The BC Golf Museum has archives and exhibits to fascinate any avid golfer or historian
by Joni Krats
The BC Golf Museum is significant in many ways: the architecturally important building itself, the collections it houses, the records it keeps, and the fact that it has existed as a non-profit society for 20 years. It is also a great success story of volunteerism.
This May, the museum will be commemorating its 20th year since its dedication in 1989. When the University of British Columbia built its new clubhouse, a team of volunteers saved the building from razing with the intent of housing a vision. The museum started with a few exhibits, most from the personal collections of volunteers, and has grown to include 52 categories of exhibits such as the extensive collection of historical bags, balls and clubs. The museum is the only independent golf museum and library in any province or state in North America, and as such is an essential stop for anyone fascinated by golf history. The library holds 1,600 volumes and serials and the archives contain architectural records and maps, prints and drawings, manuscripts, films, photos and other records. These resources are available to schools, the media, clubs and interested individuals.
As a reference resource, the BC Golf Museum is essential, as it houses a reference library that includes information on every British Columbian golf course that has ever existed, over 1,500 player biographies, and the records of all tournaments that have been around longer than 25 years.
Barry McWha, golf professional and executive director of the museum, is proud of the history of volunteer effort that created and maintains the BC Golf Museum. The three main volunteers were Michael Riste, Dick White and Harry White, all of whom were collectors. Riste did much of the restorative work on the building. Soon after, Dorothy Brown became the executive director, a position that didn't always pay in the early years.
“The fact that the museum has been…in this building for 20 years is a testament to the people who were key to its existence,” said McWha. “They made this collection what it is, and it is second to none in this country.”
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