OLDS – About 160 people attended a gala banquet at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites on Saturday night to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Olds Golf Club Society.
The current 18-hole championship Olds Golf Club is located just east of Olds at 33042 Rge. Rd. 12 in Mountain View County.
The Olds Golf Club has had four locations over the past century after being started by a group of local businessmen. The original Olds Golf course was located one mile south of town on the east side of the railway tracks.
In the late 1930s, the second course was developed on the southern edge of town, and in 1945 a third course was developed in the centre of Olds.
Then in 1974, the club purchased 160 acres two miles east and half a mile north of town, with the course opening in 1981.
Today, the Olds Golf Club is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary facility.
During Saturday’s celebration banquet, club president Darren Quilley called the 100th anniversary great for the community.
“As our club marks its centennial anniversary, this milestone offers a moment of reflection on its storied history, a celebration of its present achievements and a vision for its promising future,” he said.
“Over the decades, our commitment to fostering sportsmanship, camaraderie and excellence has transformed our little course into a great golfing experience for many.”
The club and its membership have overcome many challenges over the years, including economic downturns, a world war, and evolving trends in golf, he said.
“Each of these challenges contributed to the resilience and adaptability that define the Olds Golf Club today,” he said. “The club has always been more than just a sporting venue. It has served as a cornerstone of our community, offering residents a place to connect, enjoy the outdoors and build lifelong friendships.”
He recalled a number of highlights for the club over the years, including hosting the Alberta Men’s Senior Championship in 2020, “which brought together the best senior men players from across the province.”
The club has a great future ahead, he said.
“As the club embarks on its next chapter, we must do so with a heart full of gratitude for our past and a vision brimming with promise for the future,” he said.
During Saturday’s banquet, club pro-manager Mathew MacDonald called the anniversary a “special milestone.”
“The reality is this entire operation, this entire golf course, is built largely on the backs of the community that it resides in. I want to say thank you to all of you for your continued support, your patronage, and for joining us here this evening,” he said.
Town councillor Wanda Blatz brought greetings and congratulations on behalf of council and Mayor Judy Dahl.
The centennial is a “milestone that not only reflects the history of this course but the spirit and resilience of our entire community,” she said.
“This course is more than just fairways and greens; it is place where friendships have been formed, memories made, and where community pride shines. Thanks to your contributions to Olds and here’s to the next 100 years.”
Banquet MC Ken Weseen acknowledged the important provincial government grant support the club has received over the decades.
During the banquet, a moment of silence as observed for members who have passed.
The celebration ceremony also included video presentations and other speeches.
Some of club’s history archives, on loan from the Mountain View Museum, was also on display.
