Playing in Golf Events & Golf Competitions

There are a few different ways in which to start playing more competitively, here are just a few of the ways in which you can join golf competitions in your area….

1 – Charity Golf Days

Many charities like to use golf events in order to raise funds or to generate awareness of what they do. These events are normally open for anyone (even to those they have never played) to join in. The focus here is on good will rather than good golf but as many of these events are held annually, they can often be ‘serious’ for those that are contending for places. Sometimes, individuals like to organise events in memory of a particular person or charity that is close to them. You may be required to find some other to join you and make up a four-ball but this can in turn reduce your costs for each player

2 – Corporate Golf Days
Many businesses run annual company golf days in order to entertain clients or share corporate responsibilities. In addition, many may have attached themselves to a local charity (see above). These days tend to be relaxed affairs with the emphasis more on business and networking than golf!

3 – Golf Club Competitions
Having joined a club, you will find that they run many annual golf events and monthly competitions. These can be attended by club members by paying a small entry fee on top of your annual membership payment (e.g. £5). This allows you to pitch yourself against the rest of the members, many of who you’ve never met yet. These days can be VERY serious and you may need to check your rule book before taking part

4 – OPEN events
With more and more clubs needing ‘Pay & Players’ to generate additional revenue, many clubs now run what they refer to as ‘OPEN’ competitions. These are open to anyone with a CONGU handicap, which would normally be obtained by joining a golf club or by signing up for a County Card.

5 – Society Days
If you are not a member of a golf club (either online or traditional), you may know somebody that runs a ‘Society’. These are groups of golfer that traditionally have no home but play as a group by moving their events form club to club, playing a new course very month. These societies tend to be fun and can be a great way to meet other like mined golfers.

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.