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Once a hidden golf treasure, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is located amid the rolling hills and woodlands in Caledon, Ont. Now more than three decades later, it’s a premier destination hosting the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour’s lone Canadian stop.Supplied/TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley
From a hidden golf gem just north of Toronto to a world-class destination hosting professional golf tours, the three-decade journey of Osprey Valley is a story that Chris Humeniuk never tires of telling.
Flash back to 1992: He’s two years into his finance career and the “golfer in the family” when his father, Roman, and uncle, Jerry, both successful land developers and subdivision builders, ask him to consult on the viability of investing in Osprey Valley – a nascent golf property in Caledon, Ont.
While the Heathlands, a links-style course modelled after Ireland’s Portmarnock Golf Club, just opened at Osprey Valley, the owners faced financial distress and were looking for a buyer. Mr. Humeniuk made the hour-long drive from Toronto to discover an expansive property and bucolic golf course amid rolling hills, but he was not sold.
“I, in my youth, astutely went back and told them that it was a wonderful golf course, but it was too far from the city,” recalls Mr. Humeniuk, president of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. “Fortunately, they did not listen to me.”
In the end, Mr. Humeniuk’s father and uncle purchased the Heathlands, with the assumption that Caledon would become more easily accessible to the Greater Toronto Area over time. Luckily, they were right, Mr. Humeniuk says.
A national pastime, by the numbers
Golf’s surge in popularity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is well-documented. It’s the No. 1 participation sport in Canada, with nearly six million Canadians playing the game on the country’s 2,300 courses, according to a recent Golf Canada report.
Another study found the golf industry contributed $23.2-billion to Canada’s GDP in 2023, compared to $18.2-billion in 2019. That same year, golf-related activities also generated more than $14.2-billion in labour income.
While golf course construction costs vary widely owing to each project’s unique conditions, Canadian architect Doug Carrick says costs have risen significantly since the pandemic owing to supply chain issues.
“Early in my career, we built a number of 18-hole courses for less than $4-million,” he says, referring to the 80s and 90s. “The new courses being built today are likely in the $20- to $25-million-plus range, depending on many different factors.”
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TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley is now much more than just a golf destination. The property features several high-end amenities, including a 65,000-square-foot clubhouse, four VIP suites, a restaurant, luxury stay-and-play cabins and more.Supplied/TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley
Built for this
Within a decade, the Humeniuks had acquired more land surrounding the Heathlands’ course and hired Mr. Carrick to build two additional 18-hole courses, which opened in 2001 and 2003 respectively. The family holdings now include three distinct courses all ranked in SCOREGolf’s most recent Top 100 Courses in Canada listing.
After stepping away from a successful finance career, Mr. Humeniuk returned to lead the family business in 2017. His first task: hiring a consultant to conduct an independent strategic review of the property’s potential.
Osprey Valley’s transformation continued in 2018 when it partnered with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour and the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network, a group of golf clubs run by the PGA Tour, and rebranded to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
In another pivotal move, Osprey Valley’s North Course hosted the RBC Canadian Open – the PGA Tour’s lone stop outside the U.S. – just last week. The event was expected to exceed an $85-million impact for the Caledon community.
“We like to say, ‘we’re built for this,’ ” Mr. Humeniuk says.
More than a golf destination
TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley – now fully operational with a 65,000-square-foot clubhouse, four VIP suites, a restaurant, luxury stay-and-play cabins and more – is now more than just a golf destination.
With the Humeniuks owning more than 1,800 acres, a separate 18,000-square-foot clubhouse just opened at the Heathlands last month.
However, the Humeniuks are still not finished building out the property. Mr. Humeniuk says his next focus is expanding “golf-adjacent experiences” and adding more commercial and residential offerings.
“I envisioned this property as a place where companies or executives could come to conduct business, entertain clients and close deals,” Mr. Humeniuk says. “On the flipside, most public players are more interested in a beer and a burger after their round. We’ve created spaces where we can meet those diverse needs simultaneously, without one group impeding on the other.”
Looking further ahead, Mr. Humeniuk hints at more development, including a joint venture to develop a 70-room inn, spa and 48 additional villas. He’s also considering another course designed for newer and younger players.
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TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley features three golf courses: North, Heathlands and Hoot. The North Course (pictured) was renovated in 2023 and hosted the RBC Canadian Open tournament just last week.Supplied/TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley
The new home for Canadian golf
Several years ago, Golf Canada – the governing body representing 360,000 golfers and 1,505 member clubs across the country – was looking to build its new headquarters. While the non-profit currently leases its building on the grounds of the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., it was ready to invest in its own.
After visiting and analyzing more than 40 locations across the GTA, the list was narrowed to a handful, most located on existing golf courses. But before finalizing a decision, a colleague convinced Golf Canada’s chief operating officer, Garrett Ball, to visit TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Like Mr. Humeniuk years before, he thought it was too far from the GTA.
“During the two-kilometre drive into the property, I fell in love immediately,” Mr. Ball recalls.
After many meetings and conversations, the Humeniuk family donated seven acres of land to Golf Canada to build its new headquarters, which is expected to be completed by early next year.
The initial plan called for a 30,000-square-foot building that would serve as a hub for Golf Canada and other associations such as Golf Ontario and the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada. However, the postpandemic shift to hybrid work changed this vision and reduced the building to 26,000 square feet. Toronto-based architect William Hicks was also chosen to design “the new home for Canadian golf.”
The three-storey building features a “living museum,” a researcher’s library and open-concept, flexible meeting spaces that can be adapted for future needs.
Mr. Ball is most excited about the planned 30,000-square-foot, 18-hole outdoor community putting course – designed by golf architect Paul Jansen – that will be open 24/7, free-of-charge. However, the construction timeline for the community course is still to be determined.
“This will not only be a great asset for the Caledon community, but it will also serve as a showpiece to engage new Canadians, beginners and golfers at all levels and skills,” Mr. Ball says.
