Bridgewater thankful for ‘fantastic’ members over the last 100 years

Bridgewater Country Club has seen a lot of changes in its 100 years of existence, on many occasions having to adapt to border issues and other situations in the world.

In fact, the course was established in 1925 as Erie Downs by a group of American businessmen who wanted to play golf but not be confined to the rules of Prohibition in the U.S.

One event that had a significant impact on the course’s operations was the terrorist attacks on 9/11, leading to strict border protocols and Bridgewater’s members, 85 per cent Americans at that time, not returning.

This is when a shift occurred to semi-private, the course being open to members but also the public.

In 2020, COVID-19 shut things down for a while, but then the sport seemed to flourish later in the pandemic, said Rocco D’Amelio, head pro at the course for the last 45 years.

“The only business it did help apparently was golf,” D’Amelio told Fort Erie Radio in an interview on Monday.

After new owners took over in 2021, Bridgewater is private again and its membership is between 10 and 15 per cent American.

The rest are people from Fort Erie and elsewhere in the region, including many golfers who have moved to the area from the Toronto and Hamilton areas, said D’Amelio, adding there is currently a waiting list for people who wish to become members.

A private function will be held on July 12 to celebrate the course’s centennial milestone.

Bridgewater was designed by well-known golf course architect Stanley Thompson.

The course has aimed to “stay true” to his design over the years, said D’Amelio.

Characteristics indicating it is a Stanley Thompson course include elevated greens, and tees being set to the right.

It’s also good advice to put your approach “below the hole,” because “you’re in trouble,” if you don’t, said D’Amelio, referring to the slope of some of the greens.

D’Amelio said staff and owners at the course appreciate the “fantastic” members.

“We can’t say enough about them,” he said.

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