My latest Scoregolf.com column, about movement among Canadian private clubs historically, and again in recent years, is now up.
Of course there are other courses that could be on the move. For example, I didn’t reference some of the latest rumours, like the possibility (again) of a move by York Downs, though that appears increasingly unlikely.
Anyway, here’s a taste:
Historically it has happened quite frequently. A golf club, under pressure from increasing urbanization, sells its land and moves to another location. It was commonplace in the early 20th century. Toronto Golf Club moved, as did others in the city, like Bayview and York Downs. Royal Montreal shuttled to another site in the late 1950s, leaving its Dixie Course when Dick Wilsons new blue and red monsters were ready, and Vancouvers Shaughnessy relocated to its current location in 1960.
And though it has been a while since Canadian golfers have been witness to this trend, it looks like it is happening all over again, and to some very established clubs.
In Winnipeg, Southwood Golf & Country Club will leave its land soon to move to a new Tom McBroom design. Saskatoon Golf & Country Club, which was in jeopardy from a new roadway, will see Ian Andrew move nine holes to the site of an existing public course the club operated. And, perhaps most prominently, Doug Carrick is reworking Green Acres Golf Club near Vancouver as the future home of Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, which will be forced from its current site in 25 years when its current lease expires.
