The first organization to bring golf to Prince Edward Island, the Belvedere Golf Club’s history dates back over a century. What started small with nine holes of golf grew into an 18-hole course that hosted multiple provincial and national competitions. Still maintaining its green on P.E.I.’s red soil, Belvedere is one of the oldest golf clubs in Canada.

Teeing off

The beginning of the Belvedere Golf Club dates back to 1902. Before this time, some islanders played golf on makeshift holes on a racetrack. As interest in the sport increased, a group of islanders organized to discuss creating P.E.I.’s inaugural golf course and facilities. About 60 people attended the first planning meeting. Two weeks later, the group reassembled to elect a board of directors and called their organization the Charlottetown Golf Club.

A 110-acre property was leased on the outer part of Charlottetown in Belvidere Woods, and construction of a nine-hole course and small clubhouse began. The course first opened for play in 1903. In 1907, the organization purchased the property they had been leasing and the nonprofit officially incorporated as the Belvedere Golf Club.

Growing green

Over time, Belvedere’s membership and course continued to grow. In 1929, nine additional holes were added to make it a full 18-hole course. The Club also purchased additional land from the Government to expand in 1960. The new space was used to design new holes to replace three that became practice space.

In 1964, the Belvedere Golf Club Board of Directors decided it was time to upgrade its almost 60-year-old cottage-style clubhouse. New facilities were constructed with a budget of $135,000. Around this same time, the Board also wanted to address the seasonality of the Club’s business. So, four curling rinks were built, and it was rebranded the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club. Sadly, the move didn’t work as planned. Curling proved to be a costly endeavour, and the organization reverted to the Belvedere Golf Club again by 1993 after retiring its curling services. The old curling facilities became storage space for golf carts and clubs.

Belvedere’s clubhouse and course had another major upgrade after significant damage from Tropical Storm Fiona in 2022. When the Club opened for the season this past May after final renovations were complete, former Board President John A. McMillan says members agreed it was the best the Club has ever looked.

Fore the long haul

Today, the Belvedere Golf Club continues to operate in Charlottetown, P.E.I. and is managed by a 12-member Board of Directors. In addition to its 18-hole golf course, the Club’s facilities include event and meeting space, a public driving range, a restaurant, bar and golf simulators for wintertime.

Speaking of the organization’s significance, McMillan commented: “The Belvedere Golf Club has a very long and rich history and lives up to its reputation and billing as ‘a treasure to play.’”

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