Alexa Stirling

V I I | A L E X A S T I R L I NG

K R I S B U L M E R JANUARY 13, 2022

Dear World Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee,

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is pleased to add our voice to endorsing the nomination of Alexa Stirling Fraser to the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, founded in 1891, is one of the oldest golf clubs in North America. Our history is rich and Alexa Stirling Fraser looms large in that history. We are thrilled that her legacy as one of the greats in golf may soon be recognized by the World Golf Hall of Fame. To honour Alexa’s place in our club’s history, the Alexa Stirling Fraser Lounge, a central gathering place for members and guests within our historic clubhouse, was dedicated in 1996. The lounge is decorated with photographs and trophies, generously donated by her family. As well, since 1976, the women of our club have competed annually for the Alexa Fraser Trophy. Alexa’s wins of national amateur championships, in the United States and Canada, are well documented. Her friendship with, and impact on, Bobby Jones is legendary. Their fundraising efforts during the war by playing exhibition golf games; the many accolades she received from golfers and golf journalists of the day; not to mention her impact on future generations of golfers are well-known. Her history in competition and her continuing impact on women’s golf after moving to Canada, may not be as well-known. While competing in the 1923 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship near Ottawa, Alexa met Dr. Wilbert Fraser; two years later they were married and Alexa relocated to Ottawa, Canada. She joined The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and continued to compete in local and national competitions. As a mother and wife Alexa remained an ardent and most proficient golfer. She won The Royal Ottawa Golf Club’s Ladies’ Championship nine times over more than 30 years. Though one might assume that home club competition would be easily won by Alexa, she would often face Royal Ottawa competitors that she would have previously faced on the Canadian national scene. The feat of a 30-year span is one not realized by any other of our Club Champions, male or female. Her first win in 1925 was at the age of 28, her final win in 1957, at the age of 60. There is no doubt there could have been more than nine wins, but Alexa often declined to enter our Club’s championship, preferring to allow others, less experienced in competition, a chance to shine. A testament to her character. Beyond her home club, Alexa won eight Ottawa City & District Championships and continued to compete in the Canadian Amateur. In 1934, Alexa won the Canadian Amateur for the second time. In recognition of the distinction her win brought to The Royal Ottawa, Alexa was made a Lifetime Honorary Member of our club, one of only two people ever offered a Lifetime Honorary ROGC membership. She remained a member until her death in 1977.

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