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Toronto World, Jan. 22, 1911 drawing — *Toronto World*, January 22, 1911

Globe, September 3, 1872 First article on golf

Globe, October 30, 1874 Second Globe article on golf

Globe, January 26, 1875 Third article on golf

An 1851 map with the log numbers. The east-west street is Queen St. (Kingston Rd in 1851). Kingston Road turns north just east of Coxwell. A small settlement is at the corner of Coxwell and Queen clustered around a steam saw mill, a tavern and a tollgate. The north south street between Lot 8 and 7 will become Coxwell Avenue. A larger village is clustered around Woodbine and Kingston Road. It was called the Village of Norway for the Norway or Red Pine that grew there so abundantly. — An 1851 map with the lot numbers. The east-west street is Queen St. (Kingston Rd in 1851). Kingston Road turns north just east of Coxwell. A small settlement, called Small’s Corners, is at the corner of Coxwell and Queen clustered around a steam saw mill, a tavern and a tollgate. The north south street between Lot 8 and 7 will become Coxwell Avenue. Lot 7 was originally granted to Paul Wilcott and sold in 1801 to John Small. A larger village is clustered around Woodbine and Kingston Road. It was called the Village of Norway for the Norway or Red Pine that grew there so abundantly.

Globe, May 7, 1881 First mention of the Toronto Golf Club

Globe, October 22, 1881 Toronto vs Brantford

Globe, April 8, 1882 Small's Farm and TGC

East of Coxwell Avenue, Goad's Map, 1903. — East of Coxwell Avenue, Goad’s Map, 1903.

Gordon T Cassels map — Map drawn by Gordon T. Cassels, from *The Toronto Golf Club, 1876-1976* by Jack Batten.

Matching — Plan of Toronto Golf Club old grounds, *Golf,* Vol. III, No. 1 (July, 1898)

Toronto World, April 20, 1899 — *Toronto World,* December 5, 1890

Toronto World, April 20, 1899 b — *Toronto World*, December 5, 1890 continued

Toronto World, December 5, 1890 — *Toronto World,* December 5, 1890

The Canadian Contract Record [Vol. 5, no. 13 (May 3, 1894)] — *The Canadian Contract Record*, Vol. 5, no. 13 (May 3, 1894)

The Punch Bowl from a private collection (date unknown) — Looking up the Dell from a private collection (date unknown)

Globe, June 16, 1894 — *Globe*, June 16, 1894

Globe, June 16, 1894 Article — The Osler Cup

Globe, March 23, 1895 The Jack Gordon cleet

The Punch Bowl and Plateau from a private collection (date unknown)

Weekly British Whig, 6 Jun 1895 (Kingston, ON) — Weekly British Whig, June 6, 1895 (Kingston, ON)

1896 Fernhill, Toronto Public Library Collection — Toronto Golf Club House, “Fernhill”, ca. 1895. The photo was reproduced in Athletic Life, Vol. III, No. 1, January 1896, p. 25. Photographer Josiah Bruce also took all the photographs in the *Globe* article of November 7, 1896. Toronto Public Library.

Daily Maily and Empire, July 11, 1896 Collage

On The Links — *Daily Mail and Empire*, July 11, 1896

Punch Bowl — *Daily Mail and Empire*, July 11, 1896

A. W. Smith — *Daily Mail and Empire*, July 11, 1896 Andy Smith was one of Canada’s top golfers

Globe, Nov. 7, 1894 — *Globe*, November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 6 — *Globe*, November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 3 — *Globe,* November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 A1 — *Globe*, November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 A2 — *Globe,* November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 A3 — *Globe,* November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 A4 — *Globe*, November 7, 1896

Globe, November 7, 1896 A5 — *Globe*, November 7, 1896

Golfers, 1896. Photo by William James. Andy Scott putting on the Toronto Golf Club grounds.

Golfers, 1896. Photo by William James. Second photo of group. — Golfers, 1896. Photo by William James on the Toronto Golf Club grounds

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)]

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)] 2 — *The WEEK,* Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)] 5 — *The WEEK*, Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)] 6 — *The WEEK,* Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)] 7 — *The WEEK,* Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)

The WEEK [Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)] 8 — *The WEEK,* Vol. 13, no. 51 (Nov. 13, 1896)

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 5 — *Toronto Star,* July 23, 1898

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 1 — *Toronto Star*, July 23, 1898

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 6 — *Toronto Star*, July 23, 1898 looking north west. Foreground Gerrard Street. Williamson’s Ravine is visible as is the bridge where the fence ends on the left. The Toronto Golf Club House is on the top of the hill.

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 2 — *Toronto Star*, July 23, 1898 continued

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 3 — *Toronto Star*, July 23, 1898 continued

Toronto Star, July 23, 1898 whole article.jpg — *Toronto Star,* July 28, 1898

Golf Magazine, Vol. III, No. 1, July 1898 Cover — *Golf Magazine*, Vol. III, No. 1, July 1898 Cover

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1898 International Team 262 — *Golf,* Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, page 262

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1898 p 263 — Golf, Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, page 263

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, (July, 1898), p. 264 — *Golf,* Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, p.264

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1898 p 265 — *Golf*, Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, p. 265

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1898 p 266 — *Golf*, Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, p. 266

Golf, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1898 p 267 — *Golf*, Vol. III, No. 5, October 1, 1898, International Team, p. 267

Globe, October 8, 1898 — *Globe*, October 8, 1898

18990918 TS A W Smith was not Archie Smith — Archie Smith was the golf pro at the Toronto Golf Club — not to be confused with A. W. (Andy) Smith, the champion golfer of the Toronto Golf Club.

19010316 TS AGM — Cassels Avenue at the east side of the course is named for Walter Cassels who donated land to the Toronto Golf Club and was Captain (President)

Globe, June 11, 1901 a — Globe, June 11, 1901

Globe, June 11, 1901 b — *Globe,* June 11, 1901 continued The women members felt particularly threatened by the flying bullets of the In and Out Club and with good reason. The mound that was the barrier was too small and inadequate. The Toronto Police Force also practiced at this range near Small’s Pond.

Globe, August 30, 1901 — *Globe*, August 30, 1901

Globe, September 11, 1901 a — *Globe*, September 11, 1901

Globe, September 11, 1901 b — *Globe*, September 11, 1901

Globe, September 11, 1901 c — *Globe,* September 11, 1901

Globe, September 11, 1901 d — *Globe,* September 11, 1901

Globe, September 28, 1901 5 — *Globe,* September 28, 1901

19030627 TS George Cummings — George Cumming followed Archie Brown as Toronto Golf Club’s pro. He went on to be the Club’s “Old Man of Golf” and Professional for the next 50 years.

Club house (2) — By well known Canadian artist C. W. Jefferys. Note the windmill in the background for pumping water up to fill the water tank (not visible) that supplied the Grand Trunk Railway’s steam locomotives. Also note the new extension to the north side of the building.

Toronto Star, Sept. 24, 1903 a — *Toronto Star*, Sept. 24, 1903

Looking south September 25 1903 — Looking south September 24, 1903 by C. W. Jefferys

Globe, May 11, 1904 — *Globe*, May 11, 1904 Tea on the wide verandah is delightful.

Globe, October 4, 1904 — *Globe*, October 4, 1904

Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, August 26, 1905 a — *Manitoba Free Press*, Winnipeg, August 26, 1905

Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, August 26, 1905 b — *Manitoba Free Press,* Winnipeg, August 26, 1905 continued

Mable Thomson winner, Toronto Star, September 26, 1906

Dorothy Campbell, Hamilton, runner up, Toronto Star, September 26, 1906 — Dorothy Campbell, Hamilton, runner up, *Toronto Star,* September 26, 1906

Toronto Star, September 26, 1906 — *Toronto Star,* September 26, 1906

Toronto Star, September 26, 1906 two — *Toronto Star*, September 26, 1906

Golfers and Caddie, 1907, by William James, Toronto Golf Club

The Canadian Courier, Vol. II, No. 6, July 6th, 1907 Hole 3 — *The Canadian Courier*, Vol. II, No. 6, July 6th, 1907

The Canadian Courier, Vol. II, No. 13 (August 24th, 1907) Lady golfer — *The Canadian Courier,* Vol. II, No. 13 (August 24th, 1907)

Dorothy Campbell, from the City of Toronto Archives — Dorothy Campbell, 1908, Toronto Golf Club grounds, City of Toronto Archives

Globe, March 12, 1909 — *Globe,* March 12, 1909 The Toronto Golf Club failed to negotiate a special deal on taxation with the City of Toronto, probably because it was political suicide for East End aldermen to support such a “goodie” for the privileged members of the Club.

Canadian Courier, Vol. VI, No. 6, July 6, 1909 stile scene — *Canadian Courier,* Vol. VI, No. 6, 1909 Note the stile in the background. These little steps over fences, allowed pedestrian access across fields and roads.

Canadian Courier, Vol. VI, No. 6, July 6, 1909

The Canadian courier Vol. VI, No. 6 (July 10th, 1909) bush — *Canadian Courier,* Vol. VI, No. 6, 1909

Globe, July 3, 1909 — *Globe*, July 3, 1909

Globe, July 10, 1909 — *Globe,* July 10, 1909. The shanties of “Shacktown” on Coxwell Avenue are visible in the background. The presence of these unwanted neighbours violated the club members’ sense of privacy. The lower crust stared at the upper crust through the fence and, although many local boys found jobs as caddies, the gulf between the classes made the golfers uncomfortable. Privacy was an important value to those who played “the Royal Game” then and is still now.

Toronto Golf Club 1910 Canadian Ladies’ Championship

1910 Goad's Atlas — *Goad’s Atlas*, 1910, showing the location of the Toronto Golf Club House

Toronto Star, June 16, 1911 — *Toronto Star*, June 16, 1911

Bridge over Small’s Creek, Upper Gerrard, Toronto Golf Club grounds, 1911 — Summer, 1911, The City of Toronto’s Civic Car Line’s streetcar tracks being laid. This is looking eastward on Upper Gerrard at the bridge over Small’s Creek at Williamson Park ravine.

Canadian Courier, Vol. X, No. 22, October 28, 1911 — Building Civic Car line on Upper Gerrard Street — with Toronto Golf Clubhouse in background, *Canadian Courier,* Vol. X, No. 22, October 28, 1911

Civic Car Line COnstruction Gerrard St E — Civic Car Line Construction – Upper Gerrard Street, 1911 – Bowmore Hill

From rattlesnake hunt to hockey, 1934, p. 189 — W. Perkins Bull, *From rattlesnake hunt to hockey*, 1934, p. 189

Toronto World, Jan. 22, 1911 — *Toronto World*, January 22, 1911

Globe, January 23, 1911 — *Globe,* January 23, 1911

Globe, March 14, 1911 — *Globe,* March 14, 1911 Harry Colt was a famous golf course designer.

Globe, April 29, 1911 — *Globe,* April 29, 1911

Dorothy Campbell, Canadian Courier, Vol. X, No. 1, June 3, 1911 — Dorothy Campbell, *Canadian Courier,* Vol. X, No. 1, June 3, 1911

London Standard, October 9, 1911, London, England — *London Standard,* October 9, 1911, London, England

London Standard, November 9, 1911, London, England — *London Standard,* November 9, 1911, London, England

London Standard, Feb. 1, 1912 — *London Standard*, Feb. 1, 1912

Toronto Star, Feb. 12, 1912 — *Toronto Star*, Feb. 12, 1912

Toronto Star, October 12, 1900 — *Toronto Star*, Feb. 12, 1912

Globe, March 18, 1912 — *Globe,* March 18, 1912

Toronto Star, June 18, 1912 — *Toronto Star*, June 18, 1912 Note the somewhat misleading wording regarding sewers, roads, telephone, hydro, etc. This is what comprised “every convenience” at the time. The ad says “Every convenience is **already installed in around this property”.** Nothing was actually installed on the property yet and the Civic Car line wasn’t finished so there were no conveniences except golf greens. $35 dollars a foot frontage was expensive in those days. Craven Road sold for $5 and free lumber.

Toronto Star, June 19, 1912 — *Toronto Star*, June 19, 1912 The Toronto Golf Club was stilling playing on its grounds while Frederick B. Robins and his sales people where taking buyers out to select lots. The property was already subdivided.

Close up of 1912 Subdivision Map — Detail, *Toronto Star*, October 25, 1912

Toronto World, December 2, 1912 a — *Toronto World*, December 26, 1912

Toronto World, December 2, 1912 b — *Toronto World,* December 26, 1912

19130328 TW George Cumming — The new course in Etobicoke and “The daddy of them all”.

From rattlesnake hunt to hockey, 1934, p. 189 new — W. Perkins Bull, *From rattlesnake hunt to hockey*, 1934, p. 189

George Cummings, October 2, 1925 — George Cummings, Toronto Golf Club’s Professional for 50 years

Kingston Gleaner, December 9, 1916, Kingston, Jamaica — *Kingston Gleaner*, December 9, 1916, Kingston, Jamaica. Canadian golf professionals spent their winters in the Caribbean working at courses there.

Afterword: After the Toronto Golf Club moved to Etobicoke

19261015ts-street-name-changes — Toronto Star, October 15, 1926

19270127-gl-street-name-changes-gainsborough-wildwood-etc — Globe, January 27, 1927

19470402ts-streets-renumbered-and-renamed — Toronto Star, April 2, 1947

00107 — Goad’s Atlas, 1924, the southern part of the Toronto Golf Course Grounds is all built up as is the original few acres of 1876’s course at Queen Street East and Kingston Road.

Globe, April 14, 1922 — *Globe,* April 14, 1922 This house still remains at the s.w. corner of Gainsborough and Upper Gerrard. Kelvin Park was marketed as “The Beach Annex”.

20160822_104107_resized — The Electric House today.

Aerial shot, 1947. Dominion of Canada photo — Aerial shot, 1947. Dominon of Canada photo.

TIMELINE

DATE	Time line to 1912 Toronto Golf Club (Toronto Golf Club)
1801	July 18 Paul Wilcott sold 200 acre property to John Small
1859	Scotland hosts the first Open Golf Championship
1869	James Lamond Smith introduced golf to Toronto
1873	Royal Montreal is the first golf club formed in Canada, and in the present is the oldest continuously operating golf club in North America.
1876 – 1879	James Lamond Smith, Captain (President) & founder
1876	Toronto Golf Club established
1876-1889	Toronto Golf Club played just north of the Woodbine racetrack on leased land
1880	Toronto Golf Club had 30 members
1880 – 1888	R. H. Bethune, Captain (President)
1881	Organization incorporated as “The Toronto Golf Club”
1886	Aug. 7 Woodbine fire destroys Toronto Golf Club clubs and other equipment
1889	Charles Hunter, Captain (President)
1889	Toronto Golf Club evicted & Course near Queen north of Woodbine subdivided for housing.
1889	Toronto Golf Club had 6 hole short course at Woodbine
1890 – 1891	Col. G. A. Sweny, Captain (President)
1892 – 1893	Sir E. B. Osler, Captain (President)
1894 – 1908	Judge W. Cassels, Captain (President)
1894	Women admitted
1894	Incorporated as the “Toronto Golf Club Association”
1894	Fernhill Land Company incorporated to manage the Fernhill property
1894	Fernhill Land Company purchased 30 acres Fernhill & Opened Club House
1894	Osler Cup presented to the Toronto Golf Club
1895 – 1910	William Troughton, Steward Toronto Golf Club
1895	Archie Smith, Toronto Golf Club Professional
1895	April Toronto Golf Club leased fields to the east, bringing course up to full 18 holes
1895	June Five Toronto Golf Club members charged with violating “The Lord’s Day Act”
1895	First Royal Canadian Golf Association annual tournament
1896	150 members (plus 125 lady associates)
1896	A. W. (Andy) Smith returned to Scotland
1899	Dec. 12 Five caddies charged under “Lord’s Day Act”
1899	May Clubhouse remodeled with an extension on the back known as “the new clubhouse”.
1900	George Cummings Toronto Golf Club Professional March 20 arrives from Scotland.
1900	George Cummings redesigned the course
1901	In and Out Gun Club
1905	George Cumming wins Canada Open
1909	Charles Cockshutt, Captain (President)
1909	A new charter and name is again officially “The Toronto Golf Club”
1909	City of Toronto annexed Midway
1910 – 1912	Col. G. A. Sweny, Captain (President)
1910 – 1912	J. Williams, Steward
1911	Jan. Toronto Golf Club purchased land Etobicoke Creek
1912	Oct. 12 Farewell dinner Club House
1912	Dec. 16 Civic Car line opened
1912	Jan. F. B. Robbins & Henry Pellatt buy Toronto Golf Club land for Kelvin Park Subdivision

Jack Batten, The Toronto Golf Club 1876 to 1976 — An excellent history and an enjoyable read.

20151003_1425160 — The graceful evergreen Wood fern grew on the sand soil under the pines of Fernhill. Other species of ferns grew in the wet rich soil of Small’s Creek ravine. Many species have “gone missing” due to the heavy use of this small ravine park.

https://www.facebook.com/smallscreekravines/?ref=br_rs&fref=nf

4 thoughts on “The Toronto Golf Club: First 18 Hole Course in Canada”

Meggan Gardner says:

September 8, 2016 at 5:41 pm

Very impressed with your great research!

Pingback: Canada’s first 18 hole course – Bill Andersen
Catherine Woodley says:

January 6, 2022 at 8:36 pm

Thank you I found this v interesting as I’m doing some research on my grandfather George Cumming!

1. Leslieville Historical Society says:
  
  January 9, 2022 at 6:25 pm
  
  Fascinating man. I have many news clippings (digital) that I could share with you if you want them. Just email me at my personal email address: joannedoucetteto@gmail.com Best wishes Joanne Doucette

The Toronto Golf Club: First 18 Hole Course in Canada

Afterword: After the Toronto Golf Club moved to Etobicoke

TIMELINE

Published by Leslieville Historical Society

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Afterword: After the Toronto Golf Club moved to Etobicoke

TIMELINE

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