Club Times: September/October 2023

Keeping Our Heritage Alive: Meeting the Alexa Stirling Family A Visit to Royal Ottawa Golf Club

From Kate Brunette: Hello Ted,

On June 21, a small contingent of Heritage Committee members including Past President Bruce Barfield and current President Kevin Costello traveled to Ottawa, Canada to meet the descendants of Alexa Stirling Fraser and members of Royal Ottawa Golf Club and to build stronger ties between the Atlanta Athletic Club, East Lake Golf Club and Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Royal Ottawa Golf Club was the home club of Alexa Stirling after she married Dr. Wilbert Fraser and settled in Ottawa to raise her three children: Sandra, Glen and Richard. Last year, Ted Sullivan and members of the Heritage Committee submitted the nomination of Alexa Stirling Fraser to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Alexa was not included on the ballot this year due to the backlog of candidates from the founding members of the LPGA as well as other highly qualified candidates. In our efforts to get Alexa Stirling nominated into the World Golf Hall of Fame, we have worked closely with the Stirling-Fraser family, Royal Ottawa Golf Club and East Lake Golf Club. Ted Sullivan of the Heritage Committee arranged the trip with Kate Brunette, wife of Ian Carwardine, who is one of the grandsons of Alexa Stirling Fraser. A few members of Heritage Committee traveled to Royal Ottawa at the request of the Stirling family to enjoy a day of golf, fellowship and shared history. After a beautiful day of golf on the main course at Royal Ottawa, Jennifer Mirsky provided a tour of their historic club and shared some interesting parallels between Royal Ottawa and Atlanta Athletic Club’s East Lake Country Club. Both courses were designed by

golf course architect Tom Bendelow. Both courses employed George Sargent as their golf professional. Both clubs moved locations several times and both clubs had clubhouses that burned down twice! But of course the most significant parallel that we share is the incomparable Alexa Stirling, who was an honorary member of both clubs. Alexa was the first national champion of Atlanta Athletic Club, winning the 1916 US Women’s Amateur Championship (and repeating in 1919 and 1920) and she was also Royal Ottawa’s first female national champion, winning the Canadian Open in 1934 (she had won it previously in 1920, before she married Dr. Fraser). In reverence to the late Alexa Stirling Fraser, both clubs have a lounge named in her honor. It was a wonderful trip and great occasion to strengthen the common bonds we share in our mission to have Alexa inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame so she can be recognized as the true champion and great sportswoman she was!

On behalf of Alexa's family, I/we want to express our gratitude for the wonderful time we had last week. Our Ottawa based family had the pleasure of meeting you, Bruce, Kevin, Margaret, and Cherise, as we gathered to honour our Alexa at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. It truly was a special occasion. It was fascinating to discover the remarkable parallels between the two clubs. From multiple locations to clubhouse fires, and even sharing George Sargent as the head golf professional, and, of course, Alexa. Both histories are intertwined in unexpected ways. Moreover, we wanted to extend our sincerest appreciation for the thoughtful gift you bestowed upon Alexa's descendants who were present—Ian, Doug, Brian, and Chris. They will remember this gift as a meaningful reminder of our time together. Additionally, the AAC 125th anniversary pins you kindly provided to each dinner guest are lovely, thank you. They not only commemorated a significant milestone for your club but also serve as mementos of a memorable gathering. We were honoured to receive them. Once again, thank you Ted. We are immensely thankful to you & your heritage committee for making this trip to Ottawa. It is through your collective efforts that Alexa’s remarkable legacy continues to be celebrated and honoured. We are deeply grateful for your support and dedication on this journey to get Alexa inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. We look forward to continuing to build on our connection to The Atlanta Athletic Club, East Lake Golf Club and The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Alexa would be so very happy we gathered.