The 1930's to 1940

In early 1930, the Golf Professional was also the Greens keeper.  It was in that year that the then Professional Mr. James Carmichael became the first to qualify for the Canadian Open and also the Professional Golf Championship, then the presidios "Miller Cup".  The members were indeed proud of their Pro.  During 1931, modern changes began to show up.  Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, steward and stewardess, were provided with upstairs living quarters in the Clubhouse at a rate of $75 dollars per month, and a rug and electric Victrola was purchased from C.W.Kelley and Son to add to the comfort of the lounge.

On the course, Golf was well-played as Mr. Ken Walker made a hole-in-one at the 7th Green, and Dr. Proud got an Eagle on the 4th by holing out a 250 yard Brassie shot.  Not to be outdone by Dr. Proud's skill, Mr. J.H. Newby went forth and got an Eagle 2 on the First Green.  It was in this year that the Professional Carmichael passed away and was replaced by John Porteous. 

Some time during 1934, permission was granted to the City of Guelph to entertain a group of traveling Australian cricketers at the Club.  It was not known for sure if this was the reason, but in this year, the Club took out its first beer and wine license.  The Grounds continued under improvement, and in 1935 for the first time the coconut mats, at each of the Tee boxes, were removed.  A nursery was started, planting 2700 trees and ordering 4000 more to be delivered by the 1st of May.  At the flower garden around the Clubhouse, 48-dozen small plants and 400 tulip bulbs were planted during that fall.

The next year, President G. C. Humphries authorized the destruction of all the past record, except those pertaining to the shareholders and outstanding stock.  However, records of the Annual Meetings were bound and now remain, for the period 1912 through 1948, in the archives of the Guelph Public Library.  

1938 was one of the Club's most successful periods, winning the Tri-County league and the Howitt-Gifford Trophy for the first time since the league started.  The league, which continues to be active today, remains the oldest regular interclub Golf contest in the Western Hemisphere.  The Club successfully defended next year with the help of, one handicapper Thomas Bell, later to become President of The Abitibi Paper Co.  The story has been reported, but not confirmed, that President Tom Bell's V.P. and Controller, Mr. John Palmer was actually born in the living quarters of the old Clubhouse. 

By the end of the first year of the World War II, 18 members were already on Active Service, the Club making them Honourary members until their discharge.  One of those gone to War was Club Professional John Porteous.  At that time Jack Pearson took over, assisted by Frank Robinson, until Frank too went into the Service.  The development of the Golf Course continued and in those first years of the War, sand was placed in all the bunkers, 50 loads of which conveniently came from the Farr farm just across the road from the Club.