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RESTORATION

Restoring an Iconic
Canadian Club

Returning one of Canada’s unique golf courses to its former glory—that was the goal of the restoration of St. Charles that started in 2022.

With the only course to feature one nine by Donald Ross and another by Alister MacKenzie, St. Charles set about restoring the design features, aesthetics and playability of the course to its Golden Age origins.

The vision was simple: to be clearly the best club in Manitoba, be among the best in Western Canada, and to be recognized nationally as one of the country’s top golf clubs.

Under the direction of noted restoration expert Jim Urbina, and shaper/architect Riley Johns, St. Charles invested millions in returning all 27 holes to their former glory. Ross’ lost green features and fairway corridors were returned, and MacKenzie’s putting contours and elaborate bunkering was restored to match the original vision. The final nine, created by Stanley Thompson’s associate Norman Woods, was rebuilt to reflect the characteristics found in the work of the best golf designer in Canada’s history, as well as adding a spectacular short game and putting area situated on the scenic Assiniboine River.

To accompany the most significant investment in a golf course in Manitoba history, we are also embarking on a bold plan over the next 8 to 12 years to upgrade several amenities to create a world class experience right here in Winnipeg.

Jim Urbina

One of the great modern architects in golf, Urbina was tasked with restoring the lost features of both the Ross and MacKenzie designs through one of the most ambitious course restorations in Canadian history of the game. Led by thoughtful and thorough historic research and incredible dedication, Urbina spent several years carefully returning the design features of creators of St. Charles’ original 18 holes.

Notable projects:
• Pacific Dunes*
• Old Macdonald*
• Pasatiempo
• Valley Club of Montecito
• Claremont
• San Francisco Golf Club
• Bob O’Link
• Sankaty Head
*with Tom Doak

Riley Johns

One of the game’s best young designers, Johns has worked with the best in the game—including Tom Doak and Coore and Crenshaw. He’s also noted for his work with his design partner, Keith Rhebb, at Winterpark in Florida. A student of the game with deep historical knowledge, Johns led shaping efforts to restore the Ross and MacKenzie nines at St. Charles, and reworked the final nine in the style of Canadian design legend Stanley Thompson.

Notable projects:
• Winterpark (Florida)
• Point Grey (British Columbia)
• Cabot Cliffs (as shaper—Nova Scotia)
• Tara Iti (New Zealand)

– Phase One –
Restoring the Golden Age at St. Charles

The MacKenzie Nine Restoration

The membership at St. Charles felt strongly the club should restore the experience Dr. MacKenzie had created, which led to the hiring of Jim Urbina, a MacKenzie restoration expert. Jim’s genius and creativity has showcased Dr. MacKenzie’s true intent for the nine, including the spectacular use of the land he was given, as well as majestic bunkers and astounding green sites.

Project Keys

Work on the project began in 2022, restoring bunkers to MacKenzie’s style and properly draining them for consistency. Greens were returned to their original size, preserving the 1928 contours. The greens, fairways, and tees were seeded with bent grass for better playability, environmental benefits, and resilience, and a state-of-the-art irrigation system was installed. MacKenzie’s iconic hole #3 was recreated, adding fun with this remarkable short par 4.

The course reopened in 2023.

The Ross Nine Restoration

Urbina continued his amazing work by restoring the nines holes designed by Donald Ross in 1919. Having grown up in the shadow of the world famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Ross is famed for designs such as Seminole, Oak Hill, Pinehurst #2, and many, more. As with the MacKenzie Nine, it was very important for the club to restore what Donald Ross initially designed at St. Charles.

Project Keys

All bunkers were restored to Ross’ style and properly drained for consistency. Greens were returned to their original size, preserving the original contours. Greens, fairways, and tees were seeded with bent grass for better playability and resilience. A state-of-the-art irrigation system was installed to improve water management and conditioning. Re-routing holes #5 through #7 restored Ross’s original layout.

The course reopened in 2024.

– Phase Two –
Completing the golf experience.

The Woods Nine Renovation

Originally known as “The Woods Nine,” for its namesake designer, Norman Woods, these holes were reworked completely by architect Riley Johns in the style of Canadian legend Stanley Thompson. The rebuild started in 2024.

Project Keys

The $6.5 million project will include earth moving and shaping to resolve drainage issues and create land movement making the golf course fun and interesting to play. Bent grass will be used on fairways, tees, and greens as found on the MacKenzie and Ross Nines, and significant alterations to the terrain, will create slopes and elevation changes. This new 3,350-yard nine will be a par 35.

The course will reopen in late spring 2026.

Sitwell Short Game Area

In June 2024, St. Charles will move its short game area to a scenic spot by the Assiniboine River, inspired by Alister MacKenzie’s Sitwell Green. The 34,000-square-foot area will include a bunker, chipping, and putting green for practice and a putting course. A second 900-square-foot green will focus on wedge play and bunker shots, offering members a space to practice shots from 60 yards and closer.

The Woods Nine Renovation

Originally known as “The Woods Nine,” for its namesake designer, Norman Woods, these holes were reworked completely by architect Riley Johns in the style of Canadian legend Stanley Thompson. The rebuild started in 2024.

Project Keys

The $6.5 million project will include earth moving and shaping to resolve drainage issues and create land movement making the golf course fun and interesting to play. Bent grass will be used on fairways, tees, and greens as found on the MacKenzie and Ross Nines, and significant alterations to the terrain, will create slopes and elevation changes. This new 3,350-yard nine will be a par 35.

The course will reopen in late spring 2026.

Sitwell Short Game Area

In June 2024, St. Charles will move its short game area to a scenic spot by the Assiniboine River, inspired by Alister MacKenzie’s Sitwell Green. The 34,000-square-foot area will include a bunker, chipping, and putting green for practice and a putting course. A second 900-square-foot green will focus on wedge play and bunker shots, offering members a space to practice shots from 60 yards and closer.