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seemed almost reluctant to welcome new The revamped course opened in 1930
members, especially those who had not and featured, besides additional holes,
attained a ‘proper station in life.’ a new bridge across Groff Creek to
In 1928, this issue led to a group of golf provide easier access to the clubhouse
fans to begin planning the creation of an and a parking area. In June of that year,
18-hole course to be called the Galt Golf Dr. James Wardlaw, a club member since
and Country Club on a 110-acre site south 1907, scored the first hole-in-one at the
of Galt, near Sheffield. expanded course at the 7th hole. He was
79 at the time.
Renowned golf-course architect Stanley
Thompson had been retained to design As the years passed, the Galt Country Club Galt Country Club photo
the course, with nine holes slated to open underwent many additional changes, The Chamber voiced its concern against
by August of 1929 and the remaining holes including the introduction of curling in the plan, which was soon shelved but
the following year. Its owners promised the mid-1960s and officially changing its resulted in the construction of Canamera
to provide golfers the chance to play for corporate name in 1970 to Galt Country Parkway.
a minimal cost and by the end of 1928, Club Limited. In preparation, the club had In the late 1990s, another big change
approximately 70 members had signed been using both Waterloo County and occurred when the club’s original
on. Galt Country Club names interchangeably clubhouse was demolished to make way
since the 1960s.
The ‘threat’ of this new course resulted for the current one which opened in June
in serious discussions between the two Not long a ter the official name change, of 2000 as well as redevelopment of
clubs which agreed to amalgamate in the club faced a potential crisis in the late several holes which opened for their first
1929, and Galt Golf and Country Club’s 70 1970s when plans for a proposed East- full season of play in 2006.
members immediately accepted into the West Arterial Road leading from Franklin Today, the Galt Country Club continues to
membership at Riverview. Boulevard would see it cut through the be an important part of the community
property, with a proposed bridge to be
As well, shareholders endorsed the constructed across the Grand River to and strong supporter of the Cambridge
purchase of an additional 35 to 37 acres to connect with George Street North. Chamber of Commerce playing host for
transform the club into an 18-hole venue, more than 50 years to its annual Golf
with Thompson as its designer. Classic, as well as various events.

www.cambridgechamber.com Spring 2024 29