50 Years of Glen Abbey: A Milestone Anniversary Event

Glen Abbey Members marked a magnificent milestone in fabulous fashion on Friday, August 28, coming together for an unforgettable day celebrating the Club’s 50th Anniversary.

Since opening on June 1, 1976, Glen Abbey Golf Club has hosted thousands of outstanding events. Still, this one was truly extraordinary as the tight-knit group of loyal Members, who love the course and everything else about Canada’s most distinguished layout, gathered to celebrate their chosen home course.

Following a delicious lunch buffet in the ClubLink Room highlighted by a pictorial history of Glen Abbey’s development and historical moments, 144 Members and a few lucky guests enjoyed a picture-perfect afternoon on their favourite course. They followed it up with a delicious four-course dinner attended by 200-plus people, including many spouses, making it a true family gathering.

In 1999, ClubLink acquired the famous stadium course that Jack Nicklaus designed and has proudly served as its steward for more than half of the club’s existence. For 25 years, ClubLink Members have created a special community at Glen Abbey where friendships have flourished, competition is enjoyed, and lasting memories are made.

“I have been playing golf at Glen Abbey for more than 40 years. It is truly a wonderful spot. I couldn’t imagine a better place to be a member. There’s nothing like standing on the 11th tee and heading into the valley. It never gets old. The layout is outstanding and has stood the test of time,” says Tim Zahavich, who remembers the days when he could go for the green in two. “The Members are wonderful, and the staff treat us really well.” Says Ted Maksimowski.

“It was a fantastic party and an amazing day. The food, the competition, everything was great. I think the organizers and Allan did a great job,” says Carmen Bonfiglio, who lived in the Glen Abbey community when he joined the Club as an original Member 23 years ago at the urging of former ClubLink VP Edge Caravaggio, who was a neighbour at the time. “This was a special occasion to bring my wife for a wonderful dinner, and I played golf with my son. I love it every single time I have a chance to play golf with him. I can’t tell you how much fun I have had here over the years. Played in six or seven Interclub championships, and we have a really competitive group, so it’s always a good time,” adds Carmen, who started the Earlier Risers group about 18 years ago, and it’s still going strong.

Fifteen years ago, Denis Schofield was looking to join a golf club. A couple of friends invited him to play Glen Abbey, and he has never looked back.

“The golf course is spectacular. It’s pretty hard not to enjoy Glen Abbey every day you are out here with friends and guests. And we have a great group of Members that keeps us coming back. I really enjoy their company,” says Denis, who has five aces including four on No. 15 and one on No. 3. “Sometimes you think things could be better, but when you’re sitting out here on the patio overlooking 18 having a beer you truly appreciate that it is such a beautiful, historic course and how fortunate we are to be Members.”

Dave Jackson worked in golfer services at Glen Abbey throughout high school and university. Nearly twenty years later, he joined as a Member and has enjoyed every minute of the past four years.

“Proximity to home is key, but it’s the Membership that makes it a great experience — good people. It’s a nice mix of younger and older members who all get along and share a passion for a unique golf course. The design holds people here as well. The variety between the valley and the upper side of the course makes it special. The history, too — the Tiger shot on 18. It’s a very special place to play golf.”

Heidi Greetham has been a ClubLink Glen Abbey Member since membership opened in 2002.

“I grew up here watching the Canadian Open, walking the course, watching all the oldies back in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a thrill to see them play here every year. When the opportunity to join came about, I jumped right in, and I will be here until the bitter end,” says Heidi, who still manages to play 100-plus rounds of golf a year at Glen Abbey. “I just love this place. Terrific Members. Great staff. Nothing to complain about. It doesn’t get any better.”

John Harrigan grew up watching the Canadian Open at Glen Abbey from the Ford Motors Co. tent for years and decided to make it his home course 15 years ago.

“I love the golf course, and the core of Members that we do have are outstanding. Playing here three or four times a week with the same crew is awesome, a great group of guys,” says John, who dressed up in a tribute outfit to Payne Stewart, who played routinely in the Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in the 1990s. “I have lots of terrific memories from the Canadian Open. The year Mike Weir blew it, Tiger’s incredible win and many memorable moments.”

Gurbax Ravi has been a Member at Glen Abbey for two decades!

“The location is important; it’s really close to our residences and businesses, but overall it’s the members and the staff that make it really enjoyable, and that keeps you coming back,” says Gurbax, who played in the tournament with Ray Sidhu. “We love the course. In the summer we play a minimum of four or five games a week. The members make it a great place, and men’s night we stick around, have fun and make friends.”

Allan Huibers, Director of Golf Operations, summed it up this way, “Glen Abbey’s significance goes beyond golf. It’s has been part of the fabric of Oakville and the surrounding community for 50 years. It has brought people together, welcomed visitors from across Canada and around the world, and given Oakville a place it is recognized far beyond our community,” Allan says. “So today, as we celebrate 50 years, we’re really celebrating the people who have made Glen Abbey what it is – our Members, our staff, our partners, our leaders, and everyone who has walked these fairways over the last half-century. Here’s to the next 50 years of great golf, great friendships and great memories.”

While the 50th anniversary celebration wasn’t about winning or losing, members had a lot of fun on the course as the competitive juices flowed. First place in the Sahi Flight went to Gary Young and Doug Rosart, followed by Derek Bullomini and James Wardrop in second and a tie for third between the teams of Denis Schofield and Brian Giandomenio and Geoff Booth and Adam Boutros. Grimm Flight winners included Daniel and Nicholas Desserault, followed by Ben Basra and Rajeev Jishtu in second and a two-way tie for third between Danny Latincic and Jeff Powell and Todd and Jacqueline Miller. Nicklaus Flight went to Ranjit Singh and Lucky Sandal, followed by John Harrigan and Glen French in second and David Jackson and Greg Westlake in third. John Tamindzic and Andrey Kucey finished first in the Simmonds Flight, followed by Gregg Blaha and Neal Dilawri in second and Kevin Pavel and Holly Pavey in third. The Woods Flight went to Adam Coolins and Giac Gelmo, followed by a two-way tie for second between Bryon Lahaise and Wayne Wiggins and Terry Budd and Gord Robb; Terry Frendo and Terry Johnson took third.