Conservation at Erie Shores Golf Course in 1994

By C. Scott Holland

Long before the modern day conservation movement, Robert T. Gray, the original pro and designer at Erie Shores Golf Course, initiated a simple program. Through necessity, Gray planted many flowers and trees throughout the course to enhance its natural beauty, as well as define each hole. Many of the trees planted were expected to have a lifetime of approximately 75 years.

As the trees and course both aged, those first trees grew quickly and provided shade, and their purpose of defining the holes was evident. They simultaneously absorbed plenty of water and prevented the erosion of the uppermost layer of soil.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, many of those trees became inflicted by diseases like Dutch Elm disease. Replacing them was frequent and started a trend whereby the course would plant new trees.

After the tornado of a decade ago, it was an integral part of revitalizing the course and one that many of the members took part in.

In May 1994 the first purple martin birdhouse put up on the Erie Shores golf course is viewed by, left to right, Dave Cours, Jim Sudds, John Newland and Rick Harwood.

In the past, local nurseries would provide the course with seedlings or young trees, but eventually the courses directors and superintendents decided to start their own tree and sod farm. The move would save the club thousands of dollars annually.

Although unknown to the directors, one purple martin birdhouse erected in the clubhouse parking lot during the 1940s had a tremendous effect. It was taken down after a few years and repositioned in the centre of the lot. In 1971, the martin houses would become a vital part of the entire course.

Don Newland of Newland’s Flowers donated a purple martin house to be put up on the course and soon members wanted more of them erected. With the course nestled along the cozy confines of Lake Erie and not far from Point Pelee National Park, it was no surprise that the tree-laden course would become a habitat for migratory birds.

Past superintendent Dave Cours was the one who started an environmental program and it was eagerly adopted and continues to thrive today.