The 2024 edition of the Presidents Cup comes from a venue not only with previous experience of hosting the match, but one with a rich history in general.
The club is the oldest in North America, having been established in 1873, 11 years before Queen Victoria granted permission for it to use the prefix “Royal” in its name, one of the few clubs globally to receive the honor. It is also one of the five founding clubs of the Royal Canadian Golf Association.
The club began as a nine-hole course in the city’s Mount Royal Park, but since then it has moved twice. The first move came in 1896 to Dixie in the parish of Dorval in the city, before urban growth dictated another change of location, this time in 1959 to the exclusive island of L'Île-Bizard to the west of the city, where it remains.
There, Dick Wilson designed 45 holes at the venue which are nowadays separated into three courses – the Blue Course, the Red Course and the nine-hole Dixie Course. However, it is the Blue Course which enjoys the biggest reputation, and is considered one of the best not just in Canada, but the world.
Rees Jones renovated the Blue Course in 2004 and 2005, while it was updated again in the build-up to the 2024 Presidents Cup, this time by a team from PGA Tour Design Services.
The course features a classic parkland layout, with tight tree-lined fairways, large bunkers and small greens, while the back nine sees water appear prominently, including on each of the last five holes. The signature hole is the par-4 16th, which plays directly into the prevailing wind.
The Blue Course originally hosted the match in 2007, where Gary Player’s International Team was defeated by the US by 14.5-19.5. However, despite the defeat, there will be fond memories for current International Team captain Mike Weir, who beat Tiger Woods 1-up in their Sunday singles match.
As well as being the course for that and the 2024 edition of the Presidents Cup, it is also where South African Tim Clark beat current US captain Jim Furyk in the 2014 RBC Canadian Open. That was one of five occasions the current venue has hosted the event, with its previous home staging the tournament the same number of times between 1904 and 1950.
Given its hugely prestigious reputation, it’s not a surprise that Royal Montreal Golf Club is private, with initiation fees estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000.
Royal Montreal Golf Club Location
How Many Members Does Royal Montreal Golf Club Have?
Royal Montreal Golf Club is one of the most exclusive in North America. It is estimated that it currently has around 1,000 members, while initiation fees are reportedly between $50,000 and $100,000.
When Was Royal Montreal Golf Club Established?
The club was established in 1873 at the city's Mount Royal Park, but it has moved twice since then, first in 1896 to Dixie in the parish of Dorval in the city and again in 1959, to the island of L'Île-Bizard to the west of the city.
