Presidents Cup 2024
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Celebrating over
150 years of golf

History

Royal Montreal owes its origins to a decision by eight men, then striking gutta-percha balls on Fletcher’s Field in downtown Montreal, to form an independent golf club in 1873. Scottish born Alexander Dennistoun, the Club’s first Captain, would lend his name to the trophy that currently recognizes the men’s club champion. The first female member to join any golf club in North America, Mrs. William Wallace Watson (née Florence Stancliffe) was admitted in 1891. The Club’s location has changed twice since its initial formation, first to Dixie, in the parish of Dorval, in 1896, and then to its current location in Île-Bizard in 1959.

The Royal Connection

In 1884, the Montreal Golf Club added “Royal” to its title, an honorific awarded by Queen Victoria. In the modern day, 66 true “Royal” clubs across the world share this distinction, among them Royal County Down in Ireland, Royal Dornoch in Scotland, and Royal St. George’s and Royal Lytham & St. Annes in England.

Did you know?

In 1896, Royal Montreal moved to the Dixie location, in the parish of Dorval, where it remained until the pressures of urban growth again dictated a decision to move. The clubhouse at Dixie became Queen of Angels Academy for Girls and is now Académie Sainte-Anne. 

Timeline

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.