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The Phoenix Trophy
Origin:
Presented to Beaconsfield Golf Club by Mrs. T. Howard Stewart in 1929, following the fire which destroyed the club house.
Competition:
Originally, the Phoenix Trophy was competed for by those clubs in the Montreal area, which had extended hospitality to Beaconsfield members at the time of the great fire.
From 1930 to 1962, competition was based on individual medal play.
In 1952, the basis of competition was changed to team best ball.
Participation in this invitational tournament has been extended to other golf club teams from other provinces of Canada and, on occasion, other parts of the world.
First individual winner was J.A. Fuller, 1930, Royal Montreal Golf Club.
First team winners were J.K. Burnett and R.F. Meyer, 1952, Summerlea Golf Club. |
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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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