Celebrating 50 years at Science Hill Country Club

Jim and Nan McCann, Rhonda Tucker, and Paul Bender at Science Hill Country Club’s 50th anniversary retro golf scramble tournament Sept. 6.

By Stewart Grant

It was a full-on ‘70s theme as Science Hill Country Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a retro golf scramble tournament on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The enthusiasm of those who signed up for the day’s events was evident through their colourful ‘70s attire and reflective of how popular this once “hidden gem” of a golf course has become.

For Jim and Nan McCann, who purchased Science Hill from C.E. Miller in 1986 and operated the course as a family business for 35 years, Saturday’s celebration was an opportunity to simply enjoy the moment. Their contributions to the course over many years were on everyone’s mind, and current general manager Rhonda Tucker organized things so the McCanns could kick off the tournament with their tee shots, just like how Augusta National pays tribute to its past champions.

Tucker, who worked closely with Jim McCann for two years, spoke about the changes that she has seen over the past few years – not just about the golf course, but within Jim McCann himself.

“We are now in our fourth year with new ownership. The changes that have happened since then have blown his mind – things that they never would have done (like putting a halfway house in with new washrooms, adding a beer cart, hiring additional staff).”

“To see the changes we have had and to see him; he is happier. He is a happier person because he’s out here golfing three times a week. He’s smiling. I’m really glad that I worked with Jim for the first couple of years and learned so much. I love him like my dad. And the family … to bring Izzy (Reid, Jim’s granddaughter) back from Winnipeg and have her come and work for us is fantastic. All of these members have known her since she was wee, so it’s very cool.”

Tucker said bridging the gap between Science Hill still being a family-operated business and having a small-town feel to what her boss (Southside Group, a London-based conglomerate) requires as a profitable golf course production has been a challenge, but one they have succeeded at.

Southside Group’s investment in the golf course is still growing. In November 2026, the first of three phases of housing development is projected to begin, utilizing some of the 130 acres of land the company owns to the south side of Science Hill’s 17th hole. Fifty lots are planned for phase one, with about 70 lots in phase two and another 50 or so lots in phase three – all for year-round living.

“They’re construction people,” said Tucker, discussing the competence of the Southside team. “They build houses, developments, they’ve done high rises, they’ve done everything in London.”

Recently, a key investment was made in the maintenance of the golf course through the hiring of St. Marys native Dan Stockdale as the new superintendent. Stockdale brings a wealth of experience in the golf industry, working at elite golf courses in BC and Muskoka after gaining his turf-care education at Pennsylvania State University years ago.

“I talked to Sandy Fifield (longtime superintendent at St. Marys Golf and Country Club who assisted Science Hill recently) and she was like, ‘If you can get him, that’s fantastic, you guys are in good hands.’ ”

Stockdale is the latest local addition to a strong service team that is being built at Science Hill. When asked about this year’s staffing levels, Tucker counted more than 20 employees combined split between grounds crew, kitchen and serving, and pro shop. It’s certainly a huge jump from the McCann days, but it’s appropriate given how busy things have become. Membership was capped at 170 this past year, green-fee play was very active and their 72 campground sites were all full.

“Long gone is the day where you can just drive up here on a Friday afternoon and not have to make a tee time and just walk out.”

With reasonable prices and quality food, the restaurant has been busy all year, and the anniversary tournament was sold out completely. Max Smith provided musical entertainment while Dave Shepley and Dan Armstrong have each performed periodically on Friday and Saturday nights earlier in the year.

Tucker summed up their success simply.

“It’s word of mouth and because it’s a small town, if you do it right, people will come.”