Humble beginnings for Listowel Golf Club

The Listowel Golf and Country Club has a reputation of being one of the finest clubs in Southwestern Ontario.

With its fine facilities and scenic, challenging course, it's no surprise the club has played host to many prestigious tournaments over the years.

The 27-hole course, which boasts a new clubhouse, practice green and driving range, is a far cry from the town's first golf club.

It was back in 1904 that the Listowel Golf and Tennis Club were organized. A tennis court was built and a golf course laid out in Pioneer Park (now Memorial Park) and on the adjoining river flats. Both games were enjoyed at this location until the war years brought them to an end.

Still in existence is an early postcard showing ladies in long white dresses, and gentlemen in suits and hats, playing the links in Pioneer Park.

Present Site

Following the war, in 1920, the Listowel Golf and Country Club Ltd. was organized and the present site on the northwest corner of town was acquired.

At the time, newspaper reports stated the golf club had purchased the "Sandy Kay property of 50 acres…and will transform it into splendid golf links."

But it didn't happen overnight.

A course was developed and a small clubhouse erected. It is recorded the greens were a bit flat, and the turf a might scrubby, but players were enthusiastic.

Instead of the expert groundskeepers and the variety of machines employed today, a flock of sheep kept the grass short. Besides coming at the right price, it is noted their woolly bodies absorbed misdirected balls with no apparent damage. They just kept on munching.

The sheep were replaced by a horse-drawn mower in 1927. Early minutes note special "boots" were purchased for the horse to soften its impact on the grass.

To meet the requirements of more clubhouse space, an old CNR section house was acquired. It was moved from the west side of the tracks just north of the present Kin Station to a location close to where the former clubhouse on Albert Avenue was located.

Additional Land

For the next 30 years the club improved its course and consolidated its membership.

Dozens of trees were planted, many of them by the late Dr. W.C. (Doc) Pratt. These same trees now enhance the original nine-hole course.

In 1960 additional land was purchased and the course was lengthened and further improved. A year later a new clubhouse was constructed. In 1972, an addition nearly doubled the size of the facility.

Club purchases additional 69 acres in 1980

In 1980 the club made a momentous decision. It signed an offer to purchase an additional 69.237 acres of land for the purpose of expanding the course to 18 holes.

It took nine years to develop the additional nine holes, but it was done right. The cost of the project was placed at $750,000; however, when it was finished in 1989, that was considered a bargain. Had the project been started rather than finished in 1989, it was estimated the cost would have been twice that amount.

In the fall of 1980, architect R.F. Moote, the designer of such noted courses as Iron Shores, Jamaica, was retained by the club. He presented his plans to shareholders at the annual meeting in February 1981.

Overseeing the development of the additional nine holes was property chairman J. Gregg Hemsworth. Noted for his attention to detail, Mr. Hemsworth served the club well.

Work started in 1981 with the construction of ponds and drainage. In the following two years, pond work was completed, the new No. 1 green and No. 1 men's and ladies' tees were finalized, and a new parking lot was constructed.

From 1984 through 1986 Cecil Miller and Kerr Construction moulded fairways, greens and tees, and the seeding of the fairways was completed.

In 1987 a pump house was built, and two dams were constructed on existing ponds to control the flow of water. Three bridges were built, and electrical installation was brought in from the third concession of Wallace Ward.

Trees were moved onto the new course from club property and from property adjacent to the No. 1 fairway to outline the new fairways.

Course opens for 18-hole play in 1989

The first phase of the watering system was installed on the new property on all tees and landing areas. Pumping equipment was also installed.

In 1987 six tees were seeded, four greens were drained, and the base sand of 10 to 12 inches was brought to the greens.

In 1988 the watering system was completed. Three more tees were seeded to complete the nine. Sand for the remaining five greens was brought in during the winter, approximately 250 tons per green. Grading and seeding of all greens was finalized in the fall.

In 1989, No. 14 fairway was completed; the new area below No. 3 tee was filled and seeded; and the area at No. 5 green was reworked and reseeded. Bridges were installed and another drain was installed on No. 12 fairway, next to the pond area.

Finally, right on schedule, the grand opening was held over a four-day period, June 30 to July 1989.

The official opening took place on Canada Day, with Mr. Hemsworth having the honour of making the first drive from No. 3 tee, which marked the beginning the new nine holes.

Club president Ron Bartman (now deceased) was master of ceremonies for the official opening. Guests who were piped to the third tee by a Listowel Legion piper included course architect Robert F. Moote.

The "shotgun" start to the mixed scramble was marked by a fly-past of the "Listowel Air Force," four local pilots flying in formation over the course. Pilots were Murray Bradshaw, Al Henderson, Ray Gile and Don Martin. A surprise visitor at the official opening was a B-25 Mitchell bomber from Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope.

Build Again

It was announced in the fall of 2000 that the Listowel Golf and Country club would construct a new clubhouse as part of an estimated $2.75 million project.

The project was completed this past summer and included adding nine holes to the course, construction of the clubhouse and a new maintenance shed, and building a new practice facility with a driving range and putting greens.

The club had expansion on its mind when it purchased a parcel of land behind Harvey Krotz Ford - located at the north end of Fairlane Road - in 1993. the expansion to 27 holes was carried out on parcels of land known as Part Lots 24 and 25, Concession 2.

The first round of golf was played on the new nine in June, and before opening for general play in August 2002.

New Era

In November of 2007, the Listowel Golf & Country Club was purchased by Gateman-Milloy of Kitchener. With the aim to continue to provide quality golf to Listowel and area, Gateman-Milloy raised the bar higher in terms of quality and the facility itself.

The first change for the "Listowel Golf Club", as it is now known, was to re-route the course to play as the nines were built. The original nine holes would now be played as a nine known as the Vintage, the second nine built would now be known as the Heritage, and the newest nine, formerly the East, would be known as the Millennium for its opening at the turn of the Millennium.

The Clubhouse underwent renovations in the spring of 2009 to expand the seating capacity of the Banquet Facility. What used to hold only 120 would now hold over 240. The fit and finish of the facility was addressed with new etched glass doors, and new paint and trim. A new lower patio was built with beautiful stone.

Through 2009 and 2010, more improvements such as paving the parking lot, giving the front entrance and bathrooms a complete facelift with new natural slate, and a new bar completed the upper level renovations. 

Now known for superb playing conditions and top quality service, the Listowel Golf Club is the destination in Mid-Western Ontario for great golf!  And now, it is also the top destination for weddings in North Perth!