by Michel Hébert

The life of Dorval Municipal Golf Club begins with the founding of Elm Ridge Country Club.  The original nine-hole Elm Ridge course was created out of a parcel of farmland in the Parish of Lachine known as the “Savage Property” and designed by Albert Warren "Tillie"Tillinghast.  Tillinghast-designed courses include Bethpage State Park, New York, Baltusrol Golf Club, New Jersey, Winged Foot Golf Club, New York and many others.

Elm Ridge’s official opening was on July 26, 1925 and included hundreds of invited guests, including prominent and hard-working community members, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Dorval.  In 1926, a plan was presented to raise funds for a second nine.  Tillinghast was called back and the back nine was completed by the summer of 1927.  Seven of these nines holes form the backbone of Dorval Municipal Golf Club.

The Elm Ridge property at Dorval bordered the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, directly across Lakeshore Road from the St. Lawrence Yacht Club.  The Elm Ridge clubhouse (location of the current Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre) was situated at the southeastern part of the property, and the course headed northward.

In the 1920’s, irrigation was not a typical feature of a golf course design.  While the greens and tees in Dorval received sufficient attention, in the form of hand-watering, the fairways were usually bone-dry and rock-hard by mid-summer, a situation that is still experienced in 2010.

In 1942, a fire broke out in one of the Club’s maintenance sheds and quickly spread to the main Clubhouse.  Though the fire was contained, there was much damage.  Wartime restrictions on materials prevented a proper rebuilding.  In 1948, the clubhouse was finally rebuilt.  This new clubhouse is the present location and foundation of Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre.

In 1956, Elm Ridge’s Dorval property found itself in the path of progress.  In March 1957, the government expropriated the land north of Highway 20 for expansion of Dorval Airport.  By 1957, Elm Ridge had obtained acreage on Ile Bizard which is their current site.  At the summer end of 1959, a week of festivities marked the Elm Ridge farewell to Dorval. 

In May 1958, a three member committee was formed to study the question of Dorval acquiring Elm Ridge Country Club for civic purposes.

In October 1959, the Lakeshore News reported that a notice of motion was given at a Dorval City Council meeting that at a future meeting a bylaw would be sought giving council powers to buy a portion of Elm Ridge golf course for use by the city as a city hall, civic centre and recreation area.  It was understood that the portion of the land sought would include the Elm Ridge clubhouse.

On January 7, 1960, the Dorval City Council approved that the Dorval Recreation Association was authorized to proceed with the necessary development of a municipal golf course – the Dorval Golf Club.

With the departure of the Elm Ridge County Club, in early 1960 Dorval began negotiations with the Department of Transport to acquire the land north of the tracks. This parcel of land had constituted the back seven holes of Elm Ridge and the desire was to add two more holes and build a nine-hole golf course for Dorval residents.

By the end of March 1960, local Montreal newspapers announced that plans for the operation of a nine-hole municipal golf course in Dorval had progressed to a point that play would begin by May 1, 1960.  Work on the additional two holes (to be added to the original seven from Elm Ridge) was well underway and expected to be finished as soon as weather permitted.

The City of Dorval donated a prefabricated building for use as a Pro Shop.  It was hoped that a more permanent structure would be erected.  This “temporary” structure lasted for 48 years.

On April 29, 1960, the Council of the City of Dorval approved By-Law 487 establishing the development of a Municipal Golf Course.  This by-law authorized Council to enter into an agreement with the Government of Canada in order to lease a certain emplacement formerly forming part of the golf course then used by the Elm Ridge County Club. The Council was also authorized to establish on the said emplacement a municipal golf course, and to equip, maintain and improve same adequately. In addition, the Council was authorized to build two additional holes as well as a Clubhouse and Pro Shop and purchase some mechanical equipment. 

The two additional holes that were added (numbers 2 and 8) to the seven holes north of Highway 20 constituted the Dorval Golf Club.  Four of the Dorval Golf Club greens (1, 4, 7 and 9) were from the original Elm Ridge Country Club (founded 1924), and remain virtually unchanged today.

May 14, 1960 saw the opening of the golf course; however, the official opening of Dorval Golf Club was held on August 6, 1960.  Two new swimming pools at Surrey Gardens and Ballantyne Park were also opened officially on the same day by Mayor John Pratt accompanied by other dignitaries.  Short opening ceremonies and displays were arranged at each pool and the golf course and the official party moved in a cavalcade from site to site.

On November 18, 1960, the City of Dorval voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign a lease between Her Majesty the Queen and the City of Dorval for 47.21 acres (more or less) to be used for the purposes of a golf course.  The lease was signed on February 10, 1961.

The first president of the Dorval Golf Club was Sid Thomas.

In October 1973, the Dorval City Council passed a bylaw requiring that the Golf Club be controlled directly by the City under the Director of Recreation.  This bylaw also authorized that a committee elected from the membership would be responsible for the day to day operation of the golf program.  At the time of the transfer to the city, the course became known as the Dorval Municipal Golf Club.

In 1975, the City of Dorval passed a resolution in principle for a project to renovate the Golf Club facilities which involved minor repairs to the clubhouse.

For many years, the club had a full membership of Dorval residents only.  The lease with the Department of Transport (DOT) is reviewed and renewed every five years.  The fear has always been there that the DOT would reclaim the land for their use but to date the club has been fortunate that this has not happened completely.  The course has lost some land over the years, shortening holes 3, 4, 5, and 6.   Greens 3, 5 and 6 were constructed when airport expansion took some of the land in 1985.  Green 2 was rebuilt as well.  Changes to the course were assisted by Graham Cooke.

Managers over the course of the club's history have included Mrs. Bergson, Mrs. Malwyn, Mr. Brown and Mr. François Paris.  In 1989, Glenn Barrette was hired as the Club Manager and continues in this position today.

In the 1990’s, with a decline in membership of Dorval residents, the membership was opened to non-residents.  At the time, non-residents were to have no vote nor allowed to serve on committees.  In time, the club's bylaws have changed, allowing non-residents to vote and to serve in non-executive committee posts.

In late 2007, work began on a new clubhouse.  It was officially opened on October 5, 2008 by Mayor Edgar Rouleau, members of City Council and other dignitaries.  Many volunteers were instrumental in putting the finishing touches on the new clubhouse.  Along with the new clubhouse a liquor license was obtained, allowing more events to be held at the club.

At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, Dorval Municipal Golf Club awarded an honorary life time membership to Mr. Leon Barrette in recognition of his many years of volunteer work and his long time membership of the golf club (a member since 1961).  Other distinguished members include Ken Toy, Bernard McLaughlin, Sid Thomas, William Wipps and Grace McCann.

As an historical note, in 1960, the family membership was $75 and $40 for a weekday membership.  In 1977, the family membership was $190 and $100 for a weekday membership. In 1980, the family membership was $210 and $110 for a weekday membership.  In 2010, the family membership is $810 and $660 for a weekday membership.

Today the greens at Dorval Municipal Golf Club are on average 4,300 square feet; greens on modern courses have an average of 6,000 to 7,000 square feet.