HISTORY

Establishment of the Canadian PGA - 1911. Canadian professionals formed and association, the CPGA, in 1911, five years before their cousins across the border formed the PGA of America. In September 1916, before setting off to join the army, Royal Ottawa’s professional Karl Keffer wrote to the editor of the Canadian Golfer.

" I am writing you a history of an Association, which, although not much heard from, is very much alive in fostering the game in Canada. "

This is The Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association which was organized in July 1911. Our objects are to promote interest in the game of golf, to protect the mutual interests of our members, to hold meetings and tournaments periodically for the encouragement of the younger members, to act as agents, for assisting any Professional Golfer, or Assistant, to obtain employment, and to carry out any other objects that may be determined upon from time to time.

The Association had presented to it by Mr. P.D. Ross of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, a very handsome trophy, and we have made it a permanent trophy to be known as the ROSS CUP. Our tournaments are arranged to take place in the same city and at the same time as the RCGA Open Championship, on a course other than that which holds the Open. Owing to the present war, there was no tournament in 1915, and there will not be any this year…Our membership includes all the well-known pros, and any professional may become a member on making application and having his name put before the meeting.”

There is no list of founding members, but some 20 Canadian professionals and assistants were present at the 1911 Open in Ottawa when the first meeting was held, and presumably these represent most of the founding members of the CPGA:

 

  • Percy Barrett (Lambton GC)
  • Wallace Barrett (Royal Muskoka GC)
  • Willie Bell (Waterloo Country GC)
  • Davey Black (Rivermead GC)
  • James Black (Beaconsfield GC)
  • Jack Blair (Royal Ottawa GC)
  • Olie Brault (Westmount GC)
  • George Cumming (Toronto GC)
  • Willie Freeman (Toronto GC)
  • Richard Holden (later of Lambton)
  • Albert Kam (Norwood GC)
  • Karl Keffer (Royal Ottawa GC)
  • Dan Kenny (North Toronto GC)
  • Willie Locke (Mississauga GC)
  • Albert Murray (Outremont GC)
  • Charlie Murray (Royal Montreal GC)
  • James Newman (Caledonia Springs)
  • Fred Rickwood (Royal Quebec GC)
  • Arthur Russell (Lakeview GC)
  • Arthur Woodward (Country Club of Montreal)

 

The first elected officers were:

  • Captain: George Cumming
  • Vice Captain: Percy Barrett
  • Hon. Secy-Treasurer: Arthur Russell