Friday is the last day for citizens to complete a City of Hamilton survey that will help inform the future of the publicly owned Chedoke Civic Golf Course — a facility local golfers describe as an affordable and accessible alternative to pricey private clubs.
The property, tucked beside the Niagara Escarpment between Dundurn Street and Highway 403 in a central part of the municipality’s urban area, contains two 18-hole golf courses, Martin and Beddoe. The Martin course has been in operation for more than 100 years.
Green fees run between $45 and $68, rates lower than most courses in the area, with discounts for seniors and youth.
“The city is exploring a range of feasible future uses for these lands beyond golf as a primary use, in response to several factors including evolving community needs, climate resilience objectives, change in the discourse around the way municipal golf course lands are used and growing demand for accessible green and recreational spaces,” the survey says.
“Much of the infrastructure on the site is aging and in need of upgrade. Before investing in those upgrades, this study will help ensure that the city is making investments to support the long-term future of the site.”
Johnathan Vandriel, the city’s senior project manager for parks operations, says council initiated the review at a November 2024 meeting, where it asked staff to assess how the land could improve equitable access to greenspace, support natural area restoration and biodiversity, enhance storm water management and explore uses such as community agriculture.
“The motion additionally stated that the lands remain publicly owned in perpetuity,” Vandriel said in a statement emailed to CBC Hamilton. “Public engagement is a vital part of the study. We look forward to reviewing the survey results and reporting back to council on what we have heard, while continuing to provide opportunities for the community to engage.”
‘For people of all ages’
Golfer Dan Medakovic started an online petition to preserve the golf course last week.
“It is not just a field of greens; it’s a place where friendships are forged, where local heritage is cherished, and where the game of golf flourishes for people of all ages,” the petition says.
“This move not only jeopardizes our access to affordable recreational golf, but also risks eroding a significant piece of the city’s history,” it continues. “Once taken away, you can be sure they will never build another golf course in the city.”
The sun sets as people golf at the Chedoke Golf Club. The city is asking residents to help determine the future of the municipally owned facility. (Submitted by Dan Medakovic)
It has now been signed by more than 1,800 people.
Medakovic told CBC Hamilton that while his petition focuses on the Martin course, his aim is to protect both courses at Chedoke. He had formed the impression the city was more likely to shut Martin down because it is better suited than Beddoe to be a public park, he said.
A walking trail already traverses the course, and golfers, dog-walkers, cyclists and others already co-exist well there, he said. Medakovic also took issue with the survey’s methodology, saying it appears to push users toward selecting a new use for the land.
‘Sustained demand’ for golf likely
“The demographic outlook remains favourable for sustained demand” for golf in Hamilton, reads a city report from 2024, citing favourable population and income levels.
While more parkland is needed, neither of the city’s golf courses — Chedoke or King’s Forest, in the east end — are located within the “targeted parkland acquisition areas,” the report says.
An appendix attached to the report shows that after several years of losing money, Chedoke was profitable between 2020 and 2023, the last year studied. King’s Forest, often touted as a higher-end golf course, lost money two of those four years. In 2023, people played 27,872 rounds of golf at Beddoe, 26,396 rounds at Martin and 35,986 rounds at King’s Forest, it shows.
As a regular Chedoke golfer, Medakovic says there are opportunities to make money at the course that aren’t being maximized, particularly food and beverage sales. The snack shack is often closed and it’s rare to see the beer cart in operation, he said.
“It’s really hard to get food and beverages at these courses,” he said.
Ward 1 council candidates weigh in
The course’s future came up on the municipal election campaign trail, with Ward 1 candidates asked how they see the course’s future.
Mark Powell said while “tradition doesn’t make it right to maintain that tradition over and over and over again,” in his view, the “golf course should remain a golf course.”
The city could “introduce a little public park down by Aberdeen,” he suggested.
Maureen Wilson, the current councillor, said the course needs repairs to its clubhouse, its irrigation system and a bridge over a creek. She also said city staff have already been directed to look at ways the course can absorb more rainwater to reduce runoff into Cootes Paradise.
Nathan Savelli said he was concerned to learn the city has been studying the course’s future since 2006 but has taken little action. He said the space could accommodate golf as well as some of the other proposed uses. “I don’t think it needs to be one or the other,” he said.