University of Guelph Library
The Stanley Thompson Society Fund
The Library and the Stanley Thompson Society are working together to archive, restore and preserve materials that celebrate the life and works of noted golf architect Stanley Thompson.
His plans, notes, contracts, photos, memorabilia, etc. collected to date and in the future will be housed in the Library's Archives and Special Collections, as part of the Centre for Canadian Landscape Architecture Archives.
The Stanley Thompson Society and other benefactors are currently raising funds for an endowment that will become part of the agreement. It will ensure preservation and retention of archived materials in perpetuity.
Thompson golf courses, relations and friends who may come across Thompson items of note are encouraged to contact the Stanley Thompson Society to discuss restoration, preservation and archiving at the University as part of the collection.
Stanley Thompson (1893-1953) was one of the world's leading golf course architects, renowned for this work from the 1920s to the early 1950s. Born and raised in the Toronto area, he grew to love golf, as did his four brothers — Nicol, Frank, Matt, and Bill.
After high school, Thompson took courses at the OAC before enlisting in the Canadian army during World War II, during which he reached the rank of lieutenant. After the war, he embarked upon the business side of golf in a partnership that offered landscaping of courses and contracting services. By 1921 Thompson had formed his own company with brother Frank and OAC graduate Ken Welton and began a career as a landscape golf architect.
Thompson designed, remodeled or constructed more than 140 golf courses in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and South America. The vast majority of his work took place in Canada, including Capilano in Vancouver; Jasper and Banff in Alberta; Green Gables at Cavendish, PEI; Highlands in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Seigniory and Lachute in Quebec; and St. George's in Toronto.
Thompson was a founding member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1947 and served as vice-president during its inaugural year. In 1980, he was posthumously elected to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
After 1940, Thompson and his family owned and managed the Cutten Fields Golf Club (Cutten Club) in Guelph. He also had a home and office there named Dormie House.
The Stanley Thompson Society was founded in 1998 to research, record, and publicize his remarkable life and works.
Learn more about endowments and other ways to give to the Library.