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m to grass greens: 75 years of prosperityby Giselle LussierStaff ReporterAs you glance out the window; of die modem club house at the Glenboro Golf and Country Qub you can't help but notice the beauty of nature In the poplar and spruce trees, ground cedar and green grass along sloping fairways of one of Manitoba's finest nine hole golf courses.The golf club has had many improvements since it was first established In 1922, most of which were achieved through volunteer efforts of its first members. Who would have thought, when a handful of local boys began practicing their driving skills at the fairgrounds in the early '20's It would develop Into one of Gienboro's most popular sports attracting many visitors. \Glenboro resident Bay (G.M.) Smith, one of die first members of the, 4-E Club recollects the meager beginning when the fairgrounds were used as the first driving range. However once the drives began reaching further distances it was decided to look for a more suitable spo^,,, _Although a local newspaper defined the new sport as Pasture Pool and many local people disapproved, the game still caught on and neighboring sportsmen took part in the novel diversion.It wasn't too long before die men were talking about the possibility of creating a permanent course and set their sights on the perfect location; the south east quarter of 21-7-14 which was owned by A.E. Johnson.TheT first organizationalmeeting of the golf club • 4-E Club- was held at the Union Bank building (present Village Office)impressed with die site which he felt closely resembled courses inhis homeland, commented Bay. The Scottish fellow spent threedays In Glenboro laying out the nine holes.Once die course was laidout, the members began to clear out the ground cedar and remove hundreds of long roots from theAs for the greens, they were not actually green, but brown, consisting of waste oil and sand firmly packed down, wrote Fred Dawkins In Beneath the LongGrass.Since the golf course was in the primary stages, and money was scarce, each member was designated a hole for which he was accountable for condition and possible improvements. The fairways were mowed by aneighboring farmer with a hay mower, until enough money was accumulated to hire a full-timeHaving a full-time grounds keeper, Harry Thomborough, brought on the problem of a building from which he could work. The members laboured together and built a small clubhouse on a hilltop in the center of the course (present ninth hole tee off).Golf bags weren't necessary then, as most golfers carried only two, maybe three clubs with wooden shafts . Many clubs were broken against the rigid cedar roots, added Bay. Numerous years passed until quality dubs were used along with wooden tees and golf bags.Throughout the years the members made consistent improvements to the clubhouse; such as accommodating members with light lunches and the sale of golfing equipment.World War Two brought play to an abrupt halt. Howeverwhen the war ended the younger generation revitalized the dub.in 1922.the floor as there'weren't enough As the membership Increasedchairs at the first meeting where a did the cash which producedcommittee was elected as well as steady Improvements. Duringthe chairman W.G. McNamee. that time die land was under aThe committee's first duty was to travel to Brandon's Municipal Golf Course and seek assistance in designing the detired nine holes, v* ~ -They were able to acquire the volunteer services of Brandon's green keeper. I can't recall his name, but he was a good Scottish fellow. He wasar lease from the Rural Municipality of South Cypress for the yearly sum of $ 15.00 (Lease Agreement dated,On May 27di, 1958 the Chamber of Commerce purchased the site and appointed and assigned Reginald Rawlings, Hardware Agent; Roy Wallis,i CLUBHOUSE TODAY...The Glenboro Golf and Country Club built a new clubhouse that overlooks the ninth hole. It constructed in 1977 by Trueloves of Cypress River. GAZETTE PHOTO/GISELLE LUSSIERInsurance Agent; and Allan Frederickson, General Merchant, as the trustees and registered owners.When the Patricia School was tiken off Its foundation during I960 it was moved to the golf course and added to the side of the old clubhouse, (located at the present #2 tee-off) giving the members much more space.Big changes came about during 1969, when the sand greens were replaced by grass greens. The members supplied the labor and local businesses andindividuals provided the equipment. The course was enlarged by 274 yards and an underground sprinkler system was Installed. The Glenboro Golf Qub became a legal corporation and the tide was transferred to its name. These changes not only resulted In a modem and well equipped course, It also increased die number of members from 25Saturday and Sunday on the week-end of September 7, 1972, 194 golfers took part in the Glenboro Golf Qub's 50th Anniversary tournament. The Anniversary flight was won by Allan Frederickson, son of one ofthe founding members. Steve Foord-Kelcey of Glenboro won the Hole-In-One contest with a distance of J1 '7. Ernie Owens of Cypres* River was honouredwith a life membership, havingbeen an active member since1928 with the exception of hiswar years. Fred Frederickson and Bay Smith were recognized as the only original members still living and for their fine efforts and hard work way back In 1922.In 1973, a 20 x 24 addition was made to the clubhouse. The nterior was tastefully decorated and lockers were installed in theiHT*• As the course gained recognition throughout die Province, and more people fromtravelledTHE LAST LIVING ORIGINAL MEMBER...(l-r) Roy Wallis with Bay (G.M.) Smith, original member of the Glenboro Golf Club and Allan (Friday) Frederickson who waa bom in 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fredickson. Fred wasalso one of the original members, gazette photo/giselle lussiernumber nine green. The old dub house was burned by the Glenboro South CypressVolunteer Fire Department aspart of a fire-fightingBernice Frederickson was the first lady member and also first president of the Glenboro Ladies Golf Club which was organized in the fifties with approximately 16mm*.My husband (FridayFrederickson) was such an avid golfer that if I wanted to spend some time with him I had to become a golfer too, stared Bemlce during a recent Interview. Although Bernice gave credit to her husband for arousing her interest In the sport, she did admit to swinging her clubs In herThere are presendyapproximately 250 men, women and children who hold a membership at the Glenboro Golf and Country Club. When asked what she thinks accounts for tl steady growth of members ai green fee participants, Bernice answered enthusiastically, The natural hazard zones, hills and the meticulous condition In which thecourse Is kept,Congratulations to the Glenboro Golf and Country club and to Bay (G.M.) Smith who will not only be recognized as the only living original member but who will also be celebrating his98th birthday on July 6, 1997.Although Fred Frederickson is no longer here to share the spot-light with Bay, he will be smiling upon his son, Allan and wife Bemlce asthey participate in die 75th Anniversary Flight.Glenboro Golf Country Clubto celebrate 75th anniversaryby Giselle LussierStaff Reporterway toL Golf prizes,During the week-endthe executive and Glenboro Golf Qub will celebrateWhattobreakfasts, entertainment underthe Big Top and officialGolfing will get under way on Saturday and Sunday with shotday at 8:30 a.m.m. The flights willladles and seniorsmay be mixed.prize of XX) will the persones a4'faf
Newspaper Details
Glenboro Gazette
Glenboro, Manitoba, CA
Tue, Jun 17, 1997
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Patrick L.
USA 07 Feb 2019
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