This Century-Old Club Has One Unique Rule—Only Women Can Be Members

"I posed as the wife of a man who was looking for a farm. If I had said I was looking for a ladies’ golf course site, I might still be looking."

Ada Mackenzie is every bit of a pioneer.

She was a renowned champion golfer in Canada, earning upwards of 16 career titles, spanning from 1919 to 1965—but perhaps the most impressive feat she accomplished is found in the plot of land she purchased for $30,000 in 1924.

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Statue of Ada Mackenzie. Photo credits to Matchplay Marketing; Skyfox Golf and the Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto.

Born in 1891 to an affluent family of Scottish decent, the Mackenzie's were a family that participated in and embraced leisurely activities, and therefore Ada was introduced to golf at an early age. But it wasn't until she went off to attend college when her love for the game reached full bloom.

Golf was her passion, though she had a proclivity for other sports. A number of sources have claimed her to have been an outstanding athlete in school, acting as captain of the hockey, tennis, basketball and cricket teams.

But what set her down her fated path was taking lessons from a man named William Locke at her father's home course— Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. Locke saw her skill and told her to enter the 1912 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. A title she wouldn't win until her 28th birthday (in 1919), but eventually was claimed by her five total times.

But as the decade changed, and the dust from the first World War settled, Mackenzie struggled to find courses that would allow her to play.

Courses in Canada restricted women from playing golf on the weekends, the only time Mackenzie and women like herself had time off from work. As a result, her game suffered, but not for long. She decided to do something about it. Joined by her friend and architect Stanley Thompson, another Canadian golf legend, the two set out to create a space just for Mackenzie and any other woman who craved a space to call their own.

I’ve always admired Stanley Thompson’s work, so to have a course designed by him as my home club feels like a privilege. His signature design shines through here—the tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkers, and water features make every round unique and challenging. No two rounds ever feel the same, which is one of the things I love most about playing here.

— Diane Crnojevic, Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto member

Thompson meticulously structured the layout with women in mind. Something challenging, yet enjoyable for them and any male guests. So think narrow fairways, small and complex greens with hidden rolls.

There was also a strong focus on playability off the tee. Thompson has calculated that these women would naturally be shorter than their male counterparts, so this course wouldn't see dauntingly long carries.

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Diane Crnojevic, a member and long-time fan of the course describes the as one of Thompson's masterpieces. "As an avid fan of Stanley Thompson’s work, I feel incredibly fortunate to call one of his masterpieces my home course. Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is not only a place of beauty but also a true reflection of Thompson’s genius in golf course architecture—a perfect blend of natural landscape, strategic design, and timeless charm."

The course has a 20-hole layout, and the two additional holes allow golfers who prefer to play nine holes to loop back toward the clubhouse instead of heading down into the valley toward the eighth hole.

Crnojevic says that this is the kind of course that rewards precision, strategy, and skill rather than sheer distance.

Visually, this club appears to be something out of a fairytale. Like you can just see that things are done with the intention behind a woman's touch.

Perfectly manicured grass. Velvety, delicate florals that sway in the breeze. And a clubhouse that looks straight from a movie set (my immediate thought was the house from Gone With the Wind), with Ada's statue proudly watching over her legacy.

Mackenzie was also somewhat of a golf fashion guru, too. It was said that in 1930, she opened a women’s sportswear store to provide more appropriate golf apparel for women. A little tidbit of her life the Club has channeled into its pro shop.

"Walking into the pro shop feels like stepping into a boutique designed exclusively for women who love the game," said Crnojevic. "It’s completely stocked with selections of top brands like lululemon, adidas, and Ralph Lauren, to name a few, making it one of the most stylish and well-curated golf shops around. It’s almost overwhelming—in the best way possible—to see so many choices and styles that truly cater to every woman’s taste, whether you prefer classic sophistication or modern athletic chic."

Kind of sounds like heaven, no?

The stark contrast of so many shops across the U.S. that neglect women's offerings, where often times there's a pitiful little rack pushed into a corner littered in hot pink to a space curated just for women is almost too good to be true.

It's like that Golf Channel video from a couple years ago called "The Other Foot Country Club", but IRL.

Expertly manicured greens and highly-curated clothing displays are well and good, but Mackenzie's legacy is rooted in something more, something deeper. One hundred years ago, she was ostracized so she sought to find a sense of belonging.

A century later, that community she built has not just lasted, but it's flourished.

"It’s so much more than just golf. It’s a community built on support, learning, and friendship," shares Crnojevic, who was introduced to the club by a friend of hers. "The club offers social events, instruction, and lifestyle experiences that make every member feel included and inspired. It’s a place filled with camaraderie and encouragement—not competition or exclusion."

Ladies' Golf Club of Toronto offers a trial membership to those who are curious about it. It's a one-year opportunity to experience everything the Club has to offer. Trial members can play as much golf as they like, meet other members, and truly get a feel for the community before deciding if they’d like to transition into full membership.

Once one becomes a member, they are paired with a "member buddy", someone who is a full member that who helps guide you through your first year. Your buddy is there to introduce you to others, help you get familiar with the course and clubhouse, and encourage you to participate in tournaments, events, and social gatherings—something Crnojevic says is a thoughtful way the club has created to continue to foster connections, mentorship, and a true sense of community.

"If you’re looking for a golf club that celebrates women’s play, development, and connection, this is the place. The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto is where you can grow, belong, and be part of something truly special."

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