Gordon Brydson Who was Gordon Brydson? That is the question. The answer: He was one of Canada's best golfer's in his prime. Many people from Canada who play golf are very familiar with the fact that the last Canadian to win the RBC Canadian Open was Pat Fletcher in 1954. What most people don't know is that finishing second that year was Gordon Brydson. Pat Fletcher fired a 72 hole total of 280 -8 at Point Grey Country Club in Vancouver. At the time Fletcher was the first Canadian to win the National Championship in 40 years. However, it's the only time in the history of the Championship that two Canadians dueled for the prestigious title, a feat that may never be seen again. Brydson very easily could have won that week in 1954, but history was written differently and in the end he still had a great career as a golfer and builder in the game....
Brydson was born in 1907 and a native of Toronto who was known as an all around athlete. He displayed great skill as a hockey player while in his late teens and early twenties. Most notably he had stints for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1929-30 and the Chicago Blackhawks organization from 1930-32. Brydson was also a flying wing and place kicker for the Toronto Argonauts during the 1920's.
During this same time he was making a name for himself as a golfer. In 1930, Brydson won the Ontario Open Golf Championship which proved to be his first of many significant golf titles. His first job within the golf industry was Assistant Golf Professional at the Toronto Golf Club under the great George Cumming. Then in 1931 he was named the Head Golf Professional at Mississauga Golf & Country Club and held that post for 40 years. During his time at Mississauga, Brydson was instrumental in bringing the Canadian Open to the club six times in his tenure.
Brydson won his first major national golf title in 1935 when he captured the Millar Trophy. In 1928 Captain Melville Millar of the Islington Golf & Country Club donated the Trophy to the tournament. The event saw the best golf professionals from across the country play in a match play format which was held at the Islington Club for many years. Brydson went on to win the event 3 times (1935, 1942, 1953).
In the early going the Canadian Open was played for theRivermead Trophy (1919-1934). The trophy then became known for the prize given to the Low Canadian at the National Open Championship. Brydson won this distinction five times (1941, 1942, 1946, 1955, 1956) and not to mention his runner up finish didn't count in 1954.
During this same time he was making a name for himself as a golfer. In 1930, Brydson won the Ontario Open Golf Championship which proved to be his first of many significant golf titles. His first job within the golf industry was Assistant Golf Professional at the Toronto Golf Club under the great George Cumming. Then in 1931 he was named the Head Golf Professional at Mississauga Golf & Country Club and held that post for 40 years. During his time at Mississauga, Brydson was instrumental in bringing the Canadian Open to the club six times in his tenure.
Brydson won his first major national golf title in 1935 when he captured the Millar Trophy. In 1928 Captain Melville Millar of the Islington Golf & Country Club donated the Trophy to the tournament. The event saw the best golf professionals from across the country play in a match play format which was held at the Islington Club for many years. Brydson went on to win the event 3 times (1935, 1942, 1953).
In the early going the Canadian Open was played for theRivermead Trophy (1919-1934). The trophy then became known for the prize given to the Low Canadian at the National Open Championship. Brydson won this distinction five times (1941, 1942, 1946, 1955, 1956) and not to mention his runner up finish didn't count in 1954.
Gordon Brydson Playing Accomplishments
National 1935 Winner of the Millar Trophy 1942 Winner of the Millar Trophy 1953 Winner of the Millar Trophy 1941 Winner of the Rivermead Trophy 1942 Winner of the Rivermead Trophy 1946 Winner of the Rivermead Trophy 1955 Winner of the Rivermead Trophy 1956 Winner of the Rivermead Trophy 1942 Canadian Professional Golfers Association Champion 1944 Canadian Professional Golfers Association Champion 1948 Canadian Professional Golfers Association Champion 1960 Canadian PGA Senior Champion 1954 Canadian Open Runner-up | Provincial 1930 Ontario Open Champion 1944 Ontario Open Champion 1941 Quebec Open Champion 1962 Ontario Seniors PGA Champion 1963 Ontario Seniors PGA Champion 1964 Ontario Seniors PGA Champion 1965 Ontario Seniors PGA Champion 1938 Runner-up in the Ontario Open 1941 Runner-up in the Ontario Open 1946 Runner-up in the Ontario Open 1950 Runner-up in the Ontario Open |
Gordon Brydson was elected to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Canadian Professional Golf Tour acknowledges their most improved player each year with the Gordon Brydson Trophy.
JIm Kenesky's Final Thoughts
Many great individuals are not aware of the footsteps they are making when they are being great. Gordon Brydson was one of these individuals. Brydson didn't try to be great, he just did his best at every challenge he had. Golfer's in Canada today are not well connected with our history in the sport and Gordon Brydson left a significant footstep in the game. He was a great player and was instrumental in the PGA of Canada's and Mississaugua Golf & Country Club's traditions. It's sad that so many great individuals were never recognized in our wonderful past. Golf today in our country and in any part of the world was developed and made strong by individuals such as Gordon Brydson. We should be very thankful that these pioneers preserved our game for us. Though he didn't win in 1954, he still carved a wonderful past for us to remember and build from.
In an appreciation of reading my post on Gordon Brydson, I encourage you to visit these sites to see more on the history of golf in Canada.
In an appreciation of reading my post on Gordon Brydson, I encourage you to visit these sites to see more on the history of golf in Canada.
Infomation and facts provided by
PGA of Canada
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Mississauga Sports Council Hall of Fame
Golf Canada
PGA of Canada
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Mississauga Sports Council Hall of Fame
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