Hi! My name is Cec Harnden, owner of Westbrook Golf Club and Driving Range. I'd like to take you on a brief history tour of our operation, which begins in the early 60's.

Walter Genge, a factory worker at the local Dupont plant and a part-time farmer, decided to build a golf course on a 100 acre portion of his land. He correctly identified golf as a growing sport and with very limited knowledge of the game and an even more limited amount of cash, he managed to build a short nine-hole course that quickly became popular. In the early 70's, Walter built an additional nine holes, which finally established his facility in the growing golf community. The course at that time was quite short at around 5200 yards and a very generous self-rated par of 70. It was called Martin Downs, named after the Purple Martin, a bird renowned for its insect-eating appetite. It was Walter's idea to have Martin bird houses located at every tee and green to help control these pests, particularly during the mosquito and black fly season.

The business grew steadily, but as nature would have it, so did Walter's ageIn 1983, I became aware of his plan to sell the business by noticing a one-line ad in a 'green-thumb' magazine. Having lived in the Kingston, Ontario area as a young boy, I was immediately intrigued and purchased the business in February, 1984.

The course had never been handicap-rated by the Ontario Golf Association, so our very first task was to toughen-up the layout with added length and more hazards, such as trees, bunkers and bringing a bisecting creek more into play. This resulted in a debatable rating of 65, but the very rating of the course resulted in a considerable increase in membership and overall interest. In 1985, the old farmhouse was renovated, and we opened the season that year with a liquor-licensed dining lounge, serving delicious snacks and meals. Westbrook Golf Club was now a factor in the community and a popular location for groups and tournaments.

Immediately after the change in ownership, the name of the course became Westbrook because it sounded like a good name for the type of business and was situated in the tiny Kingston suburb of Westbrook.

In 1994, a large forested area of the back 9 was cleared and several hundred yards were added to our overall length. In 1995, another 100 acres of adjacent land was purchased and we managed to get it re-zoned for golf purposes.

By this time, we were also operating the area's only Par 3 golf course and we knew it would soon close to make room for a sub-division. It was time for Westbrook to bring in the earth-movers!

First off, we designed a challenging Par 3 course using much of the existing old front nine with a few added new tees and greens. At the same time, and all taking place with the original course in play, we built a much longer front nine, featuring more bunkers, added length, full irrigation, and creeks and ponds ominously located at curse-encouraging yardages.

While par from the white tees remained pretty much the same, the new yardage off the blue tees increased to over 6,000 yards, a closer testament to the course's true challenge. Westbrook's new 27-hole facility became an instant hit, providing a real test for the good golfer as well as a well-matured course for those seeking the fun and pleasure to be found in Par 3 golf.

My excellent, dedicated staff works hard to provide the best conditions which are always offered at very competitive rates.

The newest of new news happened in July, 1999, when we opened our new Driving Range located right next door to the golf course. At the busiest of times, we can handle almost 60 golfers at once, all aiming at very visible target greens located as far as 300 honest-to-god yards away.

We keep 20 sheltered driving bays open all year by enclosing them in a sheltered building. Each bay has its own gas powered heater, beaming down almost 40,000 BTU's of warmth for each player!

This first-class practice area attracts golfers from miles around, anxious to keep their swing tuned up throughout the year, get some practice in before that trip down south, or try out a new club that's bound to put a lower handicap number next to their name.

So - all that's fine and dandy, but what's in store for Westbrook Golf Club in the future? Whatever it is, it'll be the result of good planning by our staff. How soon it happens will be determined by our continued strong business growth. Stay tuned ... and in the meantime, thanks to everyone for Westbrook's fabulous first 22 years.

It's been a pleasure!

Cec Harnden,
President