Royal Montreal Golf Club: North America’s Oldest Golf Club — History, Membership & Course Guide

The Royal Montreal Golf Club, founded in 1873, holds the distinction of being the oldest golf club in North America. Located on Île-Bizard in Montreal, Quebec, this prestigious private club has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian golf history for over 150 years.

A Legacy of Firsts: Royal Montreal’s Historic Significance

When Alexander Dennistoun and a group of Scottish immigrants established the club in 1873, they created not just a golf course but a Canadian sporting institution. The club received its “Royal” designation from Queen Victoria in 1884 — one of only a handful of golf clubs worldwide to carry this honor.

Royal Montreal has hosted the Canadian Open multiple times, including its inaugural running in 1904. Most notably, the club hosted the Presidents Cup in 2007 and again in 2024, showcasing the course to a global audience.

The Blue Course: Championship Layout

The club features 45 holes across three courses (Blue, Red, and a 9-hole course). The Blue Course, redesigned by Dick Wilson in 1959 and later refined by Rees Jones for the Presidents Cup, is the championship layout:

• Par: 70
• Yardage: 7,166 yards
• Slope Rating: 148
• Course Rating: 75.6
• Designer: Dick Wilson (1959) / Rees Jones (2007 redesign)

The Blue Course is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 5 golf courses by ScoreGolf Magazine, praised for its strategic bunkering, challenging greens, and immaculate conditioning.

Membership & Access

As a private club, Royal Montreal does not offer public tee times. Membership is by invitation only, with a multi-year waiting list. The club occasionally opens for charity events and corporate tournaments.