Tale of the monk that “roams” Oakville’s Glen Abbey Golf Course

Designed by Jack Niklaus in 1976, Glen Abbey has been home to the Canadian Open 30 times.

One of Canada’s most famous golf courses, it’s hosted the game’s top stars from international players Greg Norman and Nick Price to Canadian Mike Weir and Tiger Woods.

It’s also been said to be home to a ghostly monk who has been seen numerous times over the years.

“It is said that a monk roams the course at night and if we are to believe the security guards’ and caretakers’ reports, this could be true,” wrote former Oakville Historical Society volunteer Joyce Burnell in her book, Ghosts of Oakville.

While Halloween always brings out scary tales of ghosts and goblins at the time of year, most of us often chalk them up to just fun stories looking to spook us ahead of the big day.

Todd Arkell has played the Clublink course several times, but he’s yet to see the monk figure.

Though, now that he thinks about it, he wonders if the ghost has helped him out in a round before.

“Playing Glen Abbey a few years back, I holed in on the second hole from the fairway,” said Arkell. “The monk must have played a role in that because I’ve never made a shot like that in my life.”

To dive into the legend of the Glen Abbey monk, one must first understand the history behind the land where the golf club is now located.

Mining magnate Andre Dorfman built a large estate on the property in 1937 and then sold it in 1953 where it was used as a monastery by the Jesuit Fathers of Upper Canada.

A group of businessmen bought the property in 1963 with the idea of turning it into a golf course. The Royal Canadian Golf Association then purchased it in 1973-74.

Along with the property came a large stone house overlooking Sixteen Mile Creek, formerly a Jesuit retreat.

What they didn’t know was more came with the property.

“A friendly ghost has been seen and sensed by others in the main building,” wrote Burnell, who died in 2011 at 90.

There have also been several sightings of the ghostly monk walking across an old path that predated the course.

Odd noises, banging, and rattling have been heard in the old building.

“Some of these can be traced to air in the hot water pipes, but not all,” wrote Burnell.

Employees have reported strange incidents with an old logbook. The book would open itself and then pages would be turned rapidly.

Witnesses have also talked about a figure seen in the chair next to the book. The imprint on the chair has been observed several times.

“One guard would straighten the seat cushion, do his rounds, and find the imprint when he returned,” Burnell wrote in her book.

Wendy Belcher, a volunteer at the Oakville Historical Society, says the logbook, table, chair, and cushion were moved several years ago when renovations were made on the building.

“When asked if the (Jesuit Brothers) had moved on, staff assured us no,” said Belcher.

Several people who have worked or volunteered at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame (the original Glen Abbey) have also talked of seeing what appears to be a Jesuit Brother in the basement walking at the end of a hallway.

“Golfers have seen one of the brothers at sunset walking along the crest of the hill above the valley,” added Belcher.

Belcher also explained the story of one staff member who knew how to deal with the ghosts.

The staff member had come to work at her usual hour, but with an event planned for the evening, she wouldn’t be ready to go home until after 10 p.m.

“She tried to turn on the security, but it wouldn’t register,” Belcher explained. “She tried several times to no avail. She told us she knew which room was the problem, so she marched down, opened the door, and announced that she wanted to go home. So, ‘Stop It.’

“She then returned to turn on security and go home. She told us you have to be so firm with these ghosts.”

Burnell also wrote about the many reports of staff hearing a jingling sound similar to the one made by a set of keys.

His shift over, a security guard on his way to the parking lot from the Club House heard the jingling sound behind him.

“He turned around thinking someone was following him,” wrote Burnell. “The sound stopped and he could not see anyone. He continued walking and the jingling started again. He quickly turned his head this time and the same thing happened.

“He increased his speed and when the jingling began a third time he ran to his car.”

Others believe the security guard may have been getting a little help from the “friendly ghost.”

“Was he escorting the security guard to his car,” they told Burnell. “Or was he telling him it was time to leave the property?”

It’s no coincidence that the R.C.G.A. chose as the emblem for the golf course a monk swinging a golf club.

The emblem can be found at the front gate off Dorval Drive.

News of a “friendly ghost” is just fine for Arkell. He hopes to see him the next time he heads out on the Oakville golf course.

“If the existence of the ghost is, in fact, real, I certainly hope he continues to help my play on the course,” Arkell said, before laughing out loud.