Which is the Oldest Golf Club in North America?

History tells us that wherever the Scottish emigrated to in the world, it is highly likely that soon after, golf being played in some form or another. In the mid 17th Century, when the first Pilgrims landed in America on the Mayflower in 1620, did one of the passengers have a stash of golf clubs on board?

We'd like to think so. However, the golfing history of the United States of America, is a little bit shrouded in mystery and the passage of time. There have been many clubs that have laid claim to being the first golf club in the region.

Douglas Field Chicago (1875), Oakhurst Golf Links West Virginia (1882), Douglas Field Golf Club Vermont (1886) and Foxburg Country Club Pennsylvania (1887) so we might never know just who is the rightful owner of the title.

Meanwhile, it was the British who first spread golf to Canada, in 1873 a small group of eight gentlemen sat in a dockside office and formed the Montreal Golf Club. Eleven years later, in 1884 permission was granted by Queen Victoria to use the “Royal” prefix.

The first course built here was a 9 hole layout on Fletchers Field which was part of Mount Royal Park where golfers in Red-Coats and civilians alike could be seen playing golf.

Much later in 1959, the club made its final move to Ile Bizard where 45 holes were designed & constructed by Dick Wilson. 'The Blue Course' updated by Rees Jones, continues to be ranked as one of the '100 Greatest Courses in the World'.

So there you have it.....The Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Canada & the North American Continent.