game, but had to travel to Hawkesbury or Cornwall to play. During a round of golf in Hawkesbury, the Glengarry News Rambling Reporter, editor Eugene MacDonald, noticed how many Alexandria area players he was seeing on the course. In an editorial in July 1960, he commented on the need for a local course, writing that if local golfers got together and pooled their resources, then Alexandria could have its own playable nine hole course in a year or two. Reaction to this editorial was encouraging.
That same summer Gene and his brother Ron, a fellow golfer, spent a few hours scouting locations in and around Alexandria for a proper golf course setting. After checking various properties, they settled on the present property east of Alexandria owned at that time by two brothers, Frank and Stuart McCormick. This land appeared to have all the necessary requirements: water, trees and a proper terrain. It was “an ideal natural setting with the Gary River winding through it ands with its wealth of trees. Many large city golf courses have been started without the natural attributes you have here,” remarked golf pro, Alistair Kerr, brought in to look over the site. And on the property, as well, was the previous home of famous Canadian Artist Stuart McCormick which could be and was used as the first clubhouse
In 1961, the property was obtained. A front page article of the News in May 1961 headlined “Plan Golf Course at Alexandria” told of the progress, promising playable fairways by midsummer. A seven man provisional committee had formed and a 90 day option had been taken out on the property. Besides a keen interest in golf these men had the ability to get things done. Eugene Macdonald, Editor of the Glengarry News was in charge of collecting charter memberships; Bruno Lemieux was in charge of ground improvement as the land had to be transformed; Hugh A. McDonald, a hydro worker, was experienced in clearing and cutting of trees as well as being an avid gardener; Ronald Macdonald’s expertise was in the area of finance and bookkeeping and as such was a great asset. Lloyd (Red) McHugh and Arthur Contant, well known hotel keepers and businessmen, brought business experience to the group. Bernard Villeneuve, a popular Alexandria dentist, rounded out the group of seven. After a meeting on May 22, Gabe Aubrey, an Alexandria lawyer, was asked to apply for a charter and the quest for members began.
A golf pro was brought in to lay out the fairways and temporary greens, but before the course could be laid out, the clearing of the land was started by Hugh Allan and Bruno Lemieux. With a chain-saw, Hugh Allan began cleaning the tangle of thorn-apple trees and brush blocking the area that would become the first hole. Bruno was busy removing fences and bringing the grass under control. Later bulldozers were brought in to finish the job.
Ads went out to attract shareholders and charter members. One hundred charter members was the goal each contributing id=”mce_marker”00. As an indication of how popular the idea of a golf course was is that membership totals grew from 18 to 75 in one week. More editorials from The News followed as well as a large ad seeking members. A front page article in June 15, 1961 announced that some fairways were ready to hit a ball around and that membership had reached 93. Regular reports in the News had five holes ready by the July 1st weekend in areas relatively tree and brush free, although with no greens ready. Thirty golfers had played that weekend and membership stood at 101. The first organizational meeting of the Glengarry Golf and Country Club was held on July 3, 1961 drawing 40 of the 105 members at the time. With five holes in play, yearly memberships were set at $20, with green fees of id=”mce_marker”.00. By July 20, the golfers had taken over a room in Stuart McCormick house and turned it into a 19th hole and pro shop.
By August 3rd, the News reported 92 green fees paid in the first two weeks of play. By September 7th, an editorial announced that six fairways and three temporary greens were ready and that 25 new charter members would provide the funds to complete the nine holes by next year. By September 15, it announced that the three final holes would be completed that fall.
Letters Patent were received under date of October 16, 1961, naming the original seven members of the Provisional committee as Charter Directors of the Glengarry Golf and Country Club Limited.
In 1962, the first nine holes opened for play. The club’s first competition was held July 5, 1962 with 52 golfers out. One of Canada’s top golfers from earlier times, Ben Kerr, arrived in July to oversee construction and to promote the course and give lessons.
Over the course of the next 35 years continual improvements were made to the golf course including the addition of an irrigation system. In 1971, the current clubhouse was completed. In 1989, the back nine designed by the present day Mayor of Glengarry, Grant Crack, opened for play and brought an added challenge to the course by bringing the Delisle River and Marcoux Stream into play. In 1990, a new Pro Shop was built and includes a large showroom for equipment as well as an office, storage area and a repair facility.
This year, on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Glengarry Golf and Country Club, the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame will induct the original seven directors: Eugene Macdonald (previously inducted in 1981), Arthur Contant, “Red” McHugh, Hugh A. McDonald, Bruno Lemieux, Ronald Macdonald and Bernie Villeneuve. Their dream of a local golf course, their ability to see rolling farmland and envision fairways and greens, as well as their skills and hard work created the gem which thousands of Glengarrians and others have enjoyed over the last half century. We thank these seven, and we welcome them into the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame.
