History
On March 26,1964 authorized representatives of golf clubs met in Gander and decided that a Newfoundland Golf Association should be formed. These were the Bally Haly Golf and Country Club in St. John’s, The Grand Falls Golf Club in Grand Falls, and The Blomindon Golf And Country Club in Corner Brook. It was further unanimously decided that the association apply for membership in the Royal Canadian Golf Association. At a board of governors meeting on July 31st, The N.G.A. was accepted as a member by the R.C.G.A.
The biggest golf tournament in Newfoundland history took place with 69 golfers (male) from three centers on the island, teeing off in the first annual Newfoundland Amateur Golf Championship at Bally Haly Golf and Country Club in St. John’s. The entrance fee to get this initial tournament off the ground was $5.00. It was also decided at this time to hold the Amateur, Senior and Junior championships co-currently.
It proved to be a dramatic climax for the first annual Newfoundland Golf Championship and Dr. Duncan Rice was not going to keep an anxious gallery waiting. The veteran and Bally Haly’s captain eliminated young Bill Morrissey and the stylist, Jim Sterling on Sunday afternoon.
| PLAYER | GROSS |
HANDICAP |
NET |
| Dr.Duncan Rice | 314 |
8 |
282 |
| Jim Sterling | 314 |
5 |
294 |
| Bill Morrissey | 314 |
10 |
274 |
| Don Dooley | 317 |
10 |
277 |
| Doug Brown | 318 |
9 |
282 |
| Jack Renouf | 327 |
7 |
299 |
| Len Sinclaire | 328 |
11 |
284 |
| Ray Halley | 328 |
11 |
284 |
The Newfoundland Golf Association was changed to Newfoundland And Labrador Golf Association (NLGA) in 1985. The NLGA host all the provincial tournaments and hold their annual meeting in October. The NLGA is also responsible to send our winning teams to National Tournaments to represent our province.
The first NFLD Men’s golf team to travel and compete in the Willingdon Cup held in Saskatoon in August 1964, were Dr. Duncan Rice, Bill Morrissey, Jim Sterling, and Don Dooley.
In 1998, The Hall Of Fame was started (follow link above) and applications may be obtained from your club or by contacting Gerry Angel Jr.