The earliest known record of the area on which the present Kahnawake Indian Reserve is situated, dates back to 1647, when Sieur de Lauzon, a royal counsellor of France, granted to the Jesuit Order a gift of land on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, extending from what is now St. Lambert to the foot of the Lachine Rapids.
In 1667 a palisaded mission for French settlers and Iroquois converts was established on the present site of the Town of Laprairie. Ten years later a grant of additional land was obtained by the missionaries, and the settlement was moved westerly to a location which they named "Kahnawake", a word derived from the Iroquois equivalent of "Village at the Rapids".
Many developments occurred during the ensuing years until the present location of the community was established in 1716. For a time, the reservation was named "Caughnawaga" which is believed to be a Dutch version of Kahnawake, while "Kanawaki", as used in the name of the Club, is an Anglicized adaptation of the Indian version.
Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the mission was the most renowned in North America and the Indians played a prominent part in the early struggle between the French and English for control of the New World. Their superb skills as warriors, hunters and trappers, and their inherent desire for freedom sent many to outposts of the Northwest Fur Company and later the Hudson’s Bay Company. In fact wherever rivers afforded passage for their canoes, Kahnawake Indians were engaged in commerce with the white man. Because of their prowess in navigating hazardous waters, a contingent of them went on the Red River expedition of 1870, and on the Egyptian expedition for the relief of Khartoum in 1884.
In September 1902, a group of some fifty of these members undertook to organize the Outremont Golf Club. They arranged for the lease of the farm area bounded by Rockland and Pratt Avenues, and proceeded to finance the initial cost of a nine hole course. The first President was His Honour Mr. Recorder Weir, and the membership role listed 212 names. The Club continued in existence until the year 1922, although each year saw its territory further reduced by the sale of building lots.
In 1910, anticipating that a new location would sooner or later have to be found, Mr. J. Harry Birks spent much time looking over prospective sites. At one time a firm offer was made for a property in the Ville LaSalle area, near the approach to the present Mercier Bridge, but it was sold to a higher bidder. About that time an Indian named Meloche, from the Kahnawake Reserve, called on Mr. Birks to collect rent for an advertising sign on his property, and offered the suggestion that a part of the Reserve could easily be adapted to the requirements of a golf course. Arrangements were made with him to row a delegation of members, including Mr. Birks, across the river from Lachine to inspect the proposed site. They found it to be mainly swamp and dense scrub. A survey was undertaken and although the engineer’s report contained some reservations with respect to drainage problems, the decision was made to proceed.
Work on the property commenced in 1910 when numerous ditches were dug extending well beyond the Club’s boundaries. The property was completely fenced off, and the task of blasting boulders and clearing the land began. Many years previously, when the railway bridge across the St. Lawrence was built, much of the fill for the right of way embankment had been taken from the area which is now in front of the clubhouse. This accounts in part for the land feature extending from the 12th green to the 4th tee, and sweeping in a curve to the 4th green. The bowl of the 9th green was a large hole into which many tons of rock and fill were dumped to bring the bottom up to a suitable level.
The road along the west of the property is of interest as it was the old right of way of the first steam railway to connect Canada with the United States, and ran from the wharf at Kahnawake to Mooers Junction, N.Y.
The Kanawaki Golf Club was incorporated by Act of Quebec Legislature (2nd Geo V Ch 131) assented to March 14th, 1912. The act provided that all members of the Outremont Golf Club would be members of the Club. Nevertheless, the separate clubs continued to operate for the next ten years until the leases in Outremont expired. Following this, the clubs merged.
In 1913, when it was built, the clubhouse comprised the present dining room, kitchen, a locker room on the ground floor, and the dressing rooms on the second floor. It was a modest structure but served the purpose very well for the next fifteen years with only minor additions. As there was no source of electricity in the district, acetylene lamps were employed to light the premises. The supply of water came from open wells, and it was pumped into a large reservoir located under the first tee. The dining room was operated on restricted lines, and advance notice was required if members intended staying for dinner. No alcoholic beverages were allowed on the premises, and to ensure observation of this rule frequent inspection of the lockers was made and any such supplies confiscated.
Birth of the Kanawaki Golf Club
Fieldwork progressed throughout 1911 and 1912 based on a plan drawn up by Charles Murray, professional at Royal Montreal, and his brother Albert. It was not, however, until the late summer of 1913 that the course was opened for play when fifteen holes had been completed. By 1914 all eighteen holes were ready, although shortly thereafter the holes were lengthened as more and more ground was prepared.
The first board of the club consisted of D.J. Baile- J.H. Birks- H.E. Moles- F.W. Hibbard- Jas. Lewis- Thos. Drummond- Hon. R. S. Weir
Kanawaki member William McLuckie wins the Canadian Amateur Championships
Kanawaki member C.C. "Hap" Fraser wins the Canadian Amateur Championships.
The first major improvements were started when electric power was brought from Adirondack Junction, and an artesian well was bored, followed by the erection of the water tank. At this time the membership was a full strength and the clubhouse facilities were becoming increasingly inadequate.
Approval was given to the Executive Committee to start a building programme which would include adding a wing to the west of the clubhouse to accommodate the office, men’s lockers and a pro shop; an extension to the east to provide more facilities for the Ladies’ Club; and an enlargement of the kitchen and addition of a snack room.
Kanawaki hosts the 1929 Canadian Open, won by legend Leo Diegel
Kanawaki member Gordon Baxter-Taylor wins the Canadian Amateur Championships.
Kanawaki member Heather Leslie-Tennant wins the Canadian Ladies' Closed
Major changes were made to the clubhouse. They comprised of the Club Room, conversion of the Snack Room to a Men’s Lounge or Trophy Room and modernization of the front verandah.
Kanawaki member Dulcie Lyle wins the Canadian Women's Senior Championships in 1971, and the US Women's Senior Championships in 1973.
The Disney movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played", starring Shia LaBeouf, and based on the true story of Francis Ouimet and the 1913 US Open, is filmed at Kanawaki, with some of its members having the privilege of being stand-ins in the filming of the movie. Our professional John Murray provided swing coaching for the actors and can be seen as a body double in the movie for certain golf swings.
Using the funds generated from the rights to use the premises for filming of the movie "The greatest game ever played" , modernization of the clubroom, the men’s and ladies lockerroom and showers, and the hallways were completed. A trophy case was also erected. The renovations were done in the same warm and traditional style of the old building, but using modern materials.
Kanawaki celebrates its 100th anniversary. Many events are organized throughout the year.
Kanawaki is proud to be hosting in 2017 the Canadian Senior Amateur Championship.
The Kanawaki fixture card is well interspersed with competitions each year which are available to both the serious and social golfers. The Club is well endowed with trophies that attest to and perpetuate the memory of those who have shown so much interest in the Club’s welfare over the years. Several of the trophies were inherited from the Outremont Golf Club and are still competed for annually.
It would perhaps be of interest to many to know something of the origin of the main trophies which are displayed in the Trophy Room:
Club Championship Trophy – This very handsome trophy was presented by Mrs. J. Harry Birks in 1949 in memory of her late husband who had been so prominent in the early development of the club. It is awarded annually on a medal play basis.
In 1954 the two plaques on which the names of the winners are inscribed were donated by Donald Stewart.
Try-Davies Cup – Captain Try Davies was the president of the Outremont Golf Club in 1902 and 1903, and as one of its founders was largely responsible for selecting the site. The trophy is played for in scratch match play and a qualifying round is held early in the season to determine the 16 players to be entered in the draw. It was first played in 1903.
Daniels Cup – This trophy was presented in 1934 by Mrs. F.G. Daniels in memory of her husband who had been president of the club in 1925 and 1926 – an important period of expansion and emergence of the club. The cup is put up for competition in scratch match play and is open to members fifty-five years of age and over.
Carson Trophy – Mr. John Carson, a member, felt there was a need for stimulating the interest of the older members who had no chance in competitions for the Daniels Cup, and accordingly in 1953 presented a trophy for play on a handicap match play basis open to members fifty-five years of age and over.
Drummond Cup – This is the most popular of the Club competitions and the one within range of all members. Consequently well over half of the membership enters the competition which starts on opening day and continues through to the end of the season. Matches are played on a handicap basis. The cup was presented by Sir George Drummond KCMG to the Outremont Golf Club in 1903, and the names of golfers at all levels of skill are to be found among the winners.
C.C. "Happy" Fraser Memorial Trophy – This trophy features the putter and ball used by "Happy" Fraser when he won the Canadian Amateur Championship in 1922. It, too, is competed for by a large number of the members in four-ball better ball matches that are very popular.
Rudel Trophy – Mr. Clarence M. Rudel an ardent member who did much for the club during his lifetime, and in his memory his son, Thomas Rudel, presented a trophy for Father and Son competition in a two-ball eighteen hole stroke play.
Tin Hat Trophy – An annual competition and parade of members who have served in any capacity in the armed forces is held at the close of each season. This attractive trophy was first played for in 1935, and is awarded at a special dinner which climaxes the day long outing.
The trophy consists of the service helmet worn by Hugh Millar while serving overseas in the First World War. When first put up for competition it was the winner’s privilege to wear the tin hat during the dinner and ensuing festivities. In 1938, in order to give some permanence to the trophy it was mounted on a plaque by W.A. Clark.
Bill Taylor Executive Cup - Match Play Competition - Open to members sixty years of age and over. To be competed for over the Gold Course. Full handicap differential. Final: 18 holes.
Ogilvy Cup – This Cup was donated by Mrs. Enid Ogilvy in 1982, on behalf of the long standing association with Kanawaki of the Ogilvy family. This Cup is competed for annually by a Parent-Child teams, (other than Father & Son).
Walker Trophy – Mr. & Mrs. Harry Walker donated the Walker Trophy in 1983 for the Mixed Club Championship which is played every year in September.
Gordon B. Taylor Trophy - Presented to the Club in 1999 by the Taylor family; originally an invitational tournament, and later changed to a Kanawaki four ball better ball match play event in three divisions. Teams are selected by a draw.
George M. Dundass Trophy – Donated in 2007 by friends and associates of George M. Dundass, a longstanding member of Kanawaki. This trophy is presented annually to the Senior Men’s Club Champion.
Dulcie Lyle Trophy - Ikawanak - Match Play Competition, 80% of handicap.
Club Championship - Stroke Play by class, three (3) rounds.
Match Play Tournament - Four (4) day competition by class, open to all ladies.
Senior Club Championship - Stroke Play by class (must be 50 years old).
Margie Mussells Trophy - Four ball better ball. Teams of two (2), 80% of handicap.
Pat MacNaull Trophy - Margarita challenge, match play tournament, 80% of handicap.
Captain’s Prize - Open to members fifty years of age and over. Played on gold tees. 80% of handicap competition.
Eclectic – Weekday and Weekend – - Two (2) day full handicap competition, combining better score on each hole for 18 hole total.
Weekday Competitions - Every Tuesday – must sign up – draw done on Monday morning.
Weekend Competitions - Alternate Competitions – must sign up – draw done on Thursday.
Ogilvy Cup - Any parent and child team is eligible, except father and son.
Walker Trophy - Mr. & Mrs. Harry Walker donated this trophy in 1983 for the mixed Club Championship. Alternate shot competition.
Intersectional Teams : “A”, Senior and “B” - Seven (7) of the best lady players are chosen to represent the Club at an Inter-Club competition in the Montreal district. Must have participated in at least Kanawaki Ladies’ competitions.
Ladies’ Invitational Competition - Hosted on a rotational basis by the four founding Clubs: Beaconsfield, Kanawaki, Laval-sur-le-Lac and Royal Montreal. Teams of two, best ball in the qualifying round, followed by match play.
Year | President | Club Champion | Ladies' President | Ladies' Club Champion |
---|---|---|---|---|
1913 | J.H. Birks | Mrs. J.D. Baile | ||
1914 | J.D. Baile | Mrs. J.D. Baile | ||
1915 | Thos. Drummond | Dr. F.J. Tees | Mrs. W.G. Ross | |
1916 | D.N.C. Hogg | Mrs. W.G. Ross | ||
1917 | H.B. MacKenzie | Mrs. S.C. Jones | ||
1918 | H.B. MacKenzie | Mrs. A. Carmen | ||
1919 | F.W. Hubbard | Mrs. J.D. Baile | ||
1920 | H.E. Moles | D.V.T. Williams | Mrs. J.D. Baile | |
1921 | E. Alexander | D.V.T. Williams | Mrs. K. Campbell | |
1922 | E. Alexander | W. McLuckie | Mrs. K. Campbell | |
1923 | W.G. Ross | W. McLuckie | Mrs. F.A. Stevenson | |
1924 | W.G. Ross | W. McLuckie | Mrs. K. Campbell | |
1925 | F.G. Daniels | Mrs. K. Campbell | ||
1926 | F.G. Daniels | C.C. Fraser | Mrs. C.B. McRitchie | |
1927 | J. Buchanan | W. McLuckie | Mrs. F.A. Stevenson | |
1928 | E.P. Flintoft | W. McLuckie | Mrs. H.B. MacNeil | |
1929 | E.P. Flintoft | W. McLuckie | Mrs. H.B. MacNeil | |
1930 | E.M. McDougall | T.G. McAthey | Mrs. L.S. Kelly | Miss Hope Cushing |
1931 | E.M. McDougall | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. L.S. Kelly | Miss Doris Taylor |
1932 | L.W. Barker | C.C. Fraser | Mrs. L. Cushing | Miss Hope Cushing |
1933 | L.W. Barker | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. L. Cushing | Miss Doris Taylor |
1934 | D. McK. Ford | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. C.V. Vaughan | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1935 | D. McK. Ford | C.C. Fraser | Mrs. C.V. Vaughan | Mrs. H.W. Soper |
1937 | E.E. Lloyd | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. R.H. Paul | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1937 | E.E. Lloyd | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. R.H. Paul | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1936 | E.E. Lloyd | F.R. Daniels | Mrs. R.H. Paul | Mrs. H.W. Soper |
1937 | E.E. Lloyd | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. R.H. Paul | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1937 | E.E. Lloyd | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. R.H. Paul | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1938 | C. Sinclair | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. A. Hurry | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1939 | J.H. Finnie | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. W.K. Davis | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1940 | J.H. Finnie | C.C. Fraser | Mrs. A.L. Brown | Mrs. G.B. Maughan |
1941 | F.W. Owen | R.L. Scythes | Mrs. A.L. Brown | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1942 | F.W. Owen | C.C. Fraser | Mrs. R.L. Taylor | Mrs. J.D. Morrison |
1943 | C.D. Cowie | Harvey Martin | Mrs. R.L. Taylor | Mrs. Harvey Martin |
1944 | C.D. Cowie | R.L. Scythes | Mrs. T.B. Wainwright | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1945 | A.L. Brown | C.R. Todd | Mrs. T.B. Wainwright | Mrs. T.M. Lockwood |
1946 | A.L. Brown | Harvey Martin | Mrs. J.B. White | Mrs. T.M. Lockwood |
1947 | R.E. Knight | A. B. McEwen | Mrs. J.B. White | Miss. C.A. Beer |
1948 | R.E. Knight | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. T. Carlisle | Mrs. T.M. Lockwood |
1949 | A.B. McEwen | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. T. Carlisle | Mrs. T.M. Lockwood |
1950 | A.B. McEwen | R.B. Spence | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright |
1951 | A. Ballantyne | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. A.J.D. Wright | Mrs. H.L. Mussells |
1952 | A. Ballantyne | F.M. Pope | Mrs. E.F. Erzinger | Miss C.A. Beer |
1953 | J.G. Fitzpatrick | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. E.F. Erzinger | Mrs. J. Dagenais |
1954 | J.G. Fitzpatrick | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. G.B. Taylor | Mrs. H.L. Mussells |
1955 | J.B. White | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. G.B. Taylor | Mrs. H.L. Mussells |
1956 | J.B. White | R.D. Staniforth | Mrs. G.B. Maughan | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1957 | G.B. Taylor | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. G.B. Maughan | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1958 | G.B. Taylor | P.S. Ross Jr. | Mrs. R. Lyle | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1959 | G.R.W. Owen | R.B. Spence | Mrs. R. Lyle | Mrs. G.R. Patterson |
1960 | G.R.W. Owen | R.B. Spence | Mrs. A.D. Ross | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1961 | F.T. Denis | D. Pemberton-Smith | Mrs. A.D. Ross | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1962 | F.T. Denis | G.B. Taylor | Mrs. R.G. Peers | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1963 | J.S. Hewson | S.J. Turner | Mrs. R.G. Peers | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1964 | J.S. Hewson | L.A. Biddie | Mrs. C.A. Peachey | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1965 | N.P. Taylor | N.J. Best | Mrs. C.A. Peachey | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1966 | N.P. Taylor | S.J. Turner | Mrs. A.J. Groleau | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1967 | N.S. Crerar | R.M. Everson | Mrs. A.J. Groleau | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1968 | N.S. Crerar | S.J. Turner | Mrs. F.T. Denis | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1969 | D.S. Hart | T.D. Moon | Mrs. F.T. Denis | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1970 | D.S. Hart | T.D. Moon | Mrs. J.D. Dodge | Mrs. Robert Lyle |
1971 | P.F. Dingle | C.J.A. Snelling | Mrs. J.D. Dodge | Mrs. M.G. Johnston |
1972 | P.F. Dingle | Dr. F.A. Kay | Mrs. D.L. Lindsay | Mrs. M.G. Johnston |
1973 | A.J. Campbell | Dr. F.A. Kay | Mrs. D.L. Lindsay | Mrs. J.M. Stevens |
1974 | J.D. Dodge | J.P. Ogilvy | Mrs. G.H. Merrill | Mrs. M.G. Johnston |
1975 | J.D. Dodge | D.W. Brock | Mrs. G.H. Merrill | Mrs. M.G. Johnston |
1976 | F.M. Fitzpatrick | Guy Charland | Mrs. N.F. Macfarlane | Mrs. M.G. Johnston |
1977 | F.M. Fitzpatrick | Guy Charland | Mrs. N.F. Macfarlane | Mrs. H. L. Mussells |
1978 | M.E. Fee | Brian McEwen | Mrs. J.D. Mitchell | Mrs. Joann Johnston |
1979 | A.J. Tonkin | D.W. Brock | Mrs. J.D. Mitchell | Mrs. Joanne Rees |
1980 | A.J. Tonkin | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. R.W. Pearman | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1981 | H.G. Walker | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. R.W. Pearman | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1982 | H.G. Walker | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. H.M. Rees | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1983 | J.P. Ogilvy | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. H.M. Rees | Miss Suzanne Robichaud |
1984 | J.P. Ogilvy | Gordon Hanna | Mrs. W.D. Lennox | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1985 | L.J. Boyle | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. W.D. Lennox | Miss Suzanne Robichaud |
1986 | L.J. Boyle | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. W.J. Pretorius | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1987 | M.D. Johnson | Gordon Hanna | Mrs. W.J. Pretorius | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1988 | M.D. Johnson | Gordon Hanna | Mrs. W.D. Thomas | Miss Elizabeth Verge |
1989 | N.F. Macfarlane | William Herb | Mrs. W.D. Thomas | Miss Suzanne Beauregard |
1990 | N.F. Macfarlane | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. D.H. Cohoon | |
1991 | R.L. Ogilvy | Claude Dufour | Mrs. D.H. Cohoon | Miss Catherine Wardlaw |
1992 | R.L. Ogilvy | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. H.G. Walker | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1993 | J.B. Moriarty | Louis La Rue | Mrs. H.G. Walker | Miss Suzanne Beauregard |
1994 | J.B. Moriarty | William Herb | Mrs. D.M. Mackay | Miss Suzanne Beauregard |
1995 | R.H. Francis | William Herb | Mrs. D.M. Mackay | Miss Suzanne Robichaud |
1996 | R.H. Francis | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. J.P. Ogilvy | Miss Suzanne Beauregard |
1997 | D.H. Brown | Jacques Paiement | Mrs. J.P. Ogilvy | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
1998 | D.H. Brown | William Herb | Mrs. T. Savage | Miss Suzanne Beauregard |
1999 | G.H. Eccles | Jacques Paiement | Mrs. T. Savage | Mrs. Claire Richardson |
2000 | G.H. Eccles | Jacques Paiement | Mrs. W. J. Lambert | Mrs. Debby Brillant |
2001 | Dennis Bishop | Scott Irwin | Mrs. W. J. Lambert | Mrs. Lindsay Chiarella |
2002 | Dennis Bishop | Nicholas Galbraith | Mrs. M. MacMahon | Mrs. Debby Brillant |
2003 | Raymond Huot | William Herb | Mrs. M. MacMahon | Mrs. Véronique Alepin |
2004 | Raymond Huot | Ronnie Khanna | Mrs. M. Piotte | Mrs. Lindsay Chiarella |
2005 | Greg Brown | Gordon Hanna | Mrs. M. Piotte | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2006 | Greg Brown | Scott Irwin | Mrs. S. Robichaud | Mrs. Véronique Alepin |
2007 | Marc Belcourt | Scott Irwin | Mrs. S. Robichaud | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2008 | Marc Belcourt | Pierre Archambault | Mrs. Gabrielle Houston | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2009 | Frank Alessi | Jacob Peterson | Mrs. Gabrielle Houston | Ms. Suzanne Patterson |
2010 | Frank Alessi | Scott Irwin | Mrs. Diane Oliver | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2011 | Paul Marier | Jacob Peterson | Mrs. Diane Oliver | Miss Dayvi Khanna |
2012 | Paul Marier | Laith Qumsieh | Mrs. Sharon Timms | Miss Dayvi Khanna |
2013 | Boris Ozbalt | Jacob Peterson | Mrs. Sharon Timms | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2014 | Boris Ozbalt | Jacob Peterson | Mrs. Nancy Ryan | Miss Alexandra Lévy |
2015 | Dan Anber | Daniel Gosselin | Mrs. Nancy Ryan | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2016 | Dan Anber | Etienne Dumas | Mrs. Elizabeth Verge | Mrs. Raymonde Germain |
2017 | John Rolland | Frankie McComber Jr. | Mrs. Elizabeth Verge | Miss Dayvi Khanna |
2018 | John Rolland | Etienne Dumas | Mrs. Letizia Ray | Miss Dayvi Khanna |
2019 | Daniel Desjardins | Gordon Hanna | Mrs. Letizia Ray | Yolande Jessome |
2020 | Daniel Desjardins | Etienne Dumas | Sylvie Lafleur | Lisa Ge |
2021 | Diane Bale | Etienne Dumas | Sylvie Lafleur | Lisa Ge |
2022 | Marc Giroux | Etienne Dumas | Sylvie Lafleur | Dayvi Khanna |
2023 | Marc Giroux | John Zimmer | Susan Caon | Dayvi Khanna |
2024 | Nathalie Pilon | Susan Caon |