Stouffville ON – Club History - Sleepy Hollow Country Club

The "Legend" of Sleepy Hollow

1954	Jimmy Johnstone Sr. & Bert Turcotte walked the full 100 acre farm on which Sleepy Hollow now stands and later that year the land is purchased for the purpose of building a golf course.
1959	The course opens for play with Fred Swarbrick as the Head Pro.
1960	The course is named and officially opened for its first full year of golf. The old farmhouse is used as a Change House and Pro Shop.
1961	New Clubhouse is built and opens in September of that year. The original clubhouse was very rustic with solid wood construction, high cathedral ceilings in the dining room and a stone fireplace where the lounge is now located. A 35 acre strip of land is purchased along north side of the club.
1963	Nines are reversed to the layout the club now enjoys.
1967	The Par 3 12^th hole is lengthened to the present par 4 and the 13^th hole is relocated onto added property.
1968	Swimming Pool and Snack Bar are constructed.
1970	Liquor License is secured.
1971	First formal lease commences at $45,000 per annum over five years. Mike Schurmann becomes Head Pro.
1972	December 16^th at 2 a.m. the clubhouse is completely destroyed by fire along with all the club records.
1973	Members and ownership band together to build a new clubhouse at a cost of $320,000. The new clubhouse reopens on November 17^th of this year. This year is known as the second “Brown Bag Era” where members brought their own picnic lunches to feast on under the trees and the pond on the 10^th hole.
1976	Turf Building is constructed.
1977	Dave Wood becomes Head Pro.
1978	Parking lot is paved.
1983	Development of lots surrounding the course, creating the Estates of Sleepy Hollow residential community.
1989	Bob Kennedy becomes Head Pro.
1990	Hans Marcus purchases Sleepy Hollow Country Club.
1991	Gavin Robertson becomes Head Pro.
1993	Larry MacKenzie becomes Head Pro.
1996	Gary Betts becomes Head Pro.
1997	Construction and remodeling begins on the practice facilities including a new putting green, chipping green and sand trap.
1999	Renovation of the 16th hole.
2002	Renowned local architect, Robert Heaslip is hired to redesign the 1^st and 5^th holes, as well as a pond expansion and bunker addition on the 11th.
2004	Robert Heaslip is brought in to expand tees and the pond on th 6^th hole and helped create the 19^th hole.
2009	Internal Clubhouse renovation occurs including the dining room and upstairs washrooms.
2010	Sleepy Celebrates its 50^th Anniversary!
2015	Locker room washrooms undego full renovation.
2016	Extensive bunker renovation and restoration of the entire course commences.
2018 2019	Benett Hallas becomes only the 8th Head Professional in the club's history. Gordon Chilton is appointed as the Head Professional

50 Years of Growth

The summer of 2010 marked our clubs 50th. season. Celebrations, special events and great memories were created as we enjoyed this milestone.

One of the highlights was a June ceremony attended by over 300 club members, special guests and dignitaries. Flags were unveiled, placques were commissioned and a wonderful history of our club was authored by Canadian Golf historian Bill MacDonald.

Here’s what some of our guests said about Sleepy Hollow:

Steve Carrol Royal Canadian Golf Association “….the RCGA is thrilled to celebrate 50 years of achievement and success. We wish you continued prosperity”	Jeff Dykeman Canadian PGA “….I was invited to play this morning by club member John Simmonds. I went to the website and reviewed the score card proceeded to start licking my chops…six hours later here I am licking my wounds!”	Heather Howell Ontario PGA “ Sleepy Hollow has been a loyal supporter of the Ontario PGA and most recently hosted the Senior Summer Championship and the Assistants Summer Championship…….Sleepy is a long time favourite of many of our area professionals.	Dave Mills Golf Association of Ontario “I am asked to attend many of these types of functions, however it is evident that the attendance today and the enthusiasm for this celebration shows the members here really love their golf course and facility”
Mayor Wayne Emmerson Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville “it is always a pleasure to come to Sleepy Hollow. As a matter of fact I caddied here 40 some years ago. This club provided many jobs for us kids and it still does. You could not find a better organization. The course has gotten tougher and people talk about how courteous and professional the staff here are….professional and friendly”	Mr. Hans Marcus President Sleepy Hollow Country Club “ it is an honor to have everyone here to share this moment with us. I must thank the members for their compassion and commitment and to our employees for their loyalty and dedication. No wonder so many refer to Sleepy Hollow as the little gem in this part of Southern Ontario”	Gary Betts Head Professional Sleepy Hollow “today we not only celebrate our history, we add to it. And trust that the generations who follow us will have some insight into the legacy that we’ve established and that they in turn will respect this wonderful place and this great game”