Reston Recreation - Golf

Map showing locations of three Reston Golf Courses over the years

This summer will mark 96 years since the first citizens set up a local golf course. Trails Along the Pipestone (1981) says it was  July 3, 1926 when a board chaired by Reston - Wolseley CPR Roadmaster Dave Livingston and secretary treasurer Elmer McMurchy began the club. Elmer was the son of community builders Colin and Agnes McMurchy and was employed as a bookkeeper. Their 3 hole course was more bush than fairway and could be found south of the tracks and east of the roundhouse. Fees charged were a quarter a game. In 1939, local man Reg Berry had the first hole in one. In the late 1940’s the land was sold so golfers needed to find a new spot to play. 

A three hole course was then set up on a tourist park where the school and rink sit today. A "Tourist Park" was likely an overnight camping or stopping spot although it's not a term often used today.  It was decided that spot was too small and fell out of use.

In 1952, the doctor’s wife, Winnifred (Wilson) Clark, led a charge to reestablish a golf course. Her son-in-law C.S. Campbell chaired a committee with Larry Robinson as secretary treasurer to find a suitable spot. They studied a location north of the highway in the fair grounds area but nothing was found that would work so the matter was dropped for the time.

Photo from McKee Archives at Brandon University about 1963

Finally in 1959, the present spot was leased and three holes were ready for play in June of that year.  The course was expanded to nine holes and grass greens replaced sand as the years went on.  Trees were planted and members were always willing to help with upgrades and changes. 

Presidents over the years up to 1981 have been community businessmen and leaders Al Owen (meat market), Larry Robinson (insurance), Lew Trail (meat market and cafe owner), Bill Isles (school custodian), Bruce Marlin (CPR station agent), Wayne Morrow (pharmacist), Les Isles (CPR maintenance worker), Bill Hume (mechanic) and Ross Tycoles (credit union manager and insurance). Many members served on committees to make their course a better place. Some of these committees included tournaments, lunch, membership, grounds and equipment.

Moving former Legion to golf course for a clubhouse -June 1994

In the beginning, hole #1 was located along the highway.  In 1994, that clubhouse was relocated farther south and was used for mower and equipment storage. That spring, the former Legion clubhouse was moved across town to give a larger space.

 Renovations over the years added a large deck and updated washroom and kitchen space. A new clubhouse is under construction this winter and the Empire Advance story here says it will be a 2500 square foot space attached to a screened deck and large canopy area with views of the Reston Lake. Recreation for citizens and visitors alike continues to be a priority 96 years later.