A walk through Royal Montreal’s history is a fascinating exercise in witnessing the development of the game on this side of Atlantic:
1871
Montreal makes a park of Mount Royal. Golfers begin playing on the level pastureland.
1873
A group of eight golfers, led by Scot Alexander Dennistoun, found the Montreal Golf Club.
1876
The oldest interclub match pits Royal Quebec versus Royal Montreal.
1884
Queen Victoria permits the Club to add “Royal” to its name.
1891
The first female admitted to membership is the wife of a former Captain of the Club—Mrs. W. W. Watson.
1895
Royal Montreal is one of five clubs involved in forming the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Former Club President and Captain Senator Sir George A. Drummond is elected its first President.
1896
The Club moves to a new location in Dorval generally referred to as the “Dixie.”
1897
The original Dixie Clubhouse opens, and the Club hosts the third Canadian Amateur Championship.
1901
Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, first held at the Club, is won by Miss Lillias Young.
1901
Miss Ida Linton is the first Scratch Medallist and first female Club champion.
1904
The first Canadian Open is played at Royal Montreal and is won by Englishman John H. Oke.
1905
Charles Murray becomes the Club’s golf professional. He’d win two Canadian Opens—and remain at Royal Montreal for 33 years.
1908
The Canadian Open returns. Albert Murray is the winner.
1913
The Canadian Open comes back to Montreal. Albert Murray wins once again.
1923
British Prime Minister David Lloyd George tours Canada and plays at Royal Montreal.
1926
The Canadian Open is played at the Dixie location, with Scot Macdonald Smith winning. Gene Sarazen is the runner-up.
1950
The Canadian Open is played for a final time at the Dixie location, with Jim Ferrier prevailing.
1957
Preparing to move: construction of new courses is underway under the direction of Dick Wilson and Joe Lee.
1957
Marlene Stewart Streit, the only Canadian in the World Golf Hall of Fame, wins the Canadian Ladies’ Closed Amateur Championship in 1957. It is the last major event held at Dixie.
1959
Opening ceremonies for the new courses and clubhouse on Île-Bizard take place on a rainy Saturday in mid-June.
1973
The Club celebrates its Centennial anniversary.
1975
Tom Weiskopf wins the first Canadian Open held on the Dick Wilson-designed Blue Course. Jack Nicklaus, who never won a Canadian Open, finishes second.
1980
Bob Gilder wins the Canadian Open.
1997
Tiger Woods appears at the Canadian Open, but misses the cut, his first as a professional golfer. Steve Jones betters Greg Norman for the title.
2001
Tiger Woods returns to Montreal to defend his Canadian Open win; Scott Verplank eventually is crowned champion.
2007
The Presidents Cup is contested at Royal Montreal. Jack Nicklaus leads the American team, while the International squad is led by Gary Player. The Americans win, but Mike Weir’s final hole victory on the last day is the highlight.
2014
Tim Clark holds off Jim Furyk to win a rain-soaked RBC Canadian Open.
2023
Royal Montreal will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
2024
The Presidents Cup returns to Royal Montreal.