Our History
Whitevale's first architect, Mother Nature, must have been a golfer when she decided to melt a massive glacier that created the Oak Ridges Moraine, a dynamic landform with undulating topography, an abundant aquifer, and a diversity of vegetation that includes rare and endangered species. On this natural canvas, Jack Boyes, a pharmacist and 2-handicap from Oshawa Golf Club, fulfilled a lifelong dream of designing and building his own golf course (with some help from an old friend and accomplished golf architect Bill Diddel).
Jack's vision included three tenets that continue to characterize Whitevale Golf Club today: a high-quality golf experience, genuine hospitality and friendships, and a place where members have a financial stake and a say in the future of the Club.
In 1955, Jack Boyes purchased the property for $25,000 from the Seebeck family, who had farmed the land for over 100 years. The original farmhouse was incorporated into the clubhouse, the farm's driving shed served as pro shop and now stores clubs and power carts, and the Beatty Pump windmill was retained and remains a fixture of the Club today.
On June 14th, 1958, the first game of golf was played, and soon after, 140 members incorporated Whitevale Golf Club as a private golf club. Being new afforded Jack the opportunity to be progressive, and Whitevale quickly became known as an inclusive private golf club that was particularly supportive of women and juniors, with no ethnic or religious boundaries, just a common love of golf. Jack and Winnie Boyes, along with daughter Carol and Greens Superintendent Ab Reeves, ran the Club until 1970. Gus Maue was Whitevale's first Head Golf Professional. Here's a comprehensive list of Whitevale's key employees over the past 50+ years.
In 1974, the Provincial Government expropriated the property for a planned city, Cedarwood, which would neighbour the proposed North Pickering Airport. The airport properties were held in abeyance for a number of years by the Federal government, and so from 1974 to 1999 Whitevale members leased the Club from the Province.
Becoming An Equity Club
Late in 1996, the members were presented with the opportunity to purchase the lands from the Provincial Government. Over the next three years, Club Presidents Barbara Rogers and John Trimble spearheaded the sensitive negotiations and lengthy process, which was finalized on September 30, 1999. The purchase of the lands is a great source of pride for members, making Whitevale one of the very few private equity membership clubs in Ontario.
In June 2004, on the strength of an operational review provided by KPMG's Golf Industry Practices Division (and countless hours from the Long Range Planning Committee headed by Lynne Sage), the members voted in favour of borrowing up to $3 million to fund a golf course renovation. (We are very proud to report that, through accelerated debt retirement, the Club expects to be debt free by the end of 2012). Also in 2004, Whitevale became one of the first private clubs to attain coveted certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Course Renovation
In 2006, renowned Canadian golf architect Thomas McBroom completed an extensive redesign of the golf course, including a total bunker and tee renovation, and a realignment of several holes, giving Whitevale a contemporary golfing challenge and aesthetic underpinned by its original style and natural beauty. For a tour of our golf course, visit our Hole-by-Hole and Photo Gallery. In December 2006, the membership turned down a vote for a new clubhouse, as considerable concern was voiced over the amount of additional financing that would be required and the timing so soon on the heels of the golf course construction. The Board of Directors and Long Range Planning Committee continue to explore new ways and means to address the clubhouse issue, but until then our members continue to enjoy the history and charm of our existing facilities.
To celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2008, Charter Member and 9-time Club Champion Bruce Brewer compiled a fascinating and comprehensive History of the Club. Late that same year, the Board commissioned the National Private Club Practice Consulting group to conduct a comprehensive survey of members, and to help author a Strategic Plan for the Club based on survey results. Over 80% of members participated in the survey, and the resulting Strategic Plan continues to guide the Club according to the wishes of the membership, which include higher course conditioning standards, a more family-friendly facility, and continued fiscal responsibility and prudence.
An Auspicious Future
In 2011, for the first time, Whitevale will host a national amateur championship, the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Senior Championship (Aug 23-25), reflecting our Club's ever-rising currency among the elite courses in Canada. 2011 also marks the launch of a new website that is unparalleled in the private golf industry, created for virtually no cost to the Club thanks to hundreds of hours from some very talented members and staff.
Looking ahead, the Region of Durham and the Town of Pickering have plans to extend both the 407 and 14th Avenue to accommodate the significant housing development of Seaton to our north. While the ramifications of these developments are not yet clear, our Club is extremely optimistic about the infusion of infrastructure and potential future members. We are also comforted by the fact that, no matter how ambitious the development, the sanctitude of our golf course is protected by TRCA conservation lands to our east, west and south.