16 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 27, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com GLEN ABBEY Discover the legendary Glen Abbey Situated in the appropriately named, neighbourhood of Glen Abbey, the legendary golf Course Glen Abbey has basked in fame since it was methodically mapped out by golf great Jack Nicklaus in the mid '70s. Rated by Ontario Golf magazine as one of Ontario's top 10 courses, the Abbey also scores 21st on Score Golf's list of Canada's top 100. Playing host to the Bell Canadian Open consistently for two decades, the golf hotspot also holds the honour of witnessing the legendary Tiger Woods "Shot of 2000" when he won the Open with a single stroke. The Abbey is a Canadian favourite in golf circles. It's a challenging course set on an expanse of beautiful parkland and it's amazingly cooperative from its shorter tees, luring experts and warming up first-timers alike. "It was the first course Nicklaus created on his own and it was designed to be spectator friendly and of championship appeal," says Karen Hewson, director of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame nestled in Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) headquarters on Abbey grounds. Constructed in 1937, Abbey's stone manor evolved from the original estate residence of wealthy mining engineer Andre Dorfman. Dubbed RayDor, the mansion was the centrepiece of four farms Dorfman purchased along Sixteen Mile Creek. Overlooking the valley, the home was lavished with elaborate gardens and stables. Complementing the building were forget-me-not features such as cathedral ceilings, leaded glass windows and a lounge fashioned after a famous French ocean liner. The Abbey's stately atmosphere was enhanced by peaceful surroundings used to their potential -- Dorfman sold his estate to the Jesuits for a moderate price, after which the Loyola Retreat was established and the home transformed into a meeting place. Loyal to their dream of seeing the property converted for community purposes, the Jesuits flatly refused to sell for commercial reasons, turning down many a hefty offer. A group of seven local residents came up with the right plan. Clearstream Developments Limited was born, along with its accepted proposal of building the nonprofit Upper Canada Country Club. "It even had an Olympic-sized pool," offers Hewson. Original plans for the 334-acre plot involved an 18-hole golf course, curling rink, sunbathing area and tennis courts, plus a clubhouse in the Dorfman mansion. Of these plans, the 18-holes and clubhouse were realized. This original Glen Abbey was built on the eastern section of the property and operated there until the early `70s. HOME FOR THE OPEN Rod McIsacc, chief executive officer of Great Northern Capital, felt spectators at most Canadian Opens needed a better view of play, the players and the course itself. In 1974, an agreement between Capital and the RCGA had the developer redesign the club, and the association hold the Canadian Open there permanently. The course was also changed with the average golfer in mind. With the exception of 1980 and 1997, the Abbey hosted the Bell Canadian Open 23 times from 1977 to 2000, and again in 2004. After leasing its on-site headquarters from 1975 on, the RCGA purchased the course in 1981 for $3 million. THE 2008 CANADIAN OPEN Glen Abbey has again been selected as the site for the 2008 Canadian Open. "We are delighted to return the Canadian Open to the legendary Glen Abbey, one of the most spectatorfriendly golf courses in the world," RCGA executive director Stephen Ross said in a statement. "Our national championship is steeped in tradition and Glen Abbey has been the stage for many memorable moments in Canadian Open lore." EEKS 2 W LY! $ ON DS E EN 07 SAL 10/ NOV. 10 00 $ 25 00 off off Ein Stein Brew House 905-825-2337 one batch of wine or beer two batches of wine or beer Prepared by you on site. .Valid only with coupon until Nov. 10/07. Not valid with any other offer. Voted Best Beer & Wine Making Facility in Oakville for 10 years! Give the Gift of Wine, Great for entertaining! We also carry Gifts for the Wine Lover & Gift Certificates 481 North Service Rd. (between Dorval & 4th Line) 905.825.BEER(2337) A trusted name in Oakville since 1992 MON.CLOSED, TUES.-FRI. 12-8, SAT. 9-5, SUN. 11-3