History

Without a doubt, the province of Québec is where the game of golf first appeared on North American soil more than a century ago when a relocated Scotsman gathered seven of his fellow expatriates and local businessmen to establish the first club in North America, the (Royal) Montreal Golf Club.


In May 1876, the first and longest standing Interclub competition in North America was conducted in a match that opposed the Montreal Golf Club and the Québec Golf Club.

The organization was officially founded in 1920 when the Montréal District Golf Association amended its constitution and changed its name to the Province of Québec Golf Association, enabling golf clubs outside the district of Montréal to benefit from the governance and golf development services rendered by the Association.

In 2005, the memberships of both the Québec Golf Association and the Canadian Ladies Golf Association - Québec Branch voted unanimously for amalgamation and the creation of a new association known as Golf Québec.

Today

Today, stakeholders depend on Golf Québec to knowledgeably, professionally and proactively build interest in, and excitement around the game of golf. The not-for-profit Association has approximately 45,000 men, women and junior members in some 235 golf clubs and is subdivided into eight regions in the province of Québec and Eastern Ontario.

Boasting one of the highest golf participation rates per capita in the World (1,114,000), golf fans in the province of Québec have in the past proved to be formidable hosts to some of Québec’s most cherished annual amateur championships such as the Alexander of Tunis, Duke of Kent and Québec Amateur Championships, and professional events such as the Mackenzie Investments Open, Canadian Open, as well as the globally successful 2007 Presidents Cup.

Golf Québec is proud of its history and assumes the responsibility of protecting the traditions and integrity of the game very seriously. It is committed to openly involving all of its members in initiatives and decisions that will affect our game.

2011 Amalgamation with the Fédération québécoise de golf

On Wednesday, August 31, Golf Québec’s members gathered to vote on the amalgamation project between Golf Québec and the Fédération québécoise de golf. The Assembly unanimously voted in favour of this amalgamation. As a result, on December 1, 2011, Golf Québec’s legal name became the Québec Golf Federation. 

2010-2011, harmonising our programs and services

In 2010, the Royal Canadian Golf Association adopted a new corporate image and name: Golf Canada. Surveys conducted this fall towards clubs and golfers already indicate that the sense of belonging and pride in being a member of Golf Québec / Golf Canada have increased, and that this trend is at its highest in Québec and New Brunswick!
 
The second step of this project was implemented in the fall of 2010 when most of the  10 provincial amateur golf associations adopted a standardized image to demonstrate that “Together we are shaping golf’s future”.
 
 
In November 2010, Golf Québec’s new image was launched on our website as well as on the websites of our eight regional associations. After 90 years, Golf Québec’s mission remains intact. This mission is to provide leadership and promote the growth and development of amateur golf in all our regions while preserving the integrity and traditions of the game. The success of our programs surely demonstrates that we are on the right path!
 

Amalgamation with the CLGA - Québec Branch

On April 1, 2005, the new 'Golf Québec' came into existence.
Between the end November 2004 and February 2005, a merger committee met several times and began the process of composing numerous documents necessary for amalgamation.
On March 4, 2005 , the membership of QGA voted unanimously for the amalgamation of the QGA and CLGA. Then, on March 7, 2005 , the membership of CLGA Québec Branch also voted unanimously to approve the creation of a new association known as the Québec Golf Association.

These two separate votes were taken, in Dorval , Québec, during Special General Meetings of Members of the CLGA Québec branch and of the QGA.

Québec Golf Association (QGA) - 1920 to 2005

Without a doubt, the Province of Québec is where the game of golf appeared first on the North American continent. More than a century ago, in 1873, the Royal Montreal Golf Club opened its doors. On April 5, 1920 , the Montréal District Golf Association amended its constitution to change its name. The Province of Québec Golf Association was created to allow clubs that were not in the Montréal District to join the group. The Québec Golf Association was taking its first steps.

The Québec population strongly supports the healthy, mental and moral aspects of golf, this game of a lifetime. As a matter of fact, the number of its adepts is estimated to 700,000. The Québec Golf Association is proud of its history and of its mandate to protect this noble sport.

Organization

Founded in 1920, the Québec Golf Association always tries to increase and improve its list of services. Golfers, through their membership in a member club, are automatically members of the Association.

The Québec Golf Association is a non-profitable organization. Its mandate is to render services to golf clubs and their male members by organizing regional and provincial championships, supervising junior development, selecting teams, managing the handicap system, applying the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status. The Québec Golf Hall of Fame is also under its jurisdiction.

The dues collected from each individual member are solely used to improve the management and development of golf. A part of those dues is also remitted to the Royal Canadian Golf Association for the administration of golf at a national and international level. Another important part of the budget is reserved for junior golf development and what is left is used for the organization of golf championships at a regional and provincial level.

The Association is managed by a group of 56 volunteer Directors. It is subdivided in eight districts gathering over 315 clubs. District committees are operating in the Montréal, Ottawa , Québec City , Eastern Townships , Lower St. Lawrence , Mauricie, Saguenay/Lac St-Jean/Chibougamau, and Abitibi regions.

Canadian Ladies' Golf Association (CLGA) - Québec Branch - 1921 to 2005
 
It was with the founding of the Canadian Ladies' Golf Union in 1913 that women began playing on a continuing, organized basis.
A Québec branch of the CLGU was formed in 1921 and its founding president was Mrs. Beverly Robinson. The following is a little history of the events that have transpired since 1921.
 
A new tournament was created: the Provincial Junior Girls Championship. It was played at the same time as the City and District Championships. A total of 10 girls played in this 36-hole stroke play tournament (35 handicap limit).
2005 March 7, 2005 is the date that the merger with the QGA is approved at a Special Meeting of the members of the Québec Branch of the CLGA.
2003 Lisa Meldrum wins the Canadian Amateur Championship.
Lisa Meldum, Véronique Drouin and Christine Boucher are named to the National Team.
2002 Lisa Meldrum wins the Canadian Amateur Championship.
Nancy Walker wins the CLGA distinguished service award.
Lisa Meldrum is on the Canadian Team representing Canada at the World Amateur.
2001 Lisa Meldrum wins the Canadian Amateur Championship.
Christine Boucher wins the Canadian Junior Championship.
2000 Lisa Meldrum wins the Canadian Junior Championship.
1996-1997 Mary Drummie is named National President of CLGA.
1996 New executive secretary named : Suzanne Beauregard.
Jocelyne Bourassa inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Québec Match Play Championship inaugurated. The winner was Isabelle Blais.
1995 On October 19 th , 1995 , Kay Lynch retires after many years of dedicated service to the Québec Branch.
1994 New training program for 'elite' golfers headed by Debbie Savoy-Morel.
1993 Mary-Ann Lapointe wins the Canadian Amateur Championship.
1992 Marie-Josée Rouleau wins the Canadian Amateur Championship.
New Québec Branch is introduced (ACG comes before CLGA in logo).
1991 2 representatives from Québec on the National Team: Eve-Lyne Biron and Debbie Savoy-Morel.
Slope System introduced.
1990 World Team has 2 representatives from Québec: Eve-Lyne Biron and Mary Ann Lapointe.
Marie-Josée Desbiens wins the Canadian Junior Championship.
1989 Inaugural BMW National Club Team event.
1987 Marie-Josée Rouleau wins the Canadian Junior Championship.
1980-1981 CLGA National President is Nancy Walker.
1978 Mauricie district is formed.
Michèle Guilbault wins the National Junior Championship.
1977 A record 496 Québec Branch lady golfers scored less that 100 for the first time. 58 ladies made holes-in-one.
Québec Branch is incorporated as a non-profit organization.
1975 3 day clinic for 24 juniors held in July in Shawinigan . Clinic organized by Jocelyne Bourassa, Shelly Hamlin, Cathy Duggan and Gilles Bourassa.
A Québec Branch Captain's Manual is published in English and French.
1974 Start of Québec-Ontario challenge match for promising golfers between the ages of 19 & 29 years of age.
1973 National award of greatest reduction percentage in handicap : Suzanne Beauregard , Nun's Island Golf Club (35 handicap to 10 handicap : 71.43%).
Jocelyne Bourassa captures the title of La Canadienne a LPGA tournament held in Montréal.
1972 New Québec Branch Logo is introduced.
1971 First Branch president who can bost with pride of having 3 National Championship winners (Louise Larochelle, Jocelyne Bourassa, Dulcie Lyle).
Creation of Junior Golf Camp inaugurated at YMCA camp at Lac Masson.
Dulcie Lyle wins inaugural Canadian Senior Championship.
1970 A record 394 Québec Branch lady golfers scored less that 100 for the first time.
1968 Margaret Mussells (Québec) is named National President of CLGA.
1967 CLGA reports are now bilingual.
1966 Name change of the National from CLGU to CLGA.
Unfortunate accident in swimming pool and Hélène Gagnon substitutes for Jocelyne Bourassa in team championship. Hélène Gagnon goes on to win the Canadian Amateur Championship.
1965 Revised copy of the by-laws is accepted at a special general meeting.
Jocelyne Bourassa (as a junior) wins the Canadian Amateur Championship. She recorded a hole-in-one on the 177 yard 4 th hole ( Westmount , On.).
1964 Introduction of a new handicap system.
First time that the junior provincial championship is held outside of Montréal. Winner is Jocelyne Bourassa with rounds of 77 and 80.
1963 Miss Jocelyne Bourassa is both junior and amateur champion.
1962 Creation of the Montréal District. Tournaments for the Montréal area were handled by the provincial branch.
Junior development committee begins to have area representatives.
1961 First Mother-Daughter tournament: Winners are Mrs A.B. Darling and Mary Darling.
Judy Darling wins Canadian Amateur Championship.
Janet MacWha wins Canadian Close Championship.
1960 Kay Lynch becomes executive secretary of the Québec Branch.
Judy Darling wins Canadian Amateur Championship.
Dulcie Lyle wins Canadian Close Championship.
1959 Field days are separate into 3 divisions (0-18, 19-25, 26-36 handicap).
New method of national annual fees for the clubs. The Québec branch receives 25% of the amounts collected by the National.
Two rallies held early in the season to collect funds for junior girl golfers. Miss Janet MacWha and Mrs Robert Lyle talk to the junior girls about golf.
1957 Miss Judy Darling is both junior and amateur champion.
Also, Miss Judy Darling wins the Canadian Junior Championship.
1955 A complete revision of the Constitution and By-Laws was made and these were approved at the Annual General Meeting.
 Miss Joyce Alston is both junior and amateur champion.
1954 Québec District is formed.
1952 Junior Girl's Championship is resumed (stopped in 1941). Winner was Miss Janet MacWha and the runner-up was Miss Judy Darling.
52 players had a handicap of 10 or less (18 had a handicap of 6 or less).
1951 Louisa Currie (Québec) becomes National President.
1950 Mary Pyke wins Canadian Close Championship.
1948 Cost of a rule book was 25 cents.
1939-1945 Québec branch joined a Red Cross Group raising thousands of dollars for the Ambulance Fund and Spitfire fund. The ladies set up rooms at the mezzanine floor of the Dominion Square building.
During the war years, the Québec Branch collected a total of $36,279.21 as their contribution towards the War Service Fund.
1936 Dora Darling wins Canadian Amateur Championship.
1934 Provinicial Branches are given the authority by CLGU to raise funds for sending Provincial teams to play an Interprovincial match at the time of the Canadian Open and Close Championship (50 cents each member through their clubs).
Start of the 4 ball championship held at Laval-sur-le-Lac (132 teams).
1932 Creation of the Eastern Township district.
Margery Kirkham wins Canadian Amateur Championship.
1930 Miss Margery Kirkham wins Canadian Close Championship.
1929 9 Competitive events are held. Mrs J. Dagenais becomes the first French Canadian woman to hold the Provincial Championship.
1928A new tournament was created: the Provincial Junior Girls Championship. It was played at the same time as the City and District Championships. A total of 10 girls played in this 36-hole stroke play tournament (35 handicap limit). 
1927 Inauguration of the notion of field days (216 players played in the Laval-sur-le-Lac event and 135 players played at the Islesmere event).
1925 Creation of National Handicap Manager to supervise all districts and hold meetings of handicap managers. Miss Helen Lesueur, Ottawa is appointed.
1923 Ottawa District is formed and joins the Québec branch of the CLGU.
1921 Québec branch of CLGU is established.
 

Historic Facts

Centennial (1920-2020) 
 
Complete listing of our Past Presidents
 
 
History of the Duke of Kent Trophy
 
History of the Alexander of Tunis tournament