Stanley Thompson

After the removal of the tree on #16 I wanted to give the membership some history of the club and the evolution of a golf course. More information on Stanley Thompson and notice the origianl sketch of the 9th green and the clubhouse location.

Stanley Thompson was a world renowned architecht and was Canada's most prolific golf course architecht. He re-designed the original 9 holes in the 1950's and LTCC is a great portrayal of his use of terrain.


Here is a picture of the 15th green in 2005. The bunkers were removed due to drainage issues and the green had become smaller due to the invention of the riding greensmower. The riding greensmower could not make the tight turns necessary to maintain sharp corners on greens. This resulted in the greens contours becoming rounded.



This picture was taken in the summer of 2011. Notice the green expansions and the detailed corners increasing the size of the putting surface. These were the original contour lines designed by Stanley Thompson. Golf courses are ever being changed by many different factors and I believe we need to maintain the property as close to the original design as possible.

16th Approach Shot 2005 - Picture taken from left side of fairway 120 yards out.

Stanley Thompson himself summarizes his design philosophy by saying, "The most successful course is one that will test the skill of the most advanced golfer without discouraging the duffer while adding to the enjoyment of both.”

Stanley Thompson in About Golf Courses Their Construction and Up-Keep;1923

Next Month will give some history of the new 9 Harry Bowers(1991) and Scott Witter (1998)

#16 Beech Tree - Removal

The tree in front of #16 has been removed. This has been a very controversial tree for myself due to it's affect on the playability of the hole. The tree was analyzed by our local golf course architecht last year and he came to the conclusion the tree was not part of the original intent or design of the hole. The mounding in front of the green was the original intent by creating a visual obstruction. The tree was also analyzed by an arborist and the tree was dubbed a hazard and at risk of falling. This was confirmed during the tree removal process.



All Beech Trees are at risk of Beech Bark Disease. A condition, which begins with an infestation from an insect called the Beech Scale. The infection of the scale insect leaves a pre-disposed risk of an infection by Nectria fungi that will destroy the heartwood of the tree. This destruction of the heartwood increases the risk of falling limbs or catastrophic loss due to the weakened condition. These symptoms were found on 75% of affected limbs and severe basal rot. It was not a question of if the tree will fall, but when.