D – Day     June 6, 1944

After almost five years of war, the long-awaited invasion of Europe was about to begin. The planning had been going on since 1943 and by May 1944 enough men and equipment had been assembled to turn southern England into a vast armed camp. Soldiers from Britain, the U.S. and Canada, including several Summerlea veterans took part in that historic day.

Early in the morning of June 6, 1944, General Eisenhower gave the order to sail. Years of waiting, planning and preparation had come to an end. The biggest amphibious assault in history was under way.

According to Winston Churchill, “The beginning of the end of the war.”

The onset of the Second World War resulted in great changes everywhere, including golf clubs.

Summerlea was no exception. Many adjustments had to be made when members and staff enlisted in the Armed Forces. In 1939 there were 640 members at Summerlea. By 1942, there were 350. Dues for the duration of the war were suspended for members serving.  With food and gas rationing, services, including social events, were curtailed causing a great drop in revenue and by war's end many golf clubs were in serious financial difficulty. The clubs that fared the best were the ones easily accessible and the train to Summerlea was a definitive advantage. Fewer people took golf lessons and proceeds from professional tournaments were donated to the war effort. Assistant pros were almost non-existent. Of the 15 major clubs in Montreal only one had an assistant pro.

At that time, there were no golf carts and caddies were an integral part of the game. But most were now in Service units or making guns and ammunition. Younger caddies took their place. They had to carry double loads and had very little knowledge of the game. But worst of all, for players of that time, female caddies began to appear but they claimed they could do just as good a job as the boys.

Those who were here at home (not overseas) were involved in every type of war work. The golfing ladies were not idle. The Canadian Ladies Golf Union raised enough money to buy a Spitfire. Their monies were also spent overseas for mobile kitchens and ambulances and to provide necessities for children who were victims of war.

The Royal Air Force Transport Command operating out of Dorval airport ferried planes (built in Canada and the U.S.) from Dorval to Britain. In May, 1944, the President of Summerlea received a letter from them asking if their pilots could hold a tournament once a month. The Board of Directors agreed to this as long as it did not interfere with Ladies Day.

At Grovehill Golf Club, across the road from Summerlea, an Airforce Barracks overlooked the golf course. The airmen, in their time off, wished to play some golf. The club agreed if the airmen, in return, would help with work around the club. They had no equipment, which was very scarce.  All scrap from homes was collected regularly, so an appeal was made for people to search their basements for old golf bags and clubs. Only four airmen could play at a time as only four sets of old clubs could be found.

On the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, Summerlea veterans were honoured at the club with an exhibit of the members pictures and their wartime experiences. A cocktail party and dinner completed this special day.

Marion Dunn