by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com/LondonOntarioSports.com

At the heart of every Ontario small town is community spirit – sports (often hockey), fundraising and a coming together of residents for the good of the whole. And while hockey may well define who we are as Canadians, so, too, does the sport of golf. After all, per capita, there are more Canadians who golf compared to any other nation. And here in Southwestern Ontario, per capita, there are more golf courses than compared to anywhere else in North America.

Rogers Hometown Hockey has helped bring to light just how much that sport helps unite small towns all over this country. But in rural Ontario, a golf club can also ignite a flame for an entire community. Such is the case in Strathroy, a town surrounded by a vibrant farming community and boasting a deep history of service groups who have given back through good deeds and philanthropy.

When husband and wife Frank and Ann Toth – avid golfers – decided in 2001 to turn a former tobacco field on 100 acres of family-owned property into a golf course, they had hoped to meet the demand of a golf-crazy community. Indeed, it was a labour of love. A decade later, Caradoc Sands Golf Club is much more than just a golf course: it’s a hub of community pride, where golf, special events plus a busy food and beverage/catering business come together with a passion for growing the game of golf while assisting numerous local not-for-profits.

LondonOntarioGolf.com and parent publication LondonOntarioSports.com looked hard at the possibility of honouring a grassroots member of the Southwestern Ontario golf community when awarding the 12th annual London Ontario Golf Heart Award in 2022 (read the official news release here). It became evident very quickly that especially now, when the continuing COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip us, Caradoc Sands GC provides the entire Strathroy-Caradoc community with not only a popular, pristine, player-friendly golf course, but also a venue of which the community is extremely proud.

Turning Sand Into Greens And Fairways

The Toth family enlisted Gary Nethercott, a co-owner of the semi-private Pine Knot Golf & Country Club in Dorchester and president of Nethercott Excavating Ltd. to build Caradoc Sands GC. Bill Fox Jr., who died in December 2013, designed the course where today more than 35,000 rounds are played each year and where a membership cap of 200 golfers has existed since 2012.

Construction started in June 2001, and the club opened for play in spring 2003. During construction, more than 500 trees were planted and 25 sand bunkers created. The course opened with four tee blocks measuring from 5,084 to 6,204 yards, and today measures from 5,094 to 6,303 yards. Over the years, more than 30 additional bunkers plus a re-design of the back nine came to fruition, mostly tied to a gas pipeline installation in 2007.

The Caradoc Sands GC clubhouse is a thing of beauty, and a local treasure, not only for its architecture but mainly for being a beehive of activity 365 days a year – including scores of charity fundraisers. The structure was expanded in 2012 in order to meet local demand and to better serve a constant clientele of golf-hungry residents. A second wedding structure was added in 2017 – the club is perhaps the town’s busiest wedding and banquet centre – and the 43 North Pubhouse and Patio plus thriving catering business is a favourite haunt of golfers from all over Southwestern Ontario, including a large legion of London golfers who make the half-hour trek to Strathroy for great golf, good food and memorable times with family and friends.

The ongoing pandemic has changed how we all interact, but on any given day tee sheets are full at Caradoc Sands GC and locals can’t get enough of executive chef Kyle Watson’s delicious fare which has been available for takeout and delivery.

Much More Than Just Golf

Of course, golf, special events, food and beverage aren’t the only reasons why Caradoc Sands GC is now rightfully recognized as a local treasure with the London Ontario Golf Heart Award. Strathroy-Caradoc has embraced the club as a vital part of its identity. And in turn, the family-owned club has supported Strathroy-Caradoc through unparalleled philanthropy and through initiatives aiming to grow the game of golf.

For almost two decades, Caradoc Sands GC has supported hundreds of local groups and not-for-profits. The club provides free golf for junior golfers and their families, offers immaculate playing conditions even raved about by members of surrounding private clubs, and is the hub of local sports, leisure and business activity through golf, hospitality and special events.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized for our commitment to the Strathroy-Caradoc community,” said Caradoc Sands GC general manager Denton Hackney. “Growing the game of golf has always been our passion, and it lives today through our Kids Play Free program. Any night after 6 p.m., a junior golfer and an accompanying adult play golf at no charge. It’s always well attended, and has really sparked an interest in the game locally. We even have clubs on site for kids to use for free.”

When it comes to charity golf tournaments, Caradoc Sands GC is one of the busiest area golf courses with about 100 rounds of golf donated each year to various causes. Groups benefiting from the club’s philanthropy are too many to list here, but include local minor hockey, baseball and soccer groups, both the Jr. B Rockets and Sr. A Jets hockey clubs, local Lions and Rotary clubs, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital – the list goes on.

According to Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden, “London Ontario Golf has discovered what we’ve known for many years: that Caradoc Sands is an important part of Strathroy-Caradoc and a great support to the community. Through their hosting of charity events, continued donations to the community and focus on youth sports, the team at Caradoc Sands continually open their doors and their hearts.

“Through these pandemic times, Caradoc Sands has been a hub of fun and recreation, dedicated to providing us with a venue for fun, exercise and family time, and a continuation of something positive in our lives,” Vanderheyden said. “With this award, Caradoc Sands joins the notable ranks of previous honourees like Mike Weir who have truly embraced the game of golf and its impact on communities across Southwestern Ontario.”

Caradoc Sands GC is the second golf club to win the Heart Award. In 2015, East Park Golf was presented with the Heart Award for its efforts in growing the game in London and for its continued community support.

“Family owned and operated, Caradoc Sands has evolved over the years to inspire efficiency, creativity, and business ethics,” reads the Caradoc Sands GC website. “We are passionate about what we do, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. Our goal is to offer a beautifully maintained and challenging course, impeccable food, memorable service, and a friendly atmosphere.”

No one had to tell the residents of Strathroy-Caradoc that Caradoc Sands GC is a special destination with the community at heart. But now, the club and its dedicated team can proudly call themselves Heart Award winners, and thus receive national recognition for their excellence in customer service and community involvement. And with the likes of Weir, Patty Howard and another Strathroy legend, golf course designer Rene Muylaert, all with their names engraved on the trophy, Caradoc Sands GC is in good company.

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Jeffrey Reed is Southwestern Ontario’s senior sports reporter with roots dating back to local radio and print in 1980. He has captured several writing awards for sports journalism excellence, and is a three time author. Reed was recently nominated for the London Sports Hall of Fame. Reach him at jeff@londonontariosports.com.