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The Canadian Open
This prestigious golf event has been played at Beaconsfield on two occasions.
In the 1946 Canadian Open, two U.S. veterans of the tour, Dick Metz and George Fazio, tied after 72 holes with identical scores of 10 under par – 278. A 36-hole playoff match was won by Fazio with a 70 – 71, 141 score. Stan Leonard was low scoring Canadian, one shot off the pace.
In 1956, Doug Sanders, an amateur at the time, and well known US pro golfer Dow Finsterwald tied after 72 holes with 276 strokes. This was the first Canadian Open to be televised and cameras were only located on the last three holes of the course so it was decided that the sudden death playoff would take place starting at the 16th hole.
Doug Sanders won the Open with a par 4 on the first playoff hole. Low scoring Canadian was Gordie Brydson. |
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OVERVIEW
The mature beauty of the golf course and its relatively short 6512 yards, subtly disguise its severe demands on accuracy.
Legends of the likes of Andy Bean, Julius Boros, Pat Bradley, JoAnne Carner, Henry Cotton, Ben Crenshaw, George Fazio, Bill Kerr, Stan Leonard, Nancy Lopez, Dr. Gil Morgan, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Doug Sanders, and Lee Trevino have struggled through the formidable array of holes 3, 4, 5, and 6. Coming out of this turn alive is the secret to managing Beaconsfield and the reputation of Beaconsfield as being a Golfer's Golf Course, arises from this strenuous test.
The course is unique in many other respects. There are five par 3 holes, each with its particular challenge. By combining distance, strategically located bunkers and an undulating green, the notorious 13th - "Village" - is possibly the most difficult par 3 in Canada. The 15th - "Gibraltar", Beaconsfield's signature hole, is set against a stunning 30-foot rock face - a remnant from its origins as a limestone quarry.
The excavated rock which in effect created the elevated tees at 1, 10, 12 and 16, was used to construct the 24 piers of the Victoria Bridge for the Grand Trunk railway.
Unlike most courses in America, the par 4's, of which there are nine, have scant resemblance to one another.
The par 5's, two of which have elevated tees, offering views of the lake and the community, are easily remembered for their wide variety of features.
The 18th hole with water coming into play at two critical locations, and the sprawling white clubhouse framing the green is regarded as one of the most exciting and picturesque finishing holes in Canada.
Because of its reputation as being one of the finest competitive courses in the country, Beaconsfield has hosted many major golf tournaments during its existence, including: Canadian Open - 1946, 1956. Canada Cup (World Cup) - 1953 and the Ladies' Professional Golf Association (LPGA) - 1983, 1985, 1989. In 2004, Beaconsfield will be host to the Canadian Amateur Championship.
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| Beautiful Beaconsfield is the oldest club in the Montreal area that is still situated on its original site. |
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