GolfNorth Properties announced the purchase of Kingswell Glen Golf Club in Petrolia, Ontario. GolfNorth will assume operations effective December 9, 2022.
Kingswell Glen is a well-established and extremely popular local favourite, with a long history intimately tied to Petrolia’s oil heritage. Having originally opened its doors in 1895 under the name Glenview Golf Club, it remains one of Canada’s oldest courses. As the story goes—Petrolia entrepreneur Jake Englehart fell in love with the game while on honeymoon, and his wife commissioned the construction of a six-hole course in the valley while it was still strewn with oil pumps. The design was inspired by courses they had played in St. Anne’s, Scotland; and it soon became a playground for his fellow oil barons, the rich, and the famous. Abandoned oil wells and historic pump rigging are still visible on the course today.
In the early days, when Petrolia was “dry,” the golf course clubhouse was a popular spot. The original building on Queen Street was torn down in the 1970’s, because it had become too small and too noisy for neighbours.
Another clubhouse was built, and in 2001 the course expanded to its current 18-hole layout, with the new nine being built within the Glenview Estates subdivision. At just over 6200 yards (par 72), Kingswell Glen provides an excellent balance of being playable for high handicappers, challenging to low handicappers, and fun for everyone in between. The 2001 holes blend seamlessly with the original valley holes, and the property is a unique pleasure to experience.
In May of 2020, the historic property was purchased by modern local entrepreneurs, Joseph and Jenna Gorzeman. Joseph, who spent long days there as a junior golfer said, “There’s a great story and a lot of history that goes along with this place. There are a finite number of places in North America, where a golfer can play holes that have been in use for more than 125 years.”
GolfNorth Regional Vice President Doug Breen had this to say about the property, “I have always been extremely interested in the petroleum history of this part of Ontario. At the same time, I’ve always been extremely interested in the history of golf in Ontario. I was ecstatic when I heard that there was a chance that we could become the stewards of this truly unique property. The Gorzeman family saw the ghosts of this place, and they’ve done yeoman’s work in restoring the course. We plan to continue that work.”
All existing 2023 memberships will remain valid, and those will continue to be sold as “Kingswell Glen Only” memberships. In addition, a GolfNorth Multi-Course Membership will be available, which will grant full access to 12 courses within the GolfNorth family (including Ridgetown, The Fox, Exeter, Forest, and Sand Hills Golf Clubs), along with discounts at another 21 additional GolfNorth courses. Anyone holding a “Kingswell Glen Only” membership will have the opportunity to upgrade their memberships to a GolfNorth Multi-Course Membership by simply paying the difference.
GolfNorth President and CEO, Shawn Evans said, “We are extremely excited to be purchasing Kingswell Glen, and appreciate the assistance of the Gorzeman family in bringing this to fruition. We’re also excited about the strong management team currently in place.”
Visit www.golfnorth.ca for further information on GolfNorth’s rates, promotions and membership programs.
