George Cumming:

The Dean of Canadian Golf Professionals

Photo Courtesy of Golf Canada Archives

Imagine Alex Trebek asking a final Jeopardy question to a room full of Canuck golfers.  “Who is the most influential and recognized name in Canadian golf history?” There is a very reasonable chance that the room would unanimously write the legendary Stanley Thompson on their answer card. Heck, I too might jot down his name based on his widely regarded designs, larger than life persona and reputation. However, if one does a deeper dive into the grand game’s origins in Canada, it becomes apparent that another name should at least be involved in the conversation. George Cumming is that man.

Golf has formally been in Canada since the Royal Montreal Club formed in 1873. Heavily influenced by Scottish immigrants, the game expanded adding clubs in Quebec, Toronto and Brantford, before the end of that century. It was at the Toronto Golf Club where Scotsman, George Cumming, he of the ripe old age of 21, took the position of Head Professional in 1900. The game in North America was still in its infancy when Cumming arrived. He oversaw the club and original grounds of what is still one of the most revered names in Canadian golf. When he arrived, his expertise was diverse and vast. Having grown up around Glasgow and working as a caddie, club maker and professional, Cumming brought a set of talents not readily seen on this side of the Atlantic. 

Cumming was one of the finest players in the country. He won the Canadian Open in 1905 at his home course and a few weeks later following a 9th place finish in the US Open, he won at historic Brookline. A victory at the 1914 Canadian PGA solidified his reputation as a champion golfer. Cumming was also well known as an ambassador of the game playing in a spate of exhibition matches against some of the world’s best golfers. 

He had a reputation as an exceptional leader at Toronto Golf, both as a manager of the club, but also as a teacher of the game. He had a stable of caddies that became his protegees, many became accomplished players and professionals themselves through Cumming’s tutelage. Karl Keffer and the Murray brothers, Albert and Charlie, all took their lessons learned from Cumming and went on to have exceptional and lengthy careers in the same vein as their mentor. One of his most noted apprentices was Nicol Thompson, older brother to Stanley and later legendary professional at Hamilton.  

Many of Canada’s finest golf professionals, including Cumming, Keffer, The Murray brothers, and Nicol Thompson. [Credit: Golf Canada Archives]

Cumming was also instrumental in the necessary evolution of Toronto Golf. By 1910 the club  had outgrown its downtown location and was seeking a worthy site to relocate the club. As Head Professional Cumming certainly must have played an integral part in this process. Finding the site along the banks of Etobicoke Creek, selecting Harry Colt to design the layout and orchestrating the move of Toronto Golf was a remarkable feat. As one the most prominent names in the sport, Cumming was drawing the attention of newly incorporating clubs during this time in another role. His expertise as a course architect was being contracted and during the period between 1909 to 1922 Cumming added to his already highly regarded stature in the nation’s golf community by newly routing or expanding no fewer than 15 designs. Some of the most historic names in Ontario golf are on that list, including Mississauga, Brantford, Oshawa, Idylwylde, Scarboro and The Summit.  

Cumming forged an architectural firm partnership with his disciple Nicol Thompson in 1919 and they added younger brother Stanley to the letterhead as a partner upon his return from the Great War. This initial attempt at a professional career as a golf architect was short-lived seeing George and Nicol sell the company and return to their work leading two of the premier golf clubs in the nation as their club professionals. It was this decision that set Stanley Thompson upon the world, leading to him becoming one of the most recognized names in the field until his passing in 1953. One could argue that without Cumming, there would have been no Thompson. This is not an attempt to suggest that the exploits of George Cumming surpass those of Stanley Thompson, however it merely points to the amazing contributions Cumming had on golf and the tree of knowledge, skill and wisdom he imparted on so many influential Canadian golfers. .   

George Cumming was deservedly inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1971. The following list of his accomplishments is not the definitive catalogue of all of Cummings golf achievements, but does shed  light on the role he played in the development and advancement of the game in Canada. 

• Head Professional - Toronto Golf Club 1900 - 1950   

• Canadian Open Champion 1905 [as well as 4 second place finishes] 

• Canadian PGA Champion 1914

• Three of his Assistants became Canadian Open Champions

• Contributed to or designed originally: Mississauga, Sarnia, Oakville, Oshawa, Couchiching [Orillia], Summit [Richmond Hill], Rivermead [Ottawa], Idylwylde [Sudbury], St. Thomas [Elgin], North Halton [Georgetown], Scarboro, Windermere [Muskoka]

• Thompson, Cumming and Thompson routed numerous other courses later completed by Stanley Thompson. 

• Vice-President of Canadian PGA at the time of his passing in 1950.

• Canadian Golf Hall of Fame induction 1971. (Click to see his Hall of Fame Member’s Page)