\t\t\t\tKettle Valley Golf 100 Years old in 2025<\/p>\n
Sources: Vancouver Province, Grand Forks Gazette, Greenwood Ledge, Nelson Daily News; Map Ghost Towns & Mining Camps of the Boundary Country by Garnet Basque; Photos (coloured) Ted Gane<\/p>\n
In 1990 the Museum contacted the Kettle Valley GC seeking information on the formation of the golf club. Ted Gane responded with an extremely valuable informative letter providing first hand knowledge about the club in the 1930\u2019s. Research shows that Ted joined the club as a junior member in 1928, His father, G. Beven Gane, served the club as the secretary\/treasurer from 1925 \u2013 1937. GB Gane arrived in Kettle Valley in 1922. He farmed for about a decade; then purchased the local hardware store. He served the area until his death as the local postmaster and the Justice of the Peace. Beven Gane definitely played a significant role for the club by\u00a0 encouraging the club to live within their means. \u00a0Along with George Walters the two provided strong leadership to the membership. When many small clubs throughout the province failed during the depression years, Kettle Valley kept the doors open.<\/p>\n
This article describes the development of golf along the boundary area from Oliver to Osoyoos to Rock Creek, to Greenwood and to Grand Forks. We focus on the Kettle Valley GC because our research shows the club is 100 years old in 2025. The Kettle Valley Golf Course website claims the course opened in 1927. The club also makes this broad statement: \u201cWe are the longest continuous golf course in BC.\u201d Kettle Valley justified their claim because the club never closed during WW2. Many clubs in the province would certainly dispute this claim. The Victoria Golf Club (1893)\u00a0 is considered to be the oldest continuous golf club in its original location in Canada. Victoria never closed for either War. The Vancouver GC (1910), Royal Colwood (1913), Qualicum (1913), Uplands (1922), Marine Drive (1922), and Point Grey (1922) are examples of golf course on their original locations that never closed for WW2.<\/p>\n
Early golf in the Kootenays<\/p>\n
Previous research shows the following clubs existed in the Kootenays prior to 1925. \u00a0Cranbrook (1904, 1910, 1913), Grand Forks (1913 – 1952), Nelson (1919), Fernie (1920), Rossland-Trail (1922), \u00a0New Denver (1923 \u2013 late 1930\u2019s), Slocan (1923), Kaslo (1924), and Kimberley. Grand Forks closed in 1951.<\/p>\n
Grand Forks, the first golf club to form in the area, dated from 1913. The Greenwood Ledge April 16, 1925 challenged \u00a0the residents in the area.\u201dNo place with any ambition for its future can progress without a golf course. Greenwood has fallen into line, and has its own nine hole golf course. Naturally the course is still in the rough, but what has already been accomplished reflects great credit on the committee of citizens who personally went to work and manufactured the course.\u201d The article singles out Dr A, Francis, Chas King, KM Spence, and PH McCurrach as the leaders for the project.<\/p>\n
Residents of Kettle Valley soon followed the Greenwood citizens.\u00a0 Under the leadership of Major Gray the prospective golfers began the steps to construct\u00a0 their own course and form a golf club. Major Gray earlier was the guiding light for the formation of the skating and curling clubs as well as the basketball team.\u00a0 Major Gray and GB Gane convinced the local receiver for the defunct Kettle Valley Irrigated Fruit Lands Ltd to lease the land for the purpose of constructing a golf course.<\/p>\n
The following clippings from the Greenwood Ledge definitely show the Kettle Valley Golf Club was in full operation in 1925.<\/p>\n
The Ledge (Greenwood) July 16, 1925<\/p>\n
\u201cThe site for the KVGC has been decided upon. It will be mainly north and west of the monument near the Ingram bridge. A bee will be organized shortly to fix up the green and it is hoped soon to have an opening picnic, Local rule \u201cPlease replace the stumps.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ledge (Greenwood) August 6th<\/sup>, 1925<\/p>\n \u201cLocal golfers were delighted with their visit to the KVGC on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ledge\u00a0 (Greenwood) Aug 13, 1925<\/p>\n \u201cA meeting will be held at Major Gray\u2019s on Wed August 19th<\/sup> to formalize the formation of the KVGC. It is hoped that any who are interested within a five-mile radius of Kettle Valley will try to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ledge\u00a0 (Greenwood). September 7 1925<\/p>\n \u201cA most entertaining game of golf was played on the Greenwood course when the men from the KVGC locked horns with the local pill chasers. The game ended all square. The visitors were loud in their praise of the work accomplished by the local committee in manufacturing the golf course and intimated their intention of coming again.\u201d<\/p>\n At the Annual General Meeting for the club on April 4th<\/sup>, 1926 the membership decided to accept the offer from the receiver to purchase the property for $115. To finance the purchase, the club sold \u00a0$10 debentures at no interest. Thirty members in attendance quickly purchased the subscription. Utilizing work bees, the club members \u00a0constructed the \u00a0course. \u00a0The Board rewarded the volunteer work provided by the members with reduced annual dues. For members who volunteer to work on the course annually $4 and\u00a0\u00a0 for nonworking members annual subscription $8. \u00a0In 1926 the club installed permanent sand greens with a fence surrounding each green. The fences discouraged the cattle and local wild animals from damaging the greens.<\/p>\n In 1926 the Kettle Valley city directory lists the area population as 150 residents. Probably 30 \u2013 50 played golf. The early members of the club included: Major Gray, Major Glossop, \u00a0GM Gane, J and brother E. Richter, A. And brother F. Roberts, F. Bulbar, A. Lander, Dorman, HW \u00a0Gregory, D. Hamilton, Rev Smyth HWR Moore, Whiting, King, Beckett, Bruce, Bush, and Hamilton Interestingly the local teacher played complimentary. The club advertised \u00a0the course at the local hotels. The Grand Forks Gazette and the Greenwood Ledge frequently mentioned \u00a0the names and towns of the US visitors who stopped to play the course. Judging from the annual financial reports the KVGC definitely benefited financially from the visitors.<\/p>\n When Dick Moore, son of local resident HWR Moore, won the BC Men\u2019s Amateur title, the Kettle Valley GC celebrated his victory. During the summers Dick frequently played in the Kettle Valley club events.<\/p>\n In 1928 George Wallace joined the Kettle Valley GC Board. George arrived at Greenwood around 1920.\u00a0 Initially he worked \u00a0in the mining business. After a couple of years he \u00a0changed to garage owner. While serving as the city clerk. the membership elected him President of the club from 1930. When he suddenly in 1948 the club lost their long time president plus the man who guided the club though the rocky times.<\/p>\n Tribute to G. Beven Gane<\/p>\n The club presented him with a set of drinking cups in a leather case. The value of the article was a small token of the appreciation from the members. \u201cHis untiring efforts for the welfare of the organization cannot be estimated and his sportsman like speech on the reception of the gift was small in comparison to the high value a man of his solidity supplied the club.\u201d At each AGM the membership passed a motion to pay him for his many services to the club. He emphatically refused the offer. He died unexpectedly on August 10 1944<\/p>\n The Greenwood course probably closed around 1930. The Greenwood GC existed until about 1935 because the Kettle Valley members allowed the Greenwood members to play their club events at the Kettle Valley course. During \u00a0the mid 1930\u2019s the Greenwood membership slowly amalgamated with the Kettle Valley membership.<\/p>\n The Oliver GC formed in 1926 after Lieutenant Governor Randolph Bruce gave a group of aspiring Oliver golfers land where they could construct a course. In 1928 the Kettle Valley club began regular home and home competitions with the new club.\u00a0 The Greenwood Ledge September 29, 1927 \u00a0\u201cA few of Kettle Valley\u2019s golf players expect to visit Oliver on Sunday to have a round on the famous cantaloupe golf course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSunday was an almost perfect day for a game of golf. Cool with that delightful clear atmosphere which Kettle Valley is noted for. The golf course is looking perfectly superb with the group of trees rich in autumn tints and its beautiful scenery dotted with stately pines The clubhouse is not yet completed but when it reaches that stage it will be a most picturesque building fit to adorn a fashionable golf links.\u201d<\/p>\n The clubhouse is a fine example of living within their means as recommended by secretary\/treasurer Gane. The first mention to constructing a clubhouse appeared at he April 19th<\/sup>, 1928 Annual General Meeting. The Kettle Valley members asked the Board to approach the Greenwood members to assist with the cost. The clubhouse was built from timbers scavenged from the flumes of the early day irrigation system used by the previous defunct Irrigation company On the property was an old flume This was wrecked and the 2 inch planks were used for the first floor. \u00a0The walls were built of the 4×4 timbers, the only cost being the shingles for the roof, doors and windows. Through volunteer labor and only spending available funds the clubhouse took 2 years to complete. \u00a0March 29 1929 \u201cThe clubhouse is rapidly nearing completion and will soon make an attractive addition to the lovely links.\u201d April 12 1930 \u201cThe new flooring for the clubhouse has arrived. It is expected that a bee will be organized to do the carpentry work. When the clubhouse is fully completed a series of card parties will be held to pay off the clubhouse debt. AGM Nov 14, 1930 \u201cclubhouse completed. G Gane thanked for all his contributions to the club.\u201d<\/p>\n Ted Gane\u2019s letter provides valuable insight into the activities of the Kettle Valley GC during the 1930\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cIn its heyday the clubhouse was a social gathering point on Sundays with whole families attending. Picnics under the pines and afternoon tea in the clubhouse were commonplace. Most kids (myself included) played golf and were welcomed on the course. \u00a0If not golfing they may have spent the time swimming in the nearby Kettle River or catching frogs in the sloughs located on the property. A very leisurely and pleasant atmosphere \u2013 hardly comparable to today\u2019s golfing where one lines up for tee off, must hustle to keep up, and when its all over grab one\u2019s clubs and head for home.<\/p>\n In the early days tournaments were arranged between the Grand Forks (east 45 miles) Kettle Valley, and Osoyoos (west 35 miles) clubs.<\/p>\n On a recent trip to Penticton (1990), I dropped in at the old clubhouse. The clubhouse was locked, but fastened to the building is a sturdy metal payment box \u00a0with slot and a sign above stating \u201cGreen Fees $4.) But the padlock to the box was missing and the door wide open. Inside, written on the back of a cigarette package was a note \u201cWe owe you $8. And signed by two gentlemen from Osoyoos. The club was kept alive (but at times only just) from 1928 to the present. And basically, has not changed over the 60 years I have heard, but do not know if true that the village of Midway now owns the property.\u201d<\/p>\n Golfers from Midway, Bridesville, Myers Creek, Eholt, Rock Creek, Phoenix, Rock Creek travelled on Sundays to play a round of golf. These frequent visitors added to the financial viability of the club.<\/p>\n Men and women competed in the same handicap tournaments. \u201cLadies to add 10 strokes to their handicap when playing with the men.\u201d Opponents may agree to play as many holes as they wish but not less than 9.<\/p>\n Due to the efforts of Major Gray, a strong Conservative supporter on August 9, 1929 Hon, RB Bennett, the Prime Minster of Canada, visited the links on his cross Canada trip.<\/p>\n During his visit to Osoyoos on May 21, 1929, \u00a0Lieutenant Governor Randolph Bruce, accompanied by his niece Miss Mackenzie and her parents, the Hon WA and Mrs Mackenzie, attended the official opening for the Osoyoos Golf Club. Miss Mackenzie struck the first drive.\u00a0 Ted Gane wrote his mother never liked the Osoyoos course even though she represented Kettle Valley in the annual interclub matches. \u201cAs a passing comment my mother disliked visiting the Osoyoos club as the course at that time was built on a desert area at the foot of Osoyoos Hill, now called Anarchist Mountain. The old course is now covered with orchards. Mother always complained that the course was full of boulders, dust, cactus, and rattlesnakes.\u201d<\/p>\n March 28, 1930 AGM: 30 members attended. The financials showed a $40 outstanding debt due to course improvements and the clubhouse. The membership quickly began hosting events to eliminate the debt. \u00a0The membership elected President GS Walters, and Secretary \/Treasurer GBM Gane.<\/p>\n The Beaverdell golfers found the distance to the Kettle Valley course to far to join. R. Staples, a founder of the Cranbrook GC and the Crow\u2019s Nest Golf Association, and President of the\u00a0 Kelowna GC founded the Beaverdell GC in 1930. Research indicates the course likely closed in the around 1940. \u00a0\u201cBeaverdell course nice links but a bit tricky\u201d In 1935 the club added ground to expand the five hole course to expand to 9 holes.\u201d<\/p>\n Inter Boundary Cup competition between Grand Forks, Kettle Valley, and Osoyoos began in 1930. For the twenty year life of the event, Kettle Valley \u00a0hosted the visiting clubs each year. \u00a0Strangely the three clubs involved never invited the Oliver club to join the event. When Grand Forks folded around 1952 the event ceased operation. If Oliver was part of the event perhaps the inter-club competition \u00a0may have survived. Four man teams from each club competed over 27 holes. The aggregate score for the four club players determined the winning club. The initial event at the KVGC on Oct 10th<\/sup>, 1930\u00a0 corresponded to the official opening of the KV clubhouse. Kettle Valley won inaugural event \u00a0The Kettle Valley Team: A. Roberts 93, E. Richter 95, E.H. Croucher 95, Joe Richter 97; Grand Forks Team: J. Muir\u00a0 95, FH Cagson 95, EC Henniger 100, AP Crow 112; Osoyoos Team : F. Plaskett 101, R. Lewis 103, RH Plaskett 106, D. Burpee 114. J. Muir , Grand Forks, shot lowest nine hole score of 45.<\/p>\n Newspaper: May 13 1932 New benches\u00a0 placed next to each green under the shade of the stately pines added to the course.<\/p>\n At the 1934 AGM the Kettle Valley club had a $70 balance in bank account,\u00a0 32 members attended. The Board said the\u00a0 course would be rolled and the greens and tees oiled. The course would be lengthened by 25 yards. The membership honoured Arthur Lander for his service to the club as their caretaker for the course and the clubhouse. Arthur, one of the oldest citizens (1895) in the Kettle Valley area, managed the Kettle Valley Farmer\u2019s Institute for many years. He passed away on June 28, 1950.<\/p>\n 1935 AGM Pres GS Walters new secretary\/treasurer A Lander<\/p>\n 1936 Golf course fenced so the cattle could not roam about at will on the course<\/p>\n 1938 AGM Course would be mowed rolled and levelled as much as possible Greens a new coat of sand with an extra coating of oil<\/p>\n In 1950 the Inter Boundary competition ceased. Newspaper research indicates the Kettle Valley club may have ceased operation also. The Grand Forks Gazette reported on May 12, 1955; \u201cThe revival of the tricky, pleasant Kettle Valley Golf Course is presently being planned by golf enthusiasts in the west end of the Boundary. The Kettle Valley course has seen little use during the past few years and its revival will be welcomed throughout the district. A meeting held last week in Midway resulted in a work party Sunday at which the volunteers were able to get the lower greens back into shape and undertake other repairs that were needed.\u201d This effort may have been short lived. The Official opening for the Kettle Valley golf course did not occur until May 7, 1959. \u201cThe Gazette reported; The Boundary district will once again have a full fledged busily operating golf club on Sunday May 12th<\/sup> 1959.The club executive, members, and golfers have been busy the past few weeks getting the course in top shape and it is in better\u00a0 condition than it has been for several years. \u201c<\/p>\n As Ted Gane described in his letter the club has survived\u00a0 for 100 years because of passionate, dedicated volunteers.<\/p>\n Inter Boundary Cup<\/p>\n Men\u2019s\u00a0 1930 Kettle Valley;1931 no event, 1932 Grand Forks; 1933 Osoyoos, 1934 Grand Forks, 1935 Grand Forks, 1936 Kettle Valley, 1937 Kettle Valley, 1938 Grand Forks, 1939 Grand Forks, 1940 Grand Forks, 1941 Grand Forks, 1942 Osoyoos, 1943 Osoyoos, 1944 Grand Forks, 1945 Osoyoos, 1946 Osoyoos, 1947 Osoyoos, 1948 Osoyoos, 1949 Kettle Valley, 1950 Kettle Valley<\/p>\n Donaldson Cup (donated in 1936 for the Women\u2019s competition.)<\/p>\n 1937 Osoyoos, 1938 Grand Forks, 1939 Grand Forks, 1940 Grand Forks, 1941 Grand Forks, 1942 Grand Forks, 1943 Kettle Valley, 1944 Grand Forks, 1945 Kettle Valley, 1946 Kettle Valley, 1947 Grand Forks, 1948 Grand Forks, 1949 no event, 1950 Kettle Valley.<\/p>\n The BC Golf Museum is on the search for any memorabilia associated with the Kettle Valley Golf Club\/Course especially scorecards and photos.<\/p>\n Contact : email: office@bcgolfhouse.com<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kettle Valley Golf 100 Years old in 2025 Sources: Vancouver Province, Grand […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3529"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3529\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itbcpro.ca\/bcgolfhouse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}