Features Profiles
Scarboro to build new irrigation pond for its centennial anniversary in 2012

A new 1.5-million-gallon irrigation pond is under construction this
fall at the Scarboro Golf & Country Club in Toronto, and will be
ready to go in time for the private club’s 100th anniversary next year.

“The new holding pond will ease our watering issues as the club complies with the Ministry of the Environment guidelines,” superintendent Bill Gilkes said. “All golf clubs in the province are now required to have irrigation ponds to decrease the amount of water we take from rivers and streams.”

The reservoir is being constructed on an elevated portion of the property, between the eighth and 17th fairways.

Three years ago, the golf course engaged in a major project to restore its bunkers to reflect the vision of architect A.W. Tillinghast who redesigned Scarboro in 1924. The golf course had initially been designed by Canadian golf professional and architect George Cumming 12 years earlier.

The 2008 project cost in excess of $1 million and required the earmarked bunkers to be “steepened up” to reflect the original look by Tillinghast. The bunkers were stripped of their original sand and filled with Pro/Angle® bunker sand which promotes more playable shotmaking. Drainage of the bunkers was also vastly improved.

The various improvements to the course helped it to earn the 2011 “Club of the Year” award (for large-size clubs) by the Canadian Society of Club Managers. The organization represents club managers at about 400 clubs across Canada.

The golf club is producing a book to commemorate its centennial year, depicting its rich history which includes hosting the 1940, 1947, 1953 and 1963 Canadian Open championships.