From the Archives

Wilf Homenuik

Born into a family of golfers, Wilf Homenuik was one of seven brothers, all of whom took to the links at one point in their lives. The Kamsack, Saskatchewan native had a successful international career, earning eight titles from 1965 to 1978, including two Caribbean Tour titles in 1996 and 1968. His provincial record is nothing to gawk at either, Homenuik has won 11 Provincial championships within Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. He also played for Canada at the World Cup in 1965, 1971 and 1974, with other noted Canadian’s such as George Knudson, Ben Kern and Moe Norman. Homenuik’s career has been immortalized in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame, and is an honoured member of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame.

Gail Harvey Moore

At the age of 16, Gail Harvey Moore won the first of three consecutive junior titles in 1958. This would propel her career as one of Canada’s best Women golfers. Moore was profiled in 21 provincial teams; 12 of which she played for the province of British Columbia, where she moved to after marrying her husband in 1966. Her career was highlighted by capturing the 1970 Canadian Ladies’ Open title, which she won against fellow hall of famer Marlene Stewart Streit. She was a part of the victorious Canadian team at the 1979 Commonwealth games; many believe that this was her most outstanding achievement. Moore was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1998, five years after her untimely death.

Allan George Balding

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Al Balding was the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event in the United States, which was at the 1955 Mayfair Open. Teamed with George Knudson in the 1968 World Cup, Balding was the individual low-scorer which helped Canada win the prestigious team event. He was plagued with muscular problems early in his career that limited his golfing activities. Balding was chosen as the Ontario Athlete of the Year in 1955 and 1957, and was elected to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1968. He has won the Miller trophy on four different occasions from 1952 to 1961. He returned to professional golf for a brief stint in 2000 where he won the CPGA Senior Championship.

John B. Steel

Born in New Milne, Scotland, John B. Steel started his career as a carpenter and caretaker at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg. Steel was an ambitious and passionate man, who was a force behind the founding of the Canadian Golf Superintendent Association (CGSA) and was elected as the first president. When Steel was propelled into the role of greenskeeper, he wanted to make up his lack of education on this subject by reading books and attending seminars in Canada and United States. Steel was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1998 and was one of the first class of inductees of the newly formed Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.

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All photos courtesy of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.