The lowest score is usually the best score when hitting the links. This year, we’re celebrating hitting 100 in a big way at Windsor Park Golf Course. This year marks the municipal golf course’s centennial anniversary.
Growing the game
Golf was on a huge upswing in the early 1920s, just like it is now. After Kildonan Park Golf Course opened in 1921, Winnipeg’s Parks Board looked for options to meet the growing demand for the sport.
It bought a private 9-hole golf course in 1924. Work quickly got underway to convert it to the 18 holes Winnipeg golfers are familiar with today. The Windsor Park Golf Course officially opened on July 30, 1925. In case you are curious, the first ball was hit by Dr. Robert Fletcher. He served as the Chairperson of the Parks Board and also was the Deputy Minister of Education.
In a fitting assignment, the initial clubhouse for Windsor Park was designed by local architect James McDiarmid. He was also on the Parks Board and has been called the ‘Father of Municipal Golf’ in Winnipeg.
The clubhouse burned down four years after opening and a similar structure was built shortly after in the same place.
A scenic slice in the city
A newspaper article about the opening declared ‘the course one of the most interesting around Winnipeg’. It didn’t take long before Windsor Park became as popular as the Kildonan Park Golf Course.
One hundred years later and tee-times are still quickly snatched up at the course. One of the main draws is the scenic views, especially from the 12th hole.
“Windsor Park isn’t just a great course to play a round,” said Ben Fey, General Manager of Golf Services. “It’s also a place to escape to and spend some time in nature along the Seine River.”
A year-round facility
The course isn’t just for golf. It has been used for cross skiing for decades. Since 2000, the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba has operated the Windsor Park Nordic Ski Centre on the site. We previously maintained the trails from as far back as 1978.
Celebrate with us
We’re marking the 100th anniversary of Windsor Park Golf Course with a throwback to 1925. From July 30 to August 4, golfers can tee off on a round of golf for a special rate of $19.25. If the course has special meaning for you, consider picking up some anniversary merchandise at the pro shop. We’re selling golf shirts, t-shirts, sweaters, mugs, and ball markers.
If you’d like to leave a legacy on the course, you can donate towards a new tree or bench on the golf course.
Find out what makes our golf courses more that just a place to play
Ben Fey and Dave Comaskey chat about the history, sustainability initiatives, and year-round use of our golf courses on Our City, Our Podcast. This episode was released in August, 2025.