
Murray Bay Course
Club de golf de Murray Bay
About this course
Club de golf de Murray Bay sits in La Malbaie along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec's Charlevoix region, approximately ninety miles northeast of Quebec City. Established in 1876, it holds the distinction of being the oldest golf club in continuous operation in North America, predating the Royal Montreal Golf Club's permanent location. The course was originally laid out by a group of Scottish and American summer residents who vacationed in the area, drawn by the dramatic river views and mountainous terrain of Charlevoix. The course occupies rolling terrain with elevation changes that reflect the region's distinctive topography, where the Canadian Shield meets the St. Lawrence. The routing takes advantage of natural contours and offers views across the river valley. The layout has evolved over its long history, with modifications made to accommodate modern play while preserving the character of a historic nine-hole course that reflects late nineteenth-century design principles. The property maintains a traditional feel consistent with early Canadian golf clubs, where simplicity and natural features define the playing experience. Murray Bay serves as both a golf course and a window into the early development of the game in Canada. The club's longevity connects it to the era when golf was introduced to North America by Scottish immigrants and British colonial influence. Its setting in Charlevoix, a region known for its natural beauty and as a historic summer retreat destination, contributes to the course's enduring appeal among members and visitors exploring Quebec's golf heritage.
Quick facts
- Location
- La Malbaie, Québec, CA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1897
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 68
- Length
- 5,547 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.8/127
Getting there
The journey to Club de golf de Murray Bay begins at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, roughly ninety minutes northeast along the storied Route 138 that traces the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The drive itself unfolds as a gradual ascent into the Charlevoix region, where the river widens into an estuary and the landscape shifts from lowland farms to dramatic coastal bluffs and rolling highland terrain. As you approach La Malbaie, the road narrows through stands of birch and spruce, and the air takes on the crisp, salt-tinged quality of the maritime highlands - a fitting threshold to one of Canada's oldest and most quietly revered golf grounds, perched above the river that first brought Scottish and English summer colonists to these shores more than a century ago.

FAQ
Common questions about Murray Bay
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Yes. Murray Bay is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Murray Bay is 68.
Murray Bay plays 5,547 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Murray Bay is 127.
Murray Bay is a 18-hole course.

