Fernie Golf Course History

The Grounds Keepers

The job of maintaining a golf course is a labour of love.  Technological advancement has made the job easier but it has also raised golfer’s expectations of playing on pristine fairways and luscious greens.

A list of early course managers and maintenance personnel include Andrew Lees, Thomas Illedge, A. Peters, Andy Traska, and Frank Gigliotti, and Bob Brydon.  These people, along with volunteers, maintained the course, and, in some instances their wives looked after the clubhouse.

By 1926, a horse drawn roller and triple mower were purchased to be used on the fairways and near greens.  Rummy the horse (loaned to the club by owner Thomas Prentice) pulled the roller and mower around the course in an effort to significantly improve course playability.

Much to the consternation of the grounds keeper and the club executive, on day Rummy wandered off and could not be found.  The grounds keeper and the club shared the $100 cost to compensate Mr. Prentice.  But, the horse was later found, and the was money refunded.

Rummy was eventually replaced with a more reliable tractor, adapted from a Ford truck by T. Baker, for mowing the fairways

In later years, Skifty Morris, having left mining after an injury, decided to look after and live in the clubhouse.  “Thirsty” members could pretty well be satisfied any time of the day or night or any day of the week.  Skifty managed and looked after the place and never requested nor drew any pay.

Bob Brydon became the Course Superintendent in 1975 and was dedicated to creating a course that would become a source of community pride.  As early as 1976 the club recognized that course maintenance was getting more complicated. It was not just mowing grass anymore. Throughout his tenure, the club supported Bob’s participation in programs to learn the latest advancements in course upkeep. Ray Bryant, the current superintendent, has maintained this commitment and is a member of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

A commemorate plaque dedicated to long-time Course Superintendent Bob Brydon can be found on the 8th hole	A large factor in golf course maintenance is ensuring the machinery is in top working condition. Greens mowers, like the one Bob Brydon is riding here, need an exacting touch to get the blades sharpened properly

Ray Bryant recounts his first season working at the Fernie Golf Club under the astute direction of Bob, who passed away in 1998.  “When I came to the golf course I thought all there was to maintaining a golf course was cutting grass and moving sprinklers. The first year was a wake up call, as to what a golf course was all about and how meticulous I had to be in setting up equipment so the grass wouldn’t be bruised if the reel bed knife wasn’t adjusted properly.”

“Then there was the golf course and what it takes to maintain a healthy turf – What were those terms Bob was talking about?- snow mould, red thread, Pythium blight, anthracnose, blue/green algae, black layer, percolation, leaching and compaction – just to name a few turf problems. Bob loved his job and he and I hit it off right from the start.”

After his first year, Bob asked Ray to become his assistant. Ray said, “this man set me up for the most exciting years a person could ask for in a job.” Ray Bryant has been the Course Superintendent for more than 30 years.  Ray’s son Jason has been working alongside his dad for many years.

Many course improvement projects have been managed and completed by the maintenance staff.  The course irrigation system was installed by staff assisted by volunteers in 1960.	The Fernie Golf Club has joined the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System of Canada (ACSSC), an international program designed to help landowners preserve and enhance the environmental quality of their property. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses is co-ordinated by the ACSSC and is sponsored in part by the Royal Canadian Golf Association.
Many of the fairways and clubhouse flower beds were maintained for years by maintenance crew member Ursula Schroeder, a 35-year employee and member who recently moved to Vancouver Island.

Rules and Score Cards

Golf rules have been developed over the years in response to changing playing conditions and evolving technology.  In 1921, Fernie Golf Course rules covered such contingencies;

• as a ball laying against a gopher hole may be lifted and dropped one club length no closer to the hole
• a ball in a gopher hole has to be recovered or be counted as a lost ball
• a ball within a club length of a stump, excavation or log could be lifted and dropped no closer to the hole

Often tournaments would have a set of special rules that governed play. Emblematic of inter club championships was the Boyd Cup, which started initially amongst the Fernie, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Creston clubs and later included Wardner. The rules stipulated that:

• The Club holding the tournament was to supply a meal and two bottles of beer
• Each of the losing teams was to supply a bottle of Scotch the following year
• The Scotch was to be poured into the trophy with two parts water and the cup passed around
• All beer, apart from the two bottles, to be sold at $0.25 a bottle
• A prize was given to the two players with the lowest scores

A 1994 Scorecard

Fernie Golf Club Staff

Over the years the Fernie Golf Club has had exceptional professionals who have provided top-notch instruction as well as mentoring younger players.

As Club operations grew, a golf professional, along with support staff, became a necessity for the course to succeed.  The Fernie Golf Club has been fortunate to have attracted many qualified golf professionals to direct club operations including Dave Rogers, Mike Will, Doug Robb, Mel Dies and now Max Sherwood.

The pros have mentored many young local golfers who have gone on to pursue careers in the golf industry.

• Kevin Maffioli has been the Head Golf professional at the Christina Lake Golf Club for many years
• Cindy Carson-Soukoroff, along with Max Sherwood, both started in the Fernie pro shop and moved to the St. Eugene Golf Resort where Cindy still works as the Head Golf professional.
• Danielle Poupart turned professional in 2011 and is now teaching golf at a facility in Calgary after having worked for the Priddis Greens Golf Club.
• With 11 years at the course, Craig Macarthur is the head golf professional at Blackhawk Golf Club in Spruce Grove, Alberta.
• Chad Scott is the Head Golf professional at the Rise in Vernon and is the current president of the PGA of BC.

Kevin Maffioli, Head Golf Professional at Christina Lake Golf Club, got his start at the Fernie Golf Club pro shop in 1996.	Mike Will, left, grew up golfing in Fernie and went on to become the Head Professional for the Cordova Bay Golf Course.
Chad Scott, Head Professional at The Rise Golf Course in Vernon, was appointed the PGA of BC Association’s 39th President in 2017.	Max Sherwood, Fernie Golf Club’s CPGA Head Professional , center, with Gus Twamley and a visiting professional, on the left, and Gerry Pang and Steve Servello, on the right.

Other Related Histories & Documents

Incorporation as a Society in the Province of British Columbia

October 22, 1974

Crows Nest Pass Coal Company History

https://elkvalleycoal.com/history/

From B.C. Golf Museum Site

http://www.bcgolfhouse.com/fernie-golf-club-celebrates-100-years-1918-2018

Fernie Golf Club Celebrates 100 Years 1918-2018

Posted on April 5, 2018 by BC Golf House

FERNIE GOLF CLUB CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

When speaking about centennial celebrations for golf clubs in British Columbia, the most frequent question asked is: “Where does our club rank in BC with regard to centennial celebrations?” The following existing clubs have celebrated centennials since the first in 1993: Victoria Golf Club (1893), Vancouver Golf Club (1910), Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club (1911), Royal Colwood Golf Club (1913), Qualicum Golf Course (1913), Vernon Golf Club (1913), Cranbrook Golf Club (1913), Kamloops Golf Club (1914), Kelowna Golf Club (1915), and Penticton Golf Club (1915).

In 2018, the Fernie Golf Club begins a decade for golf club centennial celebrations.  In fact, from 1918 – 1928 over fifty golf courses began operation.  Research indicates more golf courses opened in this decade than any other time in the history of golf in the province. Golf became the preferred sport for citizens of small towns because residents from all ages and economic levels could play the game. City officials encouraged groups to build a golf course so the motoring tourists could be encouraged to stay one more night in the village “to play the best golf course in the province”. The golf course clubhouse became the community centre for the townspeople.

Golf historians believe Scots introduced the game to many regions of North America. The standard belief is:  when a Scot arrived in an area, he immediately began the process to form a golf club and construct a course. With regard to the Fernie GC perhaps townspeople visited Cranbrook or the Okangan region, saw golf being played, and decided to form a golf club.

Maybe, a transplanted Scot, Alex (Sandy) Watson introduced the game to Fernie? In 1912, he arrived in the coal town to work as the government customs agent. By1917, he had changed professions from the government to the Home Bank as their manager. With strong Scottish roots, Alex came with a golfing background. Did he inspire his fellow citizens to add golf to their summer activities after the curling season concluded in March?  The Fernie GC officially formed on April 5, 1918 when a group of citizens met. The attendees elected Alan Graham as President, R.M. Young as Vice-President, and Alex (Sandy) Watson as Secretary-Treasurer. S. Herchmer, Jas McLean, E. Daniels, E. K. Steward, and Thomas Prentice comprised the Executive Committee.  This committee chose the land known as “Prentice Park” with a spur line of the Great Northern Railway forming the north boundary for the first golf course.  When the local newspaper announced the new golf group required assistance, volunteers appeared for the work bees with shovels, rakes, hoes, and scythes ready to contribute to the cause. The aspiring golfers worked diligently to transform the land into a make shift links.  By the end of July, the work on the course was completed at a cost of $500.  In August, Alex Watson and R.M. Young defeated A Graham and S.  Herrchmer in the first club match over the newly competed course.  In 1919 at the annual general meeting, the Board announced the course wintered well. The members chose W.R. Wilson, General Manager of the Crows Nest Pass Coal Co, as their Honorary President and R. Wood as the Honorary Vice President. These appointments began a seventy-year relationship between the Fernie GC and the coal company. In September, Fernie defeated Cranbrook 15 – 2 in the first inter-club match held on the course. In 1920, the club officials hired a greens keeper to improve the playing conditions.  The following year, golf professional Bob Smith of Nelson, laid out a new course across the spur line that formed the northern boundary of the original course. The club paid Crows Nest Pass thirty dollars per year. Basically this represented the equivalent amount the local farmers paid to the company for the right to graze their cattle on the company’s unused lands.  Because golf became so popular by the mid-twenties, Watson encouraged Suddaby’s Drug & Bookstore to order golf supplies from Scotland.

Fernie Free Press Commemorative Insert – June 2018

https://issuu.com/thefreepress/docs/fernie_golf_100th_anniversary_2018

https://www.thefreepress.ca/community/retired-golfer-recalls-sport-with-fondness/

Retired golfer recalls sport with fondness

By Jennifer Cronin – Fernie Free Press – June 20, 2018

Verne Hornquist has looked back on his golfing years ahead of Fernie Golf Club’s 100th anniversary.

Verne Hornquist arrived from Kimberley to Fernie with his family in 1945 at the age of 10.When Verne was a young fellow, his parents became members of the Fernie Golf and Country Club, and he would watch them play. This motivated him to take up the sport around the age of 18.

Playing on greens made of sand, sawdust and old car oil was the norm. It was the way the game was played. After putting, the “green” would be swept with a homemade sweeper consisting of a pole with a vertical pipe attached to it.

A motion of sweeping side to side kept the sand from disappearing. A ladle was then used to scoop out the hole in which there would be placed a flagstick, approximately three feet in height, the bottom of which was weighted to stop it from falling out of the hole.

Verne recalls the greens being small, and how he got used to tending the greens during the game. “We had to do it all the time,” he remembers.

Most of the tee areas had platforms with a rubber mat. There was a standard on which hung two buckets – the first full of water, the second filled with sand. “We used to get the ball wet, and then rub sand on it to get it clean,” he said.

“It was a beautiful clubhouse, and originally the home of Alex McDougall, the owner of the Fernie Lumber Company,” the foundation of which you can see as you walk down the 15th hole of the Fernie Golf Club. “There were good times in that clubhouse,” Verne stated.

He recalled that there was no power in the clubhouse until East Kootenay Power gifted it to the golf club. Prior to that time, lanterns fueled with white gas produced the lighting.

Andy Traska, Verne recalls, was the first caretaker of the course. “He would mow all the holes with one tractor,” he said.  As there was no water on the course, when the weather warmed up, usually in June, the course would dry out and mowing became unnecessary. “When this happened, we would play a preferred lie,” Verne chuckled.

Water was put in around 1960 using old piping from the old Coal Creek mine. The local members got together to install the pipe. “People from all walks of life helped out, even those wearing ties,” said Verne. There were heavy hoses attached to standards, with taps. The watering was done with sprinklers and water guns. The hose would be dragged to different locations. “This made a big difference, it allowed us to put in grass greens around 1967 or ’68,” said Verne.

Local contractors and members pitched in to do all of the work to build the greens. “We used to have so much fun, especially on men’s night. Sometimes we would play a dime a point, (winning) that dime was important as draft beer was only 10 cents,” Verne laughed.

As well as men’s night, Verne would usually play the course, which was at the time nine holes, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “Everybody had their turn throwing a club, which sometimes got stuck in the tree, and a couple of days later they would still be up there,” he smiled.

“There is always that one hole that will give you a hard time, and there are always some bragging points. We had so much fun, it was amazing,” Verne shared. “It (the Fernie Golf Club) is a beautiful course, people are sure lucky to have it.”

After playing with a regular group of 10-12 friends, Verne put down the clubs about 1994. Retiring with a seven handicap, he recalls his years of playing golf as “one of the best times he had”.

Contributions from Local Industry and Businesses

Over its first 75 years, local industries and businesses, particularly the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company made significant contributions to the operation and expansion of the Fernie Golf Club.  After its first year, the new club astutely added Mr. W.R. Wilson, along with R. Wood to its executive.  They served as Honourary President and Vice President.  At the time, aside from apparently being a keen golfer, W.R. Wilson was also the General Manager of the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company upon whose land the first golf holes had been developed.  Thus started a long relationship between the golf club and the Coal Company, undoubtedly spurring other local businesses to contribute to the club.

In 1921, just three years following the initial course layout, Mr. Wilson built a new fairway on the north side of the railway spur line (site of the current high school) at his own expense.  This started the process of moving the rest of the course to where it would operate for the next 65 years.  The new site was leased from the Coal Company for a sum of $30 per year which had been previously paid by local farmers for grazing rights on the land.

Also, in 1921, the club acquired and relocated the former home and office of the Sandy McDougall, owner and manager of the McDougall Sawmill.  The building, which had survived Fernie’s two big fires (1904 & 1908), was dragged by building contractor George Cody using a team of horses from its original location (vicinity of the current 15^th hole) up the embankment to the location of the current golf cart shed.  This building, despite having no electricity or running water, would serve the club until a new club house was built some 50 years later.

Local retailers also supported the new sport.  In 1924 it was reported that Suddaby’s Drug and Book Store was carrying a complete line of golf equipment – Auchterlaine golf clubs from Scotland , including left handed clubs. Putters, drivers and brassies – $5.50, Brassie Spoons – $6.00 and other irons – $3.50.  The Trites Wood Co. carried McGregor Drivers, Cleeks, Mashies and Putters – $3.00 plus Buhrke Metal Bottom Bags.

In 1960 the club installed a much needed irrigation system using pipe donated by the Coal Company from the recently closed Coal Creek mines.  In 1968, the conversion of the sand ‘greens’ to grass was made possible with the sale of debentures and donations from Crows Nest Industries (the evolution of the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company), Kaiser Resources (Westar), local equipment contractors and volunteer club members.

In 1972, Crows Nest Industries donated land to the City of Fernie for the creation of Prentice Park, the site of the original golf course.

https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMZGV6_Crows_Nest_Industries_Limited_75_Years_Prentice_Park_Fernie_BC

In 1968 a large portion of the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company properties and mines were acquired by Kaiser Resources Ltd.  Later, in 1978, Shell Canada acquired the remainder of Crows Nest Industries.

Finally, in 1980, the golf club signed a 99 year lease with Shell Canada for the then current golf course plus land to the north that would enable the club to proceed with the long awaited expansion to 18 holes.  Once again Crows Nest Industries plus Westar and Nohels Logging contributed to the course development.

Contributions from local businesses were vital to the construction of the current clubhouse:

Today, local businesses continue to support the club through advertising and support of events and tournaments.

Competitions and Leagues

As early as July 1918 work was completed on the first holes of the Fernie Golf Course and the following month the first golf match took place at the course with A. Watson and R.M. Young defeating A. Graham and S. Herchmer.  In subsequent years competitions were keen with matches between M.A. Kastner and J. Corbet being compared with fights between Kilkenny Cats.  In the first inter-club match play, held in September 1919, Fernie defeated Cranbrook by a score of fifteen matches to two.

Emblematic of inter club championships was the “Boyd Cup”, which started initially among the Fernie, Cranbrook, Kimberley, and Creston clubs and later included Wardner.  Eight players from each club were represented by four teams of two players each and teams set out as foursomes.  Twenty seven holes were played and low ball only counted.  Lowest team aggregate won the “Trophy” and as laid out by Ian Dufour the rules stipulated:

1. Club holding the tournament to supply a meal and two bottles of beer.
2. Each of the losing teams to supply a bottle of Scotch the following year.
3. The Scotch was to be poured into the trophy with two parts water and the cup passed around.
4. All beer apart from the tow bottles to be sold at $0.25 a bottle.

A prize was given to the two players with the lowest scores.  The competition became known as the ‘Boyd Haddad Tournament’.

In addition, the Crows Nest Pass Golf Association held tournaments at a different host club each year from Lethbridge through to Fernie. However during the 1930s and 40s many of these tournaments were cancelled due to gas rationing and the shortage of golf balls.

Each golf season now sees the Fernie Golf Club hosting a number of special tournaments.  In May, weather permitting, the Men’s, Ladies and Juniors will host their opening tournaments.  As the summer progresses many local charities will host competitions and often the area Pro-Am tournament is held at the club.  Other staple tournaments throughout the season include the Club Championship, the Tony Servello Senior’s Open, the Adult/Junior Team tournament, the Ironman tournament and the Turkey Tombstone.  The latter, which comes with a turkey dinner, closes out the season.

Leagues of Volunteers – Who Love Golf

From the initial meetings in 1918 the Fernie Golf Club’s success in becoming a reality would rely completely on its volunteer members. When a Fernie Free Press advertisement called for work bee volunteers to help create the holes, aspiring golfers responded eagerly. That volunteer tradition continues today.  From the Board of Directors, to tournament coordinators and the Men’s and Ladies Leagues, volunteer members carry out most of the Club’s activities.  Within the first few years, the club boasted both Men’s and Ladies League play each week.

A staple for the Senior’s League each year is the Tony Servello Open, which attracts senior golfers from around the region.  Tony Servello, , was a tireless volunteer and avid golfer in the early years of the club

Men’s League

The Men’s League has varied their competitions over the years, going from established teams, who played together each week, to varied foursomes.  Weekly varied foursomes allowed new players to join and meet other established members.  Through Men’s Night events, club members were cajoled into joining work parties to keep the course in good playing shape.  In the early days, Men’s Nights were known to go from 5 pm to 5 am, when Skifty Morris was the clubhouse manager.

Since the early years, each Wednesday night is Men’s Night.  Along with the nightly competition, the Men’s League also organizes a season long team competition.  Men’s League Teams are drafted at the Men’s Opening by team captains. Rounds are played each week and points are accumulated toward the season total. These totals seed the teams for playoff matches. Prizes are awarded based on the number of teams competing – to encourage all players to come out each week, participation points are awarded.

Men’s Night specials often featured different kinds of competitions. Men’s members, from left, Dave Burt, Bobby Lozza, Ron Hofner and Terry Cryderman	Ron Bentley, left, Irv Mitchell, center, and John Hack would enjoy Wednesday night Men’s League play with other club members

 Ladies League

In the early days, the women of the Ladies League were the backbone of clubhouse operations before a manager  was hired.  In the club’s early years lady volunteers would prepare luncheons or dinners for tournaments and special events.

Starting as their own entity, the Ladies Club formally joined the larger Fernie Golf and Country Club in 1928.  Miss M. Brown, Mrs. George Kilman Jr. and Mrs. Owen represented the Ladies Club members on the Board of Directors.  They contributed $35 from their coffers, which they requested be used on furniture for the clubhouse.

Not only did the ladies provide substantial service and volunteer hours to the physical club operations, in 1933 they offered recommendations to the board to help increase membership:

• Visitor Days – encourage members to bring visitors to the clubhouse for tea and to promote the Club,
• Create local advertisements at hotels and campgrounds to encourage new golfers,
• Reduce members cost for lunch from $5 to $3

That tradition of forward thinking still resonates with today’s Ladies League as members continually promote the Club and play host to numerous golf tournaments benefitting a range of community charities.

The Ladies Club usually published a golf guide each year to provide members with information ranging from a special events calendar to handicap instructions	The Ladies League has always had strong leadership and volunteer base. Jean Simpkins, left, was a league president for many years, pictured here with Theresa Vickers, center, and Rosemary Brydon
Many Fernie golfers also travel to represent the club at tournaments – this group enjoyed a visit to the Crystal Lake Golf Course south of Eureka, Montana	Marilyn Bruschetta, left, along with Evelyn Mitchell,center, and Linda Cryderman, enjoyed Ladies League Tuesday  specials, which continue to this day

 Junior Program

The Junior golf program at the Club was developed in 1928, when annual fees were set at $5 per year. Youngsters interested in golf were also encouraged to caddy to learn the game.  However, each had to purchase a 25-cent badge for proper identification.

Through the years the program has helped mentor and develop young local golfers, many who were coached by Club volunteers from both the men’s and ladies league.  A Club volunteer, with the help of the Club professional, organizes the program.

Few sports garner participant’s long-term dedication like golf.  The Fernie Golf Club is a true testament with numerous members belonging to the club for more than 40 years and at least one member has belonged for over 50 years.  Many local families have been members for multiple generations.

This dedication to the sport has translated into a thriving club with strong programs for golfers of all ages.

Junior programs have run at the club since its inception providing young people with an opportunity to learn the game. Picture here is Mike Rigg, left, Mark Lento, center, and Danny Gill	Fernie Golf Club members like Tippy Menduk would provide the Junior Program golfers with instruction

Accomplished Golfers

Fernie is known as a sports town.  Whether team sports like hockey or soccer or individual sports like skiing or golf, the community has produced some very accomplished athletes.  Among the best in 1922 was ‘Sandy’ Watson who, along with a fellow competitor – D.G. McKenzie of Blairmore were semi finalists at the “Canadian National Championships”, while Agnes Lawes dominated in the ladies competitions a few years later.  They were followed during 1940 – 1950 era by Frank and Ellen Hughes who won several “East Kootenay” and “Crowsnest Pass Open” titles and were succeeded by Jimmy Maraasco who held the old 9 hole course record of 29.  Jimmy moved to Vancouver Island where he won the “Island Amateur” and in 1972 defeated well-known pro Bill Wakeham to win the “West Coast Open”.  Arny Sherwood then continued winning laurels for Fernie for a number of years.  A former member, Gary Puder, subsequently won a B. C. Amateur championship.  The Hughes family continued prominence at the Fernie Golf club, with Frank Hughes holding the course record of 64 on the old course, and brother Paul holding the course record of 64 on the new course.  Paul Hughes qualified in both 1991 and 1992 for the B.C. Amateur championship.

Sandy Watson, Agnes Lawes

Among the best golfers in the 1920s was one of the club founders Sandy Watson, who won the prestigious Crows Nest Pass Championship four times.  Sandy, and fellow competitor D.G. McKenzie of Blairmore, were semi finalists at the Canadian National Championship.  Fernie golfer Agnes Lawes also dominated the Crows Nest Pass Championship in 1925, 1930, 1931 and again in 1948.

THE HUGHES OF FERNIE &  THE FERNIE GC  (Source:  BC Golf Museum)

Research to date shows the Hughes family tree dates to the 1850s in Creggan Upper, County Armagh and Louth, Ireland.  Like most Irish families, Patrick Hughes and Mary McKenna Hughes had several children among them son Patrick Hughes.  Probably for economic reasons, the son, Patrick, left Ireland in the 1870s for Lanarkshire, Scotland.  The family consisted of at least seven children.  The two oldest children, Patrick and Thomas, are listed in the 1901 Scotland census as coal miner hewers.  In 1903, Patrick (age 22) and Thomas (age 20) boarded the SS Sicilian from Glasgow, Scotland bound for Montreal, Quebec.  The ship manifest listed the two brothers as travelling to Fernie, British Columbia to work in the coal mines.  Around 1908, Patrick married Elizabeth Shields.  The couple had eleven children including Ellen (b 1912), Francis (b 1914), Terry (b 1923), John, and Jim.  The 1921 Canada Census, records Patrick as a clerk/salesman with an annual income of $1200. Clearly, he had left the coal mining profession during the previous decade.  There is no record for Thomas in the 1911 Canada Census or the Fernie City Directories.

At present, it is difficult to determine how the Hughes children became actively involved in golf.  But the Fernie GC had a number of prominent regional champions.  Alex Watson won the prestigious Crow’s Nest Pass Championship (CNPC) in 1922, ’24, ’25, and ‘28.  When he moved to Victoria he immediately won the 1928 Victoria City Championship as a member of the Victoria GC. Mrs. Agnes Lawes won CNPC in 1925, ’30, ’31, and ’48.  Hank Hayne won the Crow in 1927.  Perhaps Ellen and Frank started as caddies for these prominent players.  Newspaper accounts indicate the Hughes children participated in all local sports excelling in sports, like badminton and swimming.  There is no indication their parents played golf.  In fact one newspaper account in 1936 indicated the parents had not seen their children play golf until the Fernie GC hosted the Crow Championship at the Fernie course.

Ellen dominated women’s golf in the East Kootenays from 1932 – 1950s.  She credited her success to her long driving ability. “My opponents become intimidated when I constantly out drive them by thirty to forty yards. “Frank’s opponents consistently remarked they never felt dominated by Frank.  “He was always such a gentleman on the course win or lose.”

In a 1937 article Roy McKenzie, the Lethbridge, Alberta sports editor for the Lethbridge Herald, outlined the uniqueness of the brother /sister duo from Fernie.  “It was in 1933 that the Hughes from Fernie first pulled their brother-sister act by Frank winning the men’s championship and Ellen winning the women’s title.  Many said it was lucky breaks when they repeated in 1936, but in 1937 they repeated again.  This seems to establish one thing definitely: that they are both able to play like champions for three gruelling days.  The Hughes show real golf on the tough little course that they play on at home and they are able to take this golf with them to other courses.  Frank’s style is a contrast to his sister.  A slim good-looking lad, he might be termed an unorthodox player.  He takes a short grip on the club, stands a long way from the ball and bends over quite a bit.  His drives vary in length and most have a little hook on the end to give added distance.  Frank is a mental golfer.  He wins his matches because he does not believe that he can lose.  He sinks long putts because he makes up his mind the putt will go in.  To follow him in a match you would think that he never considered missing a putt.  Playing a practice round in the 1937 tournament at Blairmore, he scored 69 with 12 one-putt greens.  Hughes attempts to sink every approach from 100 yards in.  In this way he gets closer to the cup than his opponents who are trying to get close to the green.  His opponents enjoy playing a match against him.  He is the modest player to be found.  He has the ability to make his opponents feel at home and they are seldom nervous.”

Other members of the Hughes family who showed golfing prowess included Terry, the 1948 Crow Champion. John and Jim won various flights in the Crow.  Over its 100-year history the Fernie GC has produced several other champions including: Arnold Sherwood, Gary Puder, and Jackie Twamley.

Frank Hughes holds the FGC course record of 64 on the old course while his brother Paul qualified in both 1991 and 1992 for the B.C. Amateur Championship.

Ellen Hughes playing record

Crows Nest Pass Champion 1932,’33,’34,’35,’36,’37,’38,’39,’40,’44,

Nelson District Open Champion 1936

Frank Hughes playing record

Crows Nest Pass Champion 1933,’36,’37

Wood Valance Champion 1946,’48,’50

 Terry Hughes playing record

Crows Nest Pass Champion 1948

Frank Hughes, left, with Frank Pichler, at a Fernie club tournament. Ellen and Frank Hughes, Frank’s aunt and uncle, dominated local tournaments in the 1940s and 50s

Jackie Twamley

The highest achievement for a Fernie golfer belongs to Jackie Twamley.  Jackie has won both B.C. and Alberta Junior championships and in 1986 was Canadian Junior Champion as well as Alberta Ladies Champion.  She then earned a golf scholarship at the University of North Texas.  Jackie placed well at the World Junior Ladies in San Diego and in a World Amateur Tournament in Australia.  Jackie worked as an assistant pro at Bear’s Paw in Calgary, where she qualified for the 1991 LPGA event in Canada, the Du Maurier Cup.