The History of Ardmore Golf Course
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Ardmore Golf Course got its start in another place altogether. In its infancy Ardmore was known as the “North Saanich Golf Club” and was located near Patricia Bay, north of its current location. At the time it was 3-4 holes and annual memberships were $20, with a $5 joining fee. Members could have a guest play all day for only $0.50!
Unfortunately, when the course was moved to the current location, the ledger book was started fresh and a lot of the history has been lost. Some of the fact still remain unclear, though a note in the margin of the ledger remaining suggests that the course was built in the early 1900’s. In November of 1930, due to a rent increase on the original property and a lack of room for a much needed expansion, negotiations started to lease the property known as “Ardmore Estates”, the old Ardmore farm on the corner of West Saanich and Ardmore Dr. It belonged to Alan Steamships Ltd of Scotland, and was run by Mr. W Sisson, the resident caretaker. At the time of the move the land was being used to grow hay, corn and potatoes. After the move these things were still grown between holes until the 1960’s. |
Article ~ Daily Colonist, printed May 23, 1926
To read the original article, please click here |
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On October 31st, 1946 George W Du Temple, veteran Wing Commander of the R.C.A.F., bought the course from Alan Steamship as a family venture. He and his wife, Alice, and their three sons, Ronald (18), Barry (9), and Wally (6) moved into the small house on the property. The boys learned farm chores as well as golf course chores, taking on duties such as milking the cows and picking, cleaning and repainting balls for resale. As the family would find out, with George working as well as running the course / farm, they were in need of more help and soon called upon Alice’s sister and her family. The subdivided the property, giving Lily and Roy Walker a place to call home.
The farm and course ran simultaneously, and prospered, with the pro shop selling balls, tees and clubs alongside farm fresh eggs, milk and butter that Alice made in her washing machine. She was very proud of her washing machine rig for making butter in 15 minutes, and would show it off to members and customers often. |
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In the late 1940’s there was no starter at the first tee, instead there was a ball machine that when you dropped your ball into the chute it would sort the appropriate order, alternating front 9 and back 9, and when your ball reached the bottom you were on tee. This machine was used until the early 1980’s when a starter began to take tee time appointments and schedule times on a paper chart and announce your turn on tee with a microphone.
The 1960’s held some emotional times for the Du Temple family, including the loss of their George Du Temple to a massive heart attack. After his father’s passing, eldest son, Ron and his wife Betty managed the course for Alice. Along with their 6 children, Cindy, Penny, Brad, Rhonda, George and Theresa (Teri) they moved into the small cottage on the property. Betty took up her new position with pride, making changes to the pro shop, expanding the tea service (started by Alice), and her baking and fresh coffee became a huge hit. Ron built the maintenance area, to house all the new machinery, and stopped all hay production and other crops to focus on the golf course aspect of the property. Ron and Betty made some huge and positive changes to the course until Ron passed away, a victim of cancer, in December of 1973. |
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Back from U.B.C. and his adventures out of province with his teaching career, newly married Wally and his wife Olga moved into the cottage in 1972 and Wally began to manage the golf course. The next few years would bring a son, Evan, and a daughter, Hana. They also brought many changes to the course and club dynamic, as the club members and ownership did not see things eye to eye. Wally decided to encourage more green fee play, and schedule private office tournaments on the weekends.
Wally also expanded the reservoirs, added in a much needed irrigation system and purchased donkeys to graze the slopes around the reservoir. Wally encouraged the local 4H club to use the property, adding in fenced areas for horses where the hay fields once lay. The donkeys soon became part of Ardmore’s history in their own way, as a cart was built with seating for two with golf bags that would be pulled behind a donkey from hole to hole, thus introducing Ardmore’s first golf cart. This cart was the first and last of its kind on the island, and can now be found outside the Irons Grill Lounge doors, filled with flowers. |
In the early 1980’s the course layout was changed to that which we know today. After 5 holes, there is a stop by the clubhouse for snacks, beverages and a washroom if needed. In the mid 1980’s Wally opened another business in Sidney, a health club, and introduced a new golf membership option for his health club clients. Although the health club was only open a year, the “after three membership” invented still exists to this day. It caused a bit of concern to the existing membership, as they were having a hard time scheduling events and matches with the timing of the membership restrictions and the daylight hours available for play when teeing off after 3pm.
In 1978 the first ever Ardmore golf tournament commenced and was known as the “Ardmore Thanksgiving Classic”, running each October until 1983. The tournament was open to all golfers, men and women, playing in separate divisions, each with its own trophies. Wally suggested at this time that the tournament be organized by the Club membership, and after a vote, the Club agreed. The tournament was to recommence in 1987, however this never happened. The tournament lay dormant until 2009 when it was revived as a fundraiser for the ALS Society of BC, and the Dave Pendray Memorial Endowment Fund. Presently, the “Thanksgiving Classic” is again dormant, but the “Drive for ALS” charity event and fundraiser takes place every August.
Towards the end of the 1980’s Wally no longer managed the course, but became part of the board of directors. The three portions of the shares, originally left to the three sons, now each had a representative on the board; Wally, Barry and Betty (who was left Ron’s shares in his estate). A manager was hired to run the day to day operations of the course and implement the decisions of the board.
In 1978 the first ever Ardmore golf tournament commenced and was known as the “Ardmore Thanksgiving Classic”, running each October until 1983. The tournament was open to all golfers, men and women, playing in separate divisions, each with its own trophies. Wally suggested at this time that the tournament be organized by the Club membership, and after a vote, the Club agreed. The tournament was to recommence in 1987, however this never happened. The tournament lay dormant until 2009 when it was revived as a fundraiser for the ALS Society of BC, and the Dave Pendray Memorial Endowment Fund. Presently, the “Thanksgiving Classic” is again dormant, but the “Drive for ALS” charity event and fundraiser takes place every August.
Towards the end of the 1980’s Wally no longer managed the course, but became part of the board of directors. The three portions of the shares, originally left to the three sons, now each had a representative on the board; Wally, Barry and Betty (who was left Ron’s shares in his estate). A manager was hired to run the day to day operations of the course and implement the decisions of the board.