by David Stockwell
This season marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Larrimac Golf and Tennis Club, located in Chelsea, Quebec.
ln 1922 Larry McCooey was 24 years old when he conceived the idea of a golf course on the pasture below his cottage. He rented a portion of land from owner/farmer Owen Lacharity and the next year laid out a crude, 9-hole course for his own use and the 1st golf balls began to fly. ln 1924 McCooey was joined by three of his neighbours and before long they had persuaded about a dozen local cottagers to join their ‘club’ (13 women and 8 men). They named it ‘Larrimac’ in recognition of their founder.
Larrimac has stood the test of time as a cherished landmark in the Chelsea region, serving the community, preserving the environment, and weaving a rich tapestry of recreational activity. From golf and tennis to pickleball, disc golf, and table tennis, the club has been a focal point for sports enthusiasts and community members alike. And they take pride in their contributions to charitable causes, from supporting the Chelsea Housing Corporation’s senior residence to hosting events like aiding charitable work in Lesotho, Africa.
Larrimac has also been a social hub for the community, hosting activities like their long-standing bridge league, community meetings, weddings, memorials, and countless celebrations. They have provided employment opportunities to hundreds of youth and fostered a love for golf, tennis and the out-doors among generations of junior members. Additionally, their recent land sale to an organization dedicated to preserving forest land underscores their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Club Events Celebrating the 100th Anniversary
The Charles IGA Grand Opening, May 4th
A grand opening ceremony at the Larrimac Golf Club Clubhouse was held on May 4th with a 100th Ribbon Cutting Ceremony featuring Chelsea Mayor Pierre Guénard (Photo). He also hit a ball off the 1st tee just missing the green: 241 yards away!!
The Charles IGA/ Ed Brunet “Wooden Sticks” Golf on Sunday July 21st
All-day golfing at the LGC’s course with antique and original pre-1930’s hickory-shaft golf clubs. Clubs and balls provided free by the Club and by a Larrimac partner: the Golf Historical Society of Canada. Play in the morning will be held on the 5 holes as they were in the 1920’s with afternoon play on the 9 holes as they exist today.
The Larrimac/Cross Smith Invitational, Saturday August 3rd
The Larrimac Cross Smith Invitational Tournament is a highly anticipated annual event attracting some of the best amateur golfers in the region. It typically features over 60+ competitors, who all pay an entry fee to play what is generally regarded to be one of the most challenging 9-hole courses in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. A variety of cash prizes will be given out to top finishers in both the men’s and women’s flights at a catered meal at the end of the day.
The Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall Larrimac Gala, Thursday August 15th to Saturday August 17th
Up and coming Canadian golf course architect Christine Fraser will visiting the Club from August 15th to August 17th. She will spend time with both the Club’s men’s and women’s groups and our Ground Superintendent and will be the featured speaker at our Gala Dinner on the evening of the 17th. Her international assignments in golf course architecture make her well-suited to speak to the broad trends and growth in the game from a global perspective, right down to her particular interests in accessibility and community engagement in golf. Her agreement to visit and speak has already become “buzz-worthy” in local golf circles.
100th Anniversary “Factoids” For Larimace Golf & Tennis Club
a) 100th Factoid: To be able to purchase land for the golf course from the Gatineau Power Company, the LGC needed to be an incorporated company with a Charter that included By-laws. However, the Club also needed to get the agreement for incorporation from the Municipal Council of West Hull (the Municipality of Chelsea was created in 1990). In September 1932, they agreed to the LGC’s incorporation “on condition that no spiritous liquors be sold on the premises”. The LGC’s 1st Charter was approved in November, 1932 by the Quebec Government under Quebec’s Clubs’ Amusement Act. (Larrimac received its 1st Liquor licence in 1941.)
b) 100th Factoid: In 1939 one of the 2 horses used to pull LGC’s grass mowers died. The LGC submitted an insurance claim and were compensated by $50. In the Club’s 1939 inventory, the horse was written off.
c) 100th Factoid: Because of the war, by 1943 new golf balls were not available. Members turned over to the Club their used ones which were then sent to Dunlop, reprocessed, sent back to the Club and then re-sold to members. At the annual Labour Day supper in 1943 there was no ice cream, because of a lack of dry ice; bologna was served because ham was unavailable. A special allocation of ration coupons was granted by the relevant ration administration so the Saturday teas could continue.
d) 100th Factoid: Florence Taylor was a member of the Club in the ‘40s and ‘50s. She was the other of Canadian business tycoon E. P. Taylor. She donated $1000 to the Club in March 1948 for the construction of the new clubhouse’s veranda because there was not enough money for this part of the construction.
The LGC has two May 1960 letters from E. P. Taylor to Marjorie Jones, who was the President of the Club’s Ladies’ Division. She had asked if E. P. Taylor would, each year, give a small replica of the “Florence Taylor Trophy” for the winner. His May 27,1960 letter enclosed a cheque for $100.
It went on to say, “I am glad to know that the fame of my good horse VICTORIA PARK has reached Ottawa. Since you wrote to me he ran second in the Pimlico Preakness. Just at the moment I do not know whether I will run him in the Belmont or the Queen’s Plate, both of which take place on June 11th.” (P. S. The horse won the 1960 Queen’s Plate in record time)
e) 100th Factoid: Larrimac had a member who was a sitting Governor General: Ray Hnatyshyn, and another who later became Prime Minister: Lester B. Pearson.
