Canada has its fair share of impressive golfers. There are currently 42 Canadian golfers competing on major golf tours, including Adam Hadwin, Brooke Henderson, Richard T. Lee, Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor, and Mike Weir. Plus, many more are playing on non-major tours. All of these players are following in the footsteps of some iconic figures in Canadian golf history. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the game of golf has been played in Canada since 1873. To celebrate Canada Day, we want to highlight some legendary Canadian golfers from the early days of golf in this country! Let’s take a look back at some of the iconic figures in Canadian golf history!
George Seymour Lyon
1858 – 1938
Despite a late start to the game at the age of 38, George Seymour Lyon won the gold medal in golf in the 1904 Summer Olympics. Additionally, he has won over 15 Canadian amateur golf championships. Lyon’s legacy has been honoured by the Canada Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Notable Tournament Wins
- 1904 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 8-time winner of the Canadian Amateur Championship between 1898 and 1914
- 10-time winner of the Seniors’ Golf Association Championship between 1918 and 1930
Karl Keffer
1882 – 1955
Karl Keffer was one of the founding members of the PGA of Canada in 1911. He sat on the Board of Directors as Honorary Secretary-Treasurer from 1914-1928, Captain from 1934-1937 and President from 1938 to 1940. Keffer won the Canadian Open twice during his professional career, and he remained the only Canadian-born winner of the national open until Nick Taylor’s 2023 victory.
Notable Tournament Wins
- 1909 Canadian Open
- 1914 Canadian Open
- 1919 Manitoba Open
- 1926 Quebec Open
Charlie & Albert Murray
Brothers Charlie and Albert Murray both had impressive golf careers starting in the early 1900s. Charlie began his career in the early 1890s under the mentorship of George Cumming, another key Canadian golf figure, also know as “The Dean of Canadian Professional Golfers”. Both brothers, along with George, were co-founders of the PGA of Canada and winners of the Canadian Open.
Charlie Murray
1882 – 1938
While assisting George Cumming, Charlie worked as a caddie, learned the art of club-making and how to be a proficient player and teacher. Charlie won the Canadian Open twice as well as the inaugural 1912 Canadian PGA Championship.
Notable Tournament Wins
- 1906 Canadian Open
- 1911 Canadian Open
- 1912 Canadian PGA Championship
- 1933 Quebec Golf Association Spring Open
- 10-Time winner of the Quebec Open between 1909 and 1924
Albert Murray
1887 – 1974
At just 16 years old, Albert Murray became the youngest Canadian Professional Golfer while working as an assistant to his older brother Charlie. And in 1908, Albert became the youngest Canadian Open winner. He later went on to become a golf course architect.
Notable Tournament Wins
- 1908 Canadian Open
- 1913 Canadian Open
- 1924 Canadian PGA Championship
Ada Mackenzie
1891 – 1973
Ada Mackenzie played multiple sports including golf, cricket and tennis. She made numerous advances for women who wanted to participate in the game of golf. In 1924 she founded the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto. And in 1930, she opened a women’s sportswear store, filling a much-needed gap in the sportswear market. In 1933, she was named the outstanding female athlete of the year by The Canadian Press. Additionally, she holds 15 amateur tournament wins.
Notable Tournament Wins
- 5-Time Winner of the Canadian Women’s Amateur between 1919 and 1935
- 5-Time Winner of the Canadian Ladies’ Close Championship between 1926 and 1933
- 5-Time Winner of the Canadian Senior Women’s Championship between 1955 and 1969
