Summerlea Reborn

As the new decade of the 1960s dawned, a busy and important year was on the horizon for Summerlea.  Much work was required to carry out the huge undertaking of relocating the Club.  Dedicated members, working long after the playing season was over, completed the sale of the Lachine property and the purchase of the land in Pointe-des-Cascades.  On January 29, 1960, the deeds for the purchase of the Dorion property were signed in the presence of John P. Rowat, Notary.  Signing for Summerlea were Douglas A. Short and George N. Broderick; for Meadowbrook Development Corporation, Frank Evans and Parker Grant.

At this time, coordinating and advisory committees were appointed.  These committees would make decisions on all aspects of building two new courses and a clubhouse while keeping a sharp eye on the finances; the Board of Directors were determined not to go over budget.  Consulting engineers to act as Project Managers, a golf course architect and a clubhouse designer had to be appointed.  Time was an important factor as a year of study and planning was required for a project of this size.  Summerlea also needed to give Meadowbrook Developers a date for vacating the Lachine property.

The Summerlea Board of Directors was determined that the old course and clubhouse in Lachine would be maintained up to their usual standards until the move.  The new course would not be ready for play until 1962 and their aim was to have the transition as enjoyable as possible.  In the beautiful fall weather of 1960, in Lachine, members played more than 2,000 rounds of golf in November and 100 rounds during the first week of December.

The first step in relocation process was to appoint a management firm to supervise and coordinate all phases of the program with architectural, engineering and other services.  After receiving bids and investigating six firms, the decision was made by the Board of Directors to hire Racey, McCallum and Associates.  The Board agreed that this firm would give first-class management on all aspects of the relocation program.  Responsibilities included:  coordinating activities of other professional services; putting out bids and tenders; helping the committees make final decisions; planning the location of the clubhouse, swimming pool and parking lot; inspecting the work, and seeing that it was completed on time.

Important elements that were to be incorporated into the new golf courses were: multiple tees; par-3 long iron shots instead of woods; long rolling greens; water holes; no blind greens; traps; a practice range near the clubhouse and consideration of the prevailing winds.  These were expected to be par 72 courses with character.

In July 1960, work began on the new property.  The clubhouse site was chosen, rough layouts of the courses were prepared and earth moving began.  With a good supply of water from the Ottawa River.  Irrigation and course watering systems and some sub drainage were installed in the fall.  By December, grading and shaping of greens, fairways and tees had been completed on 35 holes, some top soil was laid and a gravel entrance road built.

During the next two years, the new site was a beehive of activity.  In May of 1961, the Board of Directors awarded the contract for the course watering system to Spramotor Ltd. for the amount of $110,925.  Construction of the golf course was virtually completed in the fall of 1961.  There was very little damage during the following winter and an early opening date was anticipated for the following spring.  During the winter months, the membership committee remained active as more members were required for the new, larger club.

In the spring, construction of the new clubhouse and work on the golf courses progressed as fast as possible, hoping to meet the completion date of October 1962.  Greens had been prepared and seeded and were growing well; plans were made for fertilization and seeding of the fairways.  Because of the non-porous nature of the sub soil there would not be any “pot” bunkers.  The 123 traps were constructed so as to be visible from every point of play, some provided with weepers for proper drainage.  Five lakes were dug and a network of gullies constructed to make a system of drainage to control water levels in this area of heavy clay.

Marion Dunn