Islington Golf Club
Islington Golf Club is located off Riverbank Drive, and because it does not front on a major street, many people in the community are not aware of this beautiful club. This article will provide some perspective on the club’s history and a look at more recent happenings.
Early History of the Land
In 1840, miller/brewer Edward Musson of Weston bought two 100-acre farm lots in Islington. They were located between Islington and Kipling Avenues, and ran north from approximately where Dundas St./Burnham-thorpe Rd./Burnhamthorpe Cres. run today to the rear of the houses that are now on the south side of Bywood Drive. Musson developed these lots into two farms he called Willow Dale and Mill Bank. He built a saw mill on Mimico Creek ½ mile north of Dundas St. and a house on Burnhamthorpe Rd., overlooking the mill. Musson was active in the community as Etobicoke’s first Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1850, and as Reeve 1858-64. In 1870, he built a new house for his retirement on the northeast corner of Burnhamthorpe and Kipling which still stands, protected by a designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
In the 1890s, Musson’s heirs sold the property to John Appleby, who lived in a pre-existing house on the northwest corner of Dundas and Islington, where Pinocchio’s Restaurant is today. John and his wife Mary had four daughters and one son, William, who inherited the property after John died in 1913. William lived in the house with his wife Annie and their daughter Mary, born in 1909.
Islington Golf Club History
In 1913, the seed for Islington Golf Club was planted by three entrepreneurs with a vision for a community golf club. The Club was conceived in the minds of Colonel Bill Rogers, E.H.A. Watson (Principal of Riverdale Collegiate), and Mr. Chadwick (a local realtor.) All three were directors of the Colonial Realty Company and realized that the rolling farmland and winding Mimico Creek would make a pristine and challenging setting for a golf course. They negotiated an option with the Applebys to buy their farm. The First World War delayed their plans, but in 1923 they purchased the lots from William Appleby (except for six acres in the southeast corner) and Islington Golf Club was incorporated.
Even before Letters Patent were granted, the first sod was turned in October 1923, and 18 holes were ready for play in August 1924. Fifty men and 20 teams of horses were employed, and because most of the land destined for fairways needed a minimum of work, it was completed in what was regarded as a record for the time. Toronto’s Stanley Thomson designed the course in this early project in what became an illustrious career: he went on to build over 140 golf courses world-wide.
Early History of the Land
In 1840, miller/brewer Edward Musson of Weston bought two 100-acre farm lots in Islington. They were located between Islington and Kipling Avenues, and ran north from approximately where Dundas St./Burnham-thorpe Rd./Burnhamthorpe Cres. run today to the rear of the houses that are now on the south side of Bywood Drive. Musson developed these lots into two farms he called Willow Dale and Mill Bank. He built a saw mill on Mimico Creek ½ mile north of Dundas St. and a house on Burnhamthorpe Rd., overlooking the mill. Musson was active in the community as Etobicoke’s first Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1850, and as Reeve 1858-64. In 1870, he built a new house for his retirement on the northeast corner of Burnhamthorpe and Kipling which still stands, protected by a designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
In the 1890s, Musson’s heirs sold the property to John Appleby, who lived in a pre-existing house on the northwest corner of Dundas and Islington, where Pinocchio’s Restaurant is today. John and his wife Mary had four daughters and one son, William, who inherited the property after John died in 1913. William lived in the house with his wife Annie and their daughter Mary, born in 1909.
Islington Golf Club History
In 1913, the seed for Islington Golf Club was planted by three entrepreneurs with a vision for a community golf club. The Club was conceived in the minds of Colonel Bill Rogers, E.H.A. Watson (Principal of Riverdale Collegiate), and Mr. Chadwick (a local realtor.) All three were directors of the Colonial Realty Company and realized that the rolling farmland and winding Mimico Creek would make a pristine and challenging setting for a golf course. They negotiated an option with the Applebys to buy their farm. The First World War delayed their plans, but in 1923 they purchased the lots from William Appleby (except for six acres in the southeast corner) and Islington Golf Club was incorporated.
Even before Letters Patent were granted, the first sod was turned in October 1923, and 18 holes were ready for play in August 1924. Fifty men and 20 teams of horses were employed, and because most of the land destined for fairways needed a minimum of work, it was completed in what was regarded as a record for the time. Toronto’s Stanley Thomson designed the course in this early project in what became an illustrious career: he went on to build over 140 golf courses world-wide.
Recently at Islington Golf Club
Over the past two years, the club has invested in its infrastructure with a number of projects: a new pond, a new irrigation system, and new sub-surface drainage for the greens. A renovation to the clubhouse will be completed in early 2011 with a new dining room and bistro.
The golf club held a contest to name their new pond. Because of the property’s history, three members proposed “Appleby Pond”. In a vote held August 14th, that name was the overwhelming choice of their members.
For more information about Islington Golf Club, call 416-231-1114 or visit their website at www.islingtongolfclub.com.
Sources: Dave Fox, General Manager, Islington Golf Club, Islington Golf Club Website, Etobicoke: From Furrow to Borough by Esther Hayes, Etobicoke Remembered by Robert A. Given, The Villages of Etobicoke.
Researched and Written by Denise Harris
Over the past two years, the club has invested in its infrastructure with a number of projects: a new pond, a new irrigation system, and new sub-surface drainage for the greens. A renovation to the clubhouse will be completed in early 2011 with a new dining room and bistro.
The golf club held a contest to name their new pond. Because of the property’s history, three members proposed “Appleby Pond”. In a vote held August 14th, that name was the overwhelming choice of their members.
For more information about Islington Golf Club, call 416-231-1114 or visit their website at www.islingtongolfclub.com.
Sources: Dave Fox, General Manager, Islington Golf Club, Islington Golf Club Website, Etobicoke: From Furrow to Borough by Esther Hayes, Etobicoke Remembered by Robert A. Given, The Villages of Etobicoke.
Researched and Written by Denise Harris