The oldest golf course in Canada is The Royal Montreal Golf Club, founded on November 4, 1873. This makes it not only Canada's first golf club, but also the oldest in continuous existence in North America. This article will walk you through the rich history of this legendary club, explore what makes it so special today, and also look at a few other historic courses that have shaped the game in Canada.
There's a reason the undisputed champion for the "oldest golf course in Canada" title is The Royal Montreal Golf Club. While a few other clubs have made historical claims, Royal Montreal's founding is well-documented and officially recognized. It all started with a small group of eight gentlemen, primarily Scottish immigrants, who gathered in a meeting at the Montreal office of the Royal Insurance Company. Led by Alexander Dennistoun, they formally established a golf club, bringing the ancient game to Canadian soil in an organized fashion.
It's important to understand the a common point of confusion: while the physical location of the course has moved over the past 150+ years, the club itself has been in continuous operation since that meeting in 1873. In the world of golf history, the continuous existence of the club (the organization, its members, and its governance) is the standard measurement for "oldest," not whether the first hole is still played on the exact same patch of grass.
The story of Royal Montreal is the story of golf's growth in Canada. It's a tale of humble beginnings, royal recognition, and the need to adapt and grow with the times.
The club's first rounds weren't played on a perfectly manicured course as we imagine it today. The original nine-hole layout was laid out on a rugged, shared pasture known as Fletcher's Field, located right on the side of Mount Royal in the heart of the city. Playing here was a true test of a golfer's patience and adaptability.
Despite the challenges, interest in the game exploded. Within a decade, the club's membership had swelled, and the course felt the strain. It was clear that to survive and flourish, the club needed its own private piece of land.
A pivotal moment in the club's history came in 1884. In recognition of its status as the cradle of Canadian golf, Queen Victoria granted the clubpermission to use the "Royal" prefix. This was a tremendous honour, solidifying its place in the game's hierarchy. The Montreal Golf Club officially became The Royal Montreal Golf Club.
With this newfound prestige and a growing list of members, the club made its first major move. In 1896, it relocated to a new property in Dixie, in the parish of Dorval. Here, they finally had their own private land and built an impressive 18-hole course. This location would serve as their home for over 60 years, witnessing the evolution of the game from gutta-percha balls to the wound Haskell ball, and the swap from hickory shafts to steel.
Yet, as the city of Montreal expanded after World War II, urbanization once again encroached on the club. By the mid-1950s, the pressures of a growing city made it clear another move was necessary. The club's leadership made the decision to search for a new, permanent home, one that could secure its future for the next century.
In 1959, The Royal Montreal Golf Club moved to its current location in Île-Bizard, a sprawling 365-hectare (900-acre) property west of the island of Montreal. This was the final, definitive move that gave the club the space and stability it needed. The new property was large enough for 45 holes of golf, providing an unprecedented playground for its members.
The renowned American course architect Dick Wilson was hired to design the two main 18-hole courses: The Blue Course and The Red Course. In 1990, a nine-hole course, The Dixie, was added as a tribute to their former location. This move to Île-Bizard marked the beginning of Royal Montreal’s modern era, cementing its reputation not just as the oldest club, but as one of the world's premier golf destinations.
As a golf coach, stepping onto the grounds of Royal Montreal is like visiting a living museum of golf course architecture. The club has hosted numerous professional championships, including the Canadian Open and, most famously, The Presidents Cup in 2007, where the legendary Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player captained the American and International teams, respectively.
The famous Blue Course is the main event. It underwent a significant redesign by Rees Jones in preparazione of the 2007 Presidents Cup, and it's a masterpiece of classic, strategic design. It doesn't beat you with trickery, it challenges you to think and execute.
If you ever get the chance to play it, here’s what you need to prepare for, from a strategic point of view:
When playing a historic course like Royal Montreal, your mindset is your most important tool. You must accept that bogies will happen. The key is to avoid the "big number" that ruins a round. Don’t try to be a hero from the deep rough or take on a dangerous pin. The smartest play is often the conservative one: play for the center of the green, trust your putting, and walk away with a par. This course rewards intelligent, diciplined golf much more than it does occasional brilliance mixed with foolish risks.
While Royal Montreal holds the official crown, several other historic clubs are worth celebrating for their long and storied contributions to golf in Canada.
Victoria Golf Club holds a very special distinction: it is the oldest golf course in Canada still on its original site. Located on the stunning oceanfront of Oak Bay, it offers some of the most scenic views in Canadian golf. Playing at Victoria feels like a journey back in time, and its seaside holes are a constant reminder of the game's coastal Scottish origins.
Just two years before the American Golf Association (today's USGA) was formed for our southern neighbours, the Royal Ottawa Golf Club came to be. It’s another of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious private clubs. It quickly became the golf hub for politicians and dignitaries in the nation's capital. Like Royal Montreal, it received its "Royal" designation relatively early in its history and has been a cornerstone of Eastern Canadian golf for well over a century.
History isn't always neat, and Brantford provides a fascinating debate. The club claims a founding date of 1879, which would technically make it older than Royal Montreal. However, the documentation from this earliest period is less clear-cut than Montreal's. While records show golf was being played there in the late 1870s, the formal organization of the club as a continuous entity is most widely attributed to a later date. Regardless of the debate, it remains one of Canada’s most historic and respected clubs.
The story of Canada's oldest golf course, The Royal Montreal Golf Club, is a narrative of passion, adaptability, and a deep respect for the game's traditions. Its history, from playing in shared fields to hosting international competitions, perfectly mirrors the beautiful growth of golf in this country.
Navigating a historic layout like Royal Montreal requires smart, strategic thinking - a quality all golfers strive for. In the past, this kind of on-course wisdom came from years of experience or a pricey caddie. Now, technology puts that expert knowledge right in your pocket. As creators of Caddie AI, we made it possible for you to get instant, professional-level strategy for any hole you face. Next time you're standing on a tee, contemplating the risk and reward of a dogleg, our app can give you the smart play, helping you avoid those big numbers and play with more confidence.
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