Kootenay's Kaslo Golf Club Celebrating 100 Years
All Images & Editorial Courtesy Kaslo Golf Club
Kaslo Golf Course opened in 1923, when there were about a dozen golf courses in all of British Columbia. In Kaslo, which was a larger community than it is today, some enthusiasts formed a company, raised some capital and began to generate interest in creating a course locally.
Subscriptions provided enough capital to build 4 holes in 1923, and the following year a further 5 holes were carved out on the reasonably flat bench just south of the main area of the town, where the course is still located.
In the beginning, a ladies' membership cost $10 and men's $15.
A clubhouse was built at the furthest southeast corner of the land early on, and it was there that operations were conducted for many years.
At an undetermined point in time, a more substantial clubhouse was built at the northeast corner of the land, and that clubhouse hosted operations until 2007. In 2005-06, the club’s board resolved to build a new clubhouse at a more convenient location, and at that time raised enough money in the form of grants and funds borrowed from members. This new building, a timber frame design, was completed and occupied for the 2007 season.
The original course had sand greens. The players would use a rake/round bar to smooth the path to the hole, putt out and then rake the area to prepare it for the next group. During the period from 1965 to 1975 all greens were eventually converted to the grass surface you find today.
From 1936 on and continuing to the present, the club hosts its signature tournament - the Rainbow – in July. The club encourages the promotion of the game to our youth, for many years now, during the months of May and June, kids from the school have been given free instruction and guidance from club volunteers.
Volunteer contributions from local businesses, as well as a number of individuals who have spent untold hours working on the course, have been instrumental in making it the facility we enjoy today. In all, the original desire for golf in Kaslo was an altruistic ambition, and the continued participation of citizens of all ages has proven to be a sustainable example of how much can be achieved by people working together.
The course is an attractive element of the overall reason tourism is one of Kaslo’s largest economic drivers, and both visitors and those who choose to live here are provided a recreational option for all ages with, “Scenic views from every shot!" - that simply never gets old!