Up the Gatineau! Article
This article was first published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 9.
Larrimac Golf Club – a Gatineau Gem
A. deL. Panet
As you drive up the Gatineau Highway from Hull to Wakefield I am sure that you enjoy the various beautiful scenes on your right, made up of the river, the mountains and the rolling countryside.
On one of the curving stretches of highway, almost midway on your trip, you come upon the Larrimac Golf Club which straddles the highway. The view here is beautiful and the sloping and manicured fairways and greens add to that beauty.
Few people, perhaps, know that the club has an interesting history. It actually dates back to 1924 when it was organized. We celebrated the 50th anniversary in 1974 with all-day festivities. A short time before this, I undertook to investigate the background of the club. I was fortunate in securing much help from a long- established member, Mr. Anson Green. He is a former officer of the club and interested in the area since 1931 as a summer resident.
Where did the name come from? If you look at some old maps of the area you will note there was a train stop on the rail trip to Wakefield, at Lacharity, north of Chelsea. This was Owen Lacharity’s farm. Mr. Larry McCooey owned a cottage on his land and, being a golfer, laid out a few golf holes for his personal amusement. This was pasture land much of which was later expropriated by the Gatineau Power Co. in 1926 for the development of power at Chelsea, Que.
About this time, Mr. Philip Sherrin, a hydraulic engineer, was brought from England, by the government, to oversee the development of a proposed pipeline to supply Ottawa with pure water from 31 Mile Lake. It is said that he, his wife and Miss “Bunty” Carver, were walking in this area and, being golfers, they recognized the golfing possibilities of the property on which there were no trees and the green vegetation was well cropped by Mr. Lacharity’s sheep. Proceeding with their walk they were surprised to see that someone else had the same idea, as there were several holes marked out for putting. Soon a meeting was arranged with Mr. Larry McCooey and a proposal soon developed to organize a small community golf club.
Arrangements were made to rent the land and a small club of twenty members resulted, under the direction of Mr. Sherrin and Mr. McCooey. The name Larrimac was derived from the two names – Larry and McCooey. A fee was set at 20 dollars annually and course maintenance was done by Lacharity and his hay mower, by the charter members and by the sheep. Soon an additional 9 holes were laid out – all on the south side of the present highway. Later this was found to be a mistake and a better 9 hole plan was adopted with reasonable distances between holes.
About this time plans were being made for raising the level of the Gatineau River and the railway and the highway had to be relocated to pass through the Lacharity property and the golf course. The club purchased a cottage which had to be demolished and it was rebuilt on the hill at the highest part of the course as a club-house.
In 1927 the club was organized on a more efficient basis with the election of officers and committees. The first president was Mr. Fred Burpee, general manager of the Ottawa Street Railway. Mr. Sherrin and Mr. McCooey were still very much involved in the success and direction of the club. Mr. Gordon L. Wilson was the grounds keeper and served the club for many years. He was reported to have had an exceptional personality and ability to tackle any task. When he died on 6 June 1961, the Ottawa Journal had a special reference to him and his service to the club and to the community as a builder and craftsman.
By 1930 the membership was 60. It was originally intended to serve the summer residents in the area between Chelsea and Wakefield. In 1932 the name of the district and the station were changed to Larrimac Links and more recently to Larrimac. Then the club was incorporated under the Amusement Act of the Province of Quebec and the following year under Part 1 of the Quebec Companies Act. This was required due to the purchase of 85 acres of land from the Gatineau Power Company.
In 1933, after the club house was built, the highway was relocated and ran past the present Ross Ardell store. About this time a water system was installed to water the greens. Many lots were sold to members and water was supplied from the Larrimac Club line for an annual fee to members.
1935 saw an extension of the property to the area north of the highway and by 1938 play was started there. In 1936 two tennis courts were established with added tennis members. It is interesting to note that in 1941 a regatta was held as well as a social programme with dances, movies, etc. which was very popular at this time and which continued for several years. In 1946 a new club-house was being planned, due to increased membership, and action was finally taken in 1948 when the present building was completed. Senior membership was then limited to 200 and fees increased to $2500. (Green fees were increased from 50¢ to $1.00) Actually, during the depression in the ‘30s, the fees were reduced to $10.
In 1964, an additional 85 acres north of the highway were purchased with the idea of developing the course to 18 holes. The total membership then, of seniors, juniors and social, was 468. Senior annual fee was $40.00. Two permanent tennis courts with fencing, a practice court and a small washroom were added in 1964. In 1972, an additional small property was added on the north side of the road.
There was considerable pressure put on the directors about this time to consider extending the course to 18 holes. The membership in 1972 was substantially increased and, with all classes of members, now totalled 778 of which 363 were active senior golfers. Much consideration was given to this. Money was spent to get expert professional advice and the directors finally recommended to the members that they stay with 9 holes and rebuild it to make it one of the best. A leading golf architect prepared for us plans and estimates and soon work was started. It was also decided to add a new water system for all the fairways and greens. As a result we now have one of the best 9 hole courses in the area. This is a quick summary of the background of this very fine golf gem in the Gatineau Valley. It adds much to the life of its many members. They have represented a splendid cross section of professionals, civil servants, politicians, businessmen, even a Prime Minister.
This article, by A. deL. Panet of Ottawa, Ontario and Kingsmere, Quebec, was awarded an Honourable Mention in the ninth annual Essay Contest sponsored by the Historical Society of the Gatineau – 1980.