In 1986, Bill MacWilliam and Dave Paterson had a vision to create a truly great private golf course in the Toronto area. They dreamed of creating a club that was built for its members, with no outside tournaments, no tee times, no financial surprises and a club that is strictly focused on the player's enjoyment. A true equity club that cares deeply about ensuring that there is unprecedented value in the annual fees paid by its members, and above all a top class golf facility and a limited membership.
38 years later, the founders have done everything they set out to do and more. St. Andrew's East stands on more than a quarter century of living up to its promises. This commitment being carried out by our management team that puts service of our community ahead of all else.
1986 to the present
In the winter of 1986, founders Bill MacWilliam and David Paterson first walked the land soon to become known as St. Andrew's East Golf & Country Club. The property was purchased within days of the initial sighting. Golf course architect Rene Muylaert was selected and Municipal approvals along with designs were soon in place. With full co-operation of the farm's owner, James Rae, they proceeded to excavate large ponds to help provide additional mounding and reservoirs for the future irrigation system.
Course construction began in earnest in April 1987. Builder Robert Salhani and architect Hiro Nakashima located the new clubhouse on the highest point of land for maximum views of both the golf course and Toronto's skyline. Strategically placing the clubhouse in this location allowed the golf course architect to create four separate starting points including numbers one, six, ten and sixteen. The importance of this configuration fit St. Andrew's number one goal of having a private facility with no starting times required.
On opening day, St. Andrew's fortunately found itself fully subscribed with a waiting list of ten. The official golf course opening began with a ribbon-cutting by David Paterson, Wally Crouter, Mayor Sainsbury, Bill MacWilliam and a Scottish Pipe Band in the spring of 1989.
Rene Muylaert was brought back in to design three new holes. These additions increased the length of St. Andrew's by over three hundred and fifty yards. It was decided that the Club should hire a course architect to outline a plan of possible changes on each of the eighteen holes. This plan would ensure a consistency with any future changes and could be taken on when the monies were available. With the passing of our original designer Rene Muylaert, award winning architect, Doug Carrick and his design group was chosen.
After receiving Board acceptance, work began in early spring of 2006. Each year, St Andrew's completes renovations on another hole according to the master design blueprint. Within a decade, the dedicated management staff at St. Andrew's have upgraded 16 holes to the delight of the member-owners.
Overseen by Doug Carrick, the membership approved its latest course renovation project in 2018. The goals of these renovations are to upgrade its current single line irrigation system to a dual line, refurbish and rationalize existing bunkers, widen and resurface cart paths, as well as, level and widen teeing areas. These renovations are on-going with the completion of the first six holes scheduled to wrap up in the spring of 2023.
