Perth Golf Course – Caivan Development

There have been several local articles about this story. I've been following it. We don't live in the town (pop. 6469, in 2021), we live in a different rural township, BTW. The golf club is a small, very old course. I spent hours on the golf course yesterday <= this was 2014 when I took photos of the golf tournament fundraiser. I did this for 2013, as well: Happy times on the golf course! They state that they are the oldest permanent golf course in Canada (since 1890).

 Caivan has invested more than $12 million in this proosed development. Caivan has been appearing before Perth Council seeking the proper permissions. You can see the 18 holes of the golf course, with the town of Perth being where the red pin sits. The golf course will go to a 9-hole course. The golf course didn't do well during COVID. 

The golf course sits on the edge of a wetland.

They are talking about doing a two-lane redo of the bridge on Peter St., with a walking path, or a new bridge crossing the Tay River (see below). When you think of 2000 -  3000 people living here, and only one exit road, that would be tricky. In an opinion piece, Ramsey Hart explained that Perth is like the rest of the province, the town is desperate for affordable housing, especially for the vulnerable. He is the ED for The Table, our local food bank. I agree with him. But I am not a Perth resident, and I don't really have a say. I am interested in the process. 

This is the Peter St. bridge leading to the golf course.
It is the only access point.

I am curious about infrastructure. The Perth town plan states its goal:

"Policy 1.2.1 To provide for a compact and energy efficient land use pattern that optimizes the use of available infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, waste disposal) and public service facilities (schools, hospitals, recreation and cultural facilities, fire and police) and which utilizes densities and development standards which are cost effective."

The proposal [WSP has produced a proposal report]: 

"Section 8.1.4.2 – Development Concept states that: ... “The New Residential Area is anticipated to meet the mid to long-term growth and settlement needs of the Town...  Development may only proceed where the necessary urban infrastructure can be provided and adequate capacity is available, notably municipal (piped) water and sanitary sewer. "

On p. 24, they write about Phase 1, which includes discharging treated stormwater into Grants Creek Provincially Significant Wetland. "An Integrated Hydrological Impact Assessment will be completed to determine how the wetland may be altered by the discharge of treated stormwater into it. " The Environment Ministry, RVCA, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, will monitor it.

I wonder if there are reports of spring flooding? The golf course is on the edge of Perth, RVCA provides data on watersheds. 

This area, the golf course (upper right), is part of Grant's Creek watershed.

Grant's Creek watershed

 This RVCA subwatershed report falls outside the town boundary, but the Tay River (35 km) connects theses two watershed areas. 

Tay River subwatershed

Perth is contemplating a $300,000 upgrade to the water tower. Probably a good idea considering these circumstances. That has to be done in June or September, the shoulder seasons, as the town water has to shut down during the process. 

"A second water tower was discussed last year by council. Machan said this will be required when a large residential or commercial development takes place that requires additional flow."

We shall see what they decide! 

UPDATE: it's still before the OLT.

I spent hours on the golf course yesterday

Here we are: selfie!

I did spend hours there, but I do not golf.
I was asked to take team photos for all the participants in the annual Cancer Fundraising Golf Tournie at Perth Golf Course on June 7th, 2014. For fun, I turned on my GPS as my buddy, Bob, chauffeured me around the course. He knows the course well. He was my man last year, too.

Aren't they marvellous sports?!

We had a list of teams, and I checked them off as we visited and I photographed each one.
The cool thing about this is that the teams are all sent out at once, for a 1:00 p.m. tee-off time, each cart has the name of the pair riding in it, each pair of teams starts at the same home. Teams 1A and 1B, for example. They all rotate clockwise to the next hole.

With the miracle of technology, and my Garmin, I can match the photos to where they were taken. My blog buddy, Yogi, blogged about geocaching. I never did manage to catch onto it, but I did buy a GPS to help me navigate my way through our frozen wetland.


 There was a putting challenge and a silent auction. The wine was garnering a lot of attention! There were two marshalls, my driver and another man. A band was playing whilst people had lunch and chatted.

I Googled Golf Team Photos, and couldn't find any great ideas for setting up the teams. One team captain insisted that they HAD TO BE UNDER A TREE. It must have been tradition! The ladies around the cherry-red car were the free spirits, and came up with a fun pose.
After I finished the team photos, I put them on my memory stick, and took them to our local grocery store, Barnabe's, where they printed a photo for each member of the team, to be ready for their dinner at the club. It was quite a rush. There were four Barnabe's playing today!
I also came across sponsor signs for many of the businesses we have used in town, land surveyors, Perth Vet Clinic. Hooray for small towns!


Other than the rush at the end, it was lovely driving around on this very old course. The oldest private golf club, in the heart of Perth, ON. The Tay River runs through it, as well as many birds, bees and geese.

Bob knew everyone!

What a bumpy ride!

A bumpy ride from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
A bumpy ride and I cannot help but laugh. Dear BOB escorted me around the Perth Golf COurse in order for me to take photos of the 27 teams. Barnabe's prints each participant a copy, which is very nice memento for participants. Some have played in this tournament for 15 years!

While people were finding their carts, lunch and team mates, there was music!
The Saints and Sinners are some of the members of the Perth Citizen's band.
Band plays on from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
The Saints and Sinners
Also, there was a putting contest!
 
Putting contest from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Putting contest at the fundraiser!

Happy times on the golf course!

I went to the golf course. I didn't golf. I took photos. What a hoot.

They lined up 36 golf carts and they all took off at the same time, with each team of 4 going to a designated hole and then the fun began.

It was held at the Perth Golf Course, in Perth, Ontario. Apparently the oldest in Canada!

The Perth Golf Course began its treck through golfing history in 1890. Over the years the course grew and matured. Today Perth Golf Course is an 18 hole premium golf facility, with the original holes still in play.The Perth Golf Course is nestled beside the beautiful Tay River and offers 18 scenic holes of challenging golf as well as a fully functional clubhouse including a pro shop, spike lounge and dining facilities.

It was a fundraiser for the Cancer Society. I was happy to donate my time.

There is a large group of volunteers who organise it.

There was food and drink as participants got fueled up for the afternoon. They began at noon.

Some participants told me they have played this tournament for 15 years!

It took 3 1/2 hours to go to each hole and photograph each team.

Ready, and loaded!

My chauffeur was Bob. He knows the course well and we avoided getting bopped by a ball.

Found it!

Musicians played whilst teams got organised

Silence in the crowd

Many volunteers helped make it so!

The cheering section was preoccupied!

Golf course photos

Here are all the photos I took, in a slide show. I've chosen a select few here.

Ready, set, go, golf fundraiser!

Golf Tournie from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
I took photos of the tournament in Perth, Ontario.
I did a wee video of the beginning, with all the teams peeling off to their respective starting holes!
A day that ended in thunderstorms, it was a good day to golf. It was a fundraiser for the cancer society.

Golf tournament team photos!