CANADA

Golf in Canada: Where Wilderness Meets World-Class Fairways

Golf in Canada is a tapestry of rugged landscapes, historic courses, and a thriving modern golf culture.

The sport’s roots trace back to 1873 with the founding of the Royal Montreal Golf Club, the oldest in North America, established by Scottish immigrants who brought their passion for the game.

Early courses like St.

Andrew’s in Toronto (1876) and Royal Quebec (1875) reflected British influences, with heathland designs and strategic bunkering.

The 20th century saw a boom in course construction, led by architects like Stanley Thompson, whose work, such as Banff Springs (1928), embraced Canada’s dramatic terrain.

Key regions include the Rocky Mountains, where alpine courses like Jasper Park Lodge (1925) offer jaw-dropping vistas; the Maritime provinces, with coastal layouts like Cabot Links (2012) mimicking Scottish links; and Ontario’s Muskoka region, where granite outcrops and forests define courses like Muskoka Bay Club (2006).

Signature courses highlight Canada’s diversity: Cabot Cliffs (2016), co-designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, combines clifftop holes with ocean views; Hamilton Golf & Country Club (1894), a classic Harry Colt design, has hosted multiple Canadian Opens; and Capilano Golf & Country Club (1937), a Thompson masterpiece, winds through West Vancouver’s rainforests.

Player development thrives through programs like Golf Canada’s Junior Girls Squad, which produced stars like Brooke Henderson, a 12-time LPGA winner, and Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters champion.

Golf tourism peaks from May to October, with packages combining play at Cabot or Whistler with wildlife tours or wine tastings in Niagara.

Sustainability efforts are robust, with courses like Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu achieving Audubon certification for wildlife protection, and Tobiano Golf Course using drought-resistant grasses to conserve water.

Future projects include the Arctic Golf Course in Nunavut, set to be the world’s northernmost 18-hole layout, and Toronto’s bid for a PGA Tour event by 2026.

Canada’s golf identity lies in its harmony with nature, from mountain-backed fairways to coastal dunes, offering a uniquely wild yet refined experience..