History

Craigowan has often been described as a "Diamond in the Rough".  It has a rich history and has produced several great players over the years, while hosting many fine events.  The tale of Craigowan has best been told in the work of golf writer Rick Young in his book, From Fifth to 59 to 2009, available at the Craigowan Pro Shop. 

Craigowan History Video

Please click on the following link to view a brief history of Oxford Golf and Country Club at Craigowan.  This video was created in 2005 to commemorate the opening of the new clubhouse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ9t4yPfJ0U

Humble Beginnings

The Oxford Golf and Country club was founded in July 1909 by a group of golf-loving citizens who purchased some pastureland from Henry Finkle to make the area's first golf course at the end of FifthAve.  Starting out with just 5 holes, the course acquired more land and expanded to 9 holes in 1929.  The dynamic 9-hole course was designed by renowned golfer and gifted professional George Cumming and would remain intact for the next 45 years.

Difficult Times

The 1930's saw the golf memberships dwindle, but the social activities of the club remained an important lifeline for the Club's finances and the club members alike.  Just as we emerged from the Great Depression and things were beginning to pick up steam, World War II erupted and many of our members headed overseas, some of whom would never return to their beloved homeland.  The club struggled to survive economically.

New Beginnings

The post-war era brought about prosperity both in the community and at the club.  With the resurgence of golf's popularity, the club's membership swelled well beyond the capacity of the small 9-hole course and cozy clubhouse.  Unable to expand at its existing location, it was time for the Oxford Golf and Country Club to find a new home.

In 1956, the Oxford Golf and Country Club invited Robbie Robinson, Secretary Manager of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and lead associate for course designer Stanley Thompson, to have a look at some potential properties for the new 18-hole course.  Robinson looked over the Craigowansite and "was in love withit right away."  Without even looking at other properties, he declared "Nothing could come close to this for a golf course."  And with that, the new site was chosen.

Robinson's first "official" solo project resulted in the masterful design of CraigowanGolf Course. Construction of the new course took place though 1957 with the course meeting the board's and Robinson's approval for a soft opening in May 1958.  The official grand opening of the full 18-hole Craigowan Golf Course was September 26, 1959.

The move was not without its share of challenges and growing pains, but under the careful guidance of Head Professional (from 1945 to 1987) Ed Anderson and Grounds Superintendent (from 1955 to 1988) Mans Klingenburg, Craigowan matured into a championship calibre golf course.

Maturing Gracefully

By the 1980's the course was producing a number of outstanding golfers and the Ontario Golf Association staged two of its marquee championships at Craigowan - the Ontario Junior Girls Match Play Championship in 1984 and the Beefeater Ontario Match Play Championship in 1987.

The late 1980's brought changes to Craigowan in the form of new leadership.    With Tony Curtin as the new Head Professional, Graham Wallace as the Club's new General Manager, and Jerry Richard as Greens Superintendent, a new vision of the future potential of the club was at hand.

The 1990's and first decade of the new millennium saw some major improvements to the course with investment in proper drainage and irrigation systems, bunker and tree renovations, and the design and construction of a new practise range.  Ian Andrew, lead associate at Doug Carrick Golf Design in Toronto, was contracted as the design consultant for these projects; he has been a strategic partner for Craigowan's course development ever since.

Coming to Craigowan as Head Professional and General Manager in 1998, Rob Mason'sleadership and long-term vision of the club's potential has brought Craigowan smoothly into the 21st century. 

The Victorian style farmhouse built in 1856 by Arthur Farmer had by this time undergone a number of renovations and expansions; nevertheless, it continued to be extremely limiting in terms of servicing the membership.  It was finally replaced witha modern, full-service clubhouse complete with locker rooms, a fully equipped pro shop, commercial kitchen and meeting and dinning space in 2005, just in time for Craigowan to host the RCGA Canadian Junior Championship.

Looking to the Future

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009, Craigowan Golf Club once again proved itself a worthy test of golf as it hosted the Ontario Men's Amateur Golf Championship.

Moving forward into its second centennial, CraigowanGolf Club is committed to maintaining its position as the best golf course in Oxford County and to continue its tradition of excellence both in terms of golf and in service to its membership.  Craigowan is poised for success as this hidden gem near Woodstock Ontario gains ever more exposure to the country's greatest golfers by hosting championship tournaments while quietly serving its membership a consistently exceptional golf experience.