Ahem, this story has been in the Hamilton Spectator for months, but the news is final: Hamilton’s Glendale, which I quite liked, has been acquired by ClubLink. I’m betting it is the only course in the ClubLink stable where one plays a tee shot over the fairway of another hole…
I like the bit in the press release about Glendale turning to ClubLink because of the company’s “reputation for customer service and operational excellence.” Oh that and the fact Glendale was going bankrupt.
ClubLink announced today that it has acquired Glendale Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario, its 23rd golf club in the Greater Toronto Area, joining such flagship courses as Glen Abbey, King Valley, Greystone and RattleSnake Point, for approximately $3.2 million.
“Glendale has a long and proud history and we look forward to continuing that reputation,” said ClubLink President and CEO Rai Sahi. “The Hamilton area is an active and growing golf market and Glendale will complement the magnificent Heron Point Golf Links, our existing club in the area, very nicely.”
Brad Hoad, President of Glendale Golf and Country Club, said ClubLink’s reputation for customer service and operational expertise made the decision obvious. “The members of Glendale Golf and Country Club are eagerly anticipating the many benefits of being part of ClubLink, including the opportunity for reciprocal play at so many other fine courses.”
Glendale, founded in 1919, was one of the first private clubs in the Hamilton area. More than 500 of the club’s members volunteered over several months to build the course, which has had a vigorous and entertaining history. For example, found on the property is Smugglers Cave, a brick-lined cavern purported to be used by rumrunners during Prohibition.
Within the ClubLink family, Glendale will be categorized as a Gold-level Member Club. ClubLink has committed to infuse capital into the property in the areas of cart paths, bunkers and clubhouse renovations.
Lose members, go bankrupt, and then get hired by the R.C.G.A. as Managing Director of Membership Programs. Might as well name that program ‘The Titanic’.
Steve – Don’t you mean ‘Golf Canada’?…
Weekender-Don’t you mean ‘Golf Club Members of Canada’?
Yep. 🙂
RT,
The 12th hole at King’s Riding (ClubLink Course) plays over the green of the eleventh
Tom: Does it really? Only ever played King’s Riding once. I’m sure you are right — but is that a true crossover hole? At Glendale we’re talking about a hole with the tee 40 yards above the 18th fairway and you hit clear across it to a green on the other side of the valley. Strange, but quite functional.
The 15th is a great par 3 and being well above the 18th the wind factor is enormous. An 8 iron to a hybrid from the back tee depending on the wind with no bail out area.
It is good that this story is finally over as, sadly, the club has been so poorly run for a long time. The holdup in closing is just another example. I understand they had three opinion to vote on but only one member failed to vote for Clublink.