I’d heard rumblings for some time, but today it was confirmed — ClubLink Corp. has acquired the noted Montreal private club Islemere, a 27 hole former Canadian Open site.
The press release doesn’t announce a price, but it is interesting for a variety of reasons. First of all, I don’t recall ClubLink ever acquiring an established private club with a membership base, with the exception of Board of Trade in Toronto, and that was a lease arrangement if I recall correctly. This could prove interesting especially if ClubLink were to pursue similar clubs in Toronto (Thornhill, Scarboro, Islington, Weston).
Apparently Islesmere says its history and traditions will remain intact. I’d be surprised — it is part of a publicly traded company (at least for now…)
Mr. Michel Bergeron, President of Club de Golf Islesmere Inc., has affirmed: “We are happy to join the ClubLink family. Islesmere is convinced it will be able to maintain its tradition and that it will strongly contribute to the success of ClubLink in Quebec, through the quality of its course and of its members and by reason of its notoriety.”
The club does have a terrific history:
Islesmere has held many important tournaments, which contributed to its reputation including: Quebec Open, Montreal Open, Canadian PGA Championship and Canadian Open. Past winners of these events include Willie Lamb, Bob Gray, Stan Leonard, Moe Norman, Doug Ford and Lord Byron Nelson. Byron’s win at Islesmere included a course record 63 and quickly became part of the PGA Tour history. This victory was part of Byron’s record 11 consecutive victories during that 1945 season.
Love how they added “Lord” to Byron Nelson, like it was a real title.
Oh, and who is this “Mr. Willie Parkes Jr.” that is referenced in the release. I don’t know that guy, but I’m pretty sure they meant course designer Willie Park Jr., one of the best known golf architects in history. Oops. It looks bad when you’re heralding the acquisition of a historic club and you can’t get the designer’s name correct.
The entire press release can be found here.
Robert, Clublink acquired Cedarbrook, a private jewish club near Montreal, in 1999. This club had more than 300 members at the time.
Willie Park Jr. designed 18 holes. Howard Watson designed the other 9.
Robert, Clublink acquired Cedarbrook, a private jewish club near Montreal, in 1999. This club had more than 300 members at the time.
For Islesmere, Willie Park Jr. designed 18 holes. Howard Watson designed the other 9.
Clublink never acquired Cedarbrook. It’s not a Clublink course.
It would be nice if the expanded their list of courses in Quebec. Royal Montreal maybe?? That’d be sweet…
Mark,
Cedarbrook was renamed to Val Des Lacs, a Clublink course
ClubLink always purchases clubs with an established membership base. The clubs are usually in some sort of financial situation. I know I’m late on this but still.
Mark, hate to break it to you. Any course with “Royal” in front of it will never be bought by ClubLink… EVER.