Golf
History of the Game
Golf's Early History
What do you think makes the game of golf unique? It involves striking a ball with a club, cross country, into a hole. No other early club and ball game had these three essential elements of golf.
Many countries have claimed the origins of golf. The Chinese and the Dutch have both claimed to have created the game of golf. The Dutch had a courtyard club and ball game and another game played on ice where the ball was propelled towards a post. Meanwhile, centuries ago, the Chinese played a game using equipment remarkably similar to golf clubs, apparently to hit a ball into a hole in courtyards. However, it is only in Scotland that the three essential elements of golf were met.
The game of golf can be traced to Scotland. In 1457, parliament banned the game so that more time would be spent on archery practice, which was necessary for Scotland’s defence at the time. Following the 1501 repeal of the ban, the game prospered. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was the world’s first golf club, organized in 1744.
Bits and Pieces of Brantford's History on Relief – Brantford During the 1930's
By Gary Muir
Sports, particularly baseball, continued to be popular during the depression. Individual sports like tennis and golf had their following, but it was the baseball teams that aroused most interest among Brantford citizens. During the 30’s several championships were won by Brantford baseball teams. The Red Sox, Patterson Pats, Universal Cooler, and Terrace Hill Alerts teams all won at least one Ontario title in hardball or softball during this period, and the Pats and Alerts won their titles for two consecutive years. Brantford was also subject to the fads and trends that were going the rounds in the 30's. Miniature golf arrived with a rush in 1930, but by late 1931 was on the wane here as people just could not afford to play. Cooking schools at the Capitol theatre, sponsored by The Expositor, with the proceeds going to city relief, were popular. Listening to the radio (CKPC went on the air in 1933, replacing 10BQ), and particularly to boxing, attracted many Brantfordites. The manager of the local Hydro office reported that just about every radio in Brantford was tuned in to the 1936 Louis - Schmelling fight. Chain letters appeared in abundance, until the local post office threatened to take action. Donkey baseball arrived in Brantford, with a donkey by the name of Mae West being the featured attraction. The "knock knock" craze also went the rounds. It was tagged as a "radio epidemic.” An example - and one will suffice - would be "Knock Knock" "Who's there?" "Cicero" "Cicero Who?" "Cicero I sit in?" During the 30's there were several dance steps that were popular, but two that were being done by the students at the Brantford Collegiate as the decade drew to a close were "The Lambeth Walk" and "The Big Apple.” Some things never really change.
Article about Arrowdale from the Canadian Golfer Magazine 1930.
This was the first golf magazine launched in the country in 1915 by Ralph H. Reville a member of the Brant Golf and Country club. This shows how relevant golf was in the history of Brantford and the country.
The Canadian Golfer:
Is the most prolific magazine about golf in Canadian history. It was published monthly (12 issues a year), with over 100 pages in a single issue.
Was started during the first World War (May 1915), it continued to publish successfully at this rate for 20 years.
There were about 30,000 golfers in Canada during the war and about 115 clubs in existence.
Brought international recognition to Canadian golf with readers from around the world.
Each issue carried articles on a variety of subjects, including greenskeeping, the rules of the game, the organization of new clubs, the construction of new courses, provincial and national championships and the annual meetings of clubs.
RESULTS: Walking during a golf game was a practical and safe form of physical activity with high adherence.
It significantly increased aerobic performance and trunk muscle endurance...In addition, regular walking favorably affected body composition, including reductions in weight of 1.4 kg...in waist circumference of 2.2 cm...and in abdominal skin fold thickness of 2.2 cm...Golfers also had significantly greater increases in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and in the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol.’