PHOTOS: After 60 years, a look back at Tyandaga Golf Course in Burlington

Little did they know that a rock-collecting venture in 1964 would help clear the way for a community that continues to enjoy a public space 60 years later.

When the concept for what would become Tyandaga Golf Course was first developed, the planners knew that work had to be done to make the parcel of land at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment suitable for use.

So, early in May of that year, about 60 youngsters and volunteers ventured out into the field to clear it of rocks and stones.

In his book produced on the history of the golf course, author Bud McClean described the scene.

“Armed with baskets, buckets and potato sacks, the group lined up across the fairways and methodically picked up thousands of stones ranging in size from golf balls to softballs,” wrote McClean. “The volunteers performed this operation over a couple of weekends, helping to keep the opening of the course on track.”

From that humble rock-collecting mission, members and friends of Tyandaga will look back fondly over the years at a 60th-anniversary celebration this Sunday, Sept. 15.

From noon to 4 p.m., everyone is invited to attend the celebrations which will include entertainment, games, gifts and an official anniversary ceremony that will recognize the significance of the 18-hole course that is owned and operated by the City of Burlington.

Brade Weake, manager of Tyandaga Golf Course, acknowledges Tyandaga has come a long way in 60 years.

“Even though it started off as a golf course, it is so much more now,” Weake said. “It has become a year-round park that is put to good use by the community.”

While golfers put the course to good use in warm weather months, once it gets cold Tyandage takes on different characteristics.

Dog walkers, hikers and joggers make good use of the 180-acre grounds, but when the snow flies you will also find toboggans on the hills, snowshoers along the paths, and a few cross-country skiers.

“We have a lot of golfers here, people are playing all of the time, but not everyone golfs,” Weake continued. “That’s why it was such a great decision in 1998 by the city to turn it into a park that everyone can use…and it does get used. Sometimes the parking lot is just as full in the winter as it is in the summer.”

Although Tyandaga has gone through several changes over the years, Weake said golf course users have been a loyal bunch and continue to make it a busy place through the summer. A plan to reduce the size of the course to 9-holes was rejected last year and the course will remain at 18-holes.

More than 100 events are held each year at Tyandaga with regular tournaments and five leagues that play weekly. Weddings and banquets are also held in the main clubhouse building and year-round dining is also available.

Weake said many upgrades are planned for the future including tree plantings, additional benches and cart paths. This year the parking lot was redesigned.

“I believe there is a great future here at Tyandaga,” Weake said. “We are always looking at new ways to make good use of this beautiful space and look forward to our next anniversary.”

• In 1962, John Mooradian and his investors incorporated as Rampart Associates Ltd. purchased 550 acres of raw land north of the Queen Elizabeth Way on the west side of Brant Street
• The course was named Tyandaga which is a variation of Joseph Brant’s Indigenous name Thayendanegea
• With the support of Burlington Major Owen Mullin, Rampart set aside 200 acres for the course. The remaining 350 acres were earmarked for residential development.
• In spring 1963, the golf course was taking shape. By August, construction of 14 of the 18 holes were complete.
• In June 1964, Tyandaga opened for members who could enjoy the full 18-hole golf course.
• By 1966 the membership hadn’t grown to a point they had hoped and financial issues arose. This brought fear that the whole course would be sold for building development.
• In 1969, Rampart relocated four holes, compressing the course and freeing up 36 acres of land for development.
• In early 1972, Toronto-based Holdings stepped in and purchased the course for $1.4 million, and almost immediately began negotiations to in turn sell the course to the City of Burlington.
• On March 12, 1973, Burlington City Council voted to proceed with plans to purchase the 119-acre Tyandaga golf club from Eagre Holdings
• In July 18, 1973, council passed a motion for the purchase of the lands for Eagre Holdings at $500,000 for 100 acres. The city then arranged to purchase eight adjacent acres from the Roman Catholic Diocese to restore the missing holes and return Tyandaga to an 18-hole course.
• The original clubhouse included a lower and upper level parking lot with a connecting circular driveway to the main entrance where guests could drive up to the door. Visitors entered a spacious foyer from which they could go to any of the rooms on the upper level. The circular formal lounge, features a massive fieldstone fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows which offered beautiful view to the south.
• However, the cost of the building was not sustainable. By 1997, the city decided that the 32-year-old building was not worth the cost of needed repairs and renovations. The decision was made to level the once-grand clubhouse and replace it with a small, functional clubhouse near the first and 10th tees, where staff would have better control over start times and pace of play.
• In 1998 it was decided Tyandaga would be open for public use in the winter.
• After an initial suggestion of reducing the golf course to 9 holes, it was decided to remain at 18 holes after public consultations.

(All photos from the book Swing Back in Time: Celebrating 50 years of Tyandaga by Bud McClean)

Tyandaga’s first golf pro, Bill Chinery, started giving lessons on site in 1963.

Golfers hit the links in the early days of the course.

The original layout of Tyandaga Golf Course.

Burlington Mayor Owen Mullin at the ceremonial groundbreaking, Dec. 11, 1962.

Before there was a course, there was a golf school. In 1962, the storefront office on Plains Road lured in the curious and invited folks to hit golf balls into a netted driving range out back.

A recent aerial view of the course.

The welcoming sign

Teeing off on a summer day.