The oldest golf course in Winnipeg is celebrating a century of operation this year. Kildonan Park Golf Course was first established on June 9, 1921, and has been in operation since.
Mayor Brian Bowman and Mynarski city councilor Ross Eadie tried their hand at some golf at the first municipal-run golf course in the city, and acknowledged the significance of the occasion with a new plaque at the first tee box.
“Reaching 100 years is a truly remarkable achievement,” Bowman said.
“The longevity really is a credit to the condition and the character of the course. A century after the city of Winnipeg opened this beautiful course, it remains a jewel for local golfers and a real sense of pride for our entire community.”
Bowman notes that though we are not quite through the COVID-19 pandemic, the golf course opened shortly after the 1918 global pandemic. He says during this pandemic, city golf courses have seen an absolute exponential increase in the rounds played as residents have wanted to get outside safely and play more.
“From a historical perspective, 2020 was the best season of city golf courses in the last 15 years. In 2020, rounds at Kildonan Park Golf Course were up 18 per cent,” Bowman says.
The beloved golf course finished the season with over 33,000 total rounds last year and is already up 25 per cent over last year, Bowman said at the press conference.
“We’re on pace for 41,000 total rounds. As someone who’s played golf since the age of about six or seven years old, I can attest to how golf really draws you in.”
Many have been golfing the north end greens for their entire lives. Adolf Kussmann, 86, still plays the course. He saved a golf card from September of 1967 when he played with friends. At that time, a round of golf was only $1.75. He’s still excited and eager to play, along with his wife and daughter.
