Elevating the Club Experience: Interview with Molly Jagroop General Manager, Oakdale Golf and Country Club
From the Canadian Open through Renovations: Oakdale’s readies for their Centennial Milestone
Nestled in the heart of Toronto, Oakdale Golf and Country Club is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary next season. With 27 holes of world-class golf and a range of top-tier amenities – including a swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis and pickleball courts – Oakdale has long been a premier destination for golf enthusiasts. For decades, families and friends have gathered to play its stunning course, while generations have connected over unforgettable meals in the club’s warm and inviting clubhouse.
Foodbuy recently spoke with General Manager Molly Jagroop about the club’s recent experience hosting the Canadian Open, the ongoing renovations enhancing both the golf course and the facilities, and the exciting milestone ahead in Oakdale’s storied history.
In 2023, Oakdale Golf & Country Club proudly hosted the Canadian Open, where Canadian golfer Nick Taylor made history by ending a 69-year drought with a thrilling victory – sealed by a remarkable 70-foot putt on the 18th hole. Originally scheduled to host the event in both 2021 and 2026, Oakdale’s 2021 Canadian Open was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the club prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026, Oakdale is collaborating with Golf Canada to explore future hosting opportunities.
As Jagroop highlighted, “Hosting the Canadian Open was a tremendous success for Oakdale. It brought in a significant number of new members and was financially beneficial for the club. We will revisit the timing for hosting a future Open once we have the necessary details to share with our membership.”
Elevating the Club Experience
The food service aspect of a private club certainly comes with its unique challenges, and in response, Oakdale made a leadership change last season, welcoming a new chef. “We wanted to take a fresh approach,” says Jagroop. “Our new chef is highly engaged with both staff and members. He takes a front-facing role, actively seeking feedback and truly listening to the members’ preferences when it comes to food and events. It’s all about creating a more personalized experience.”
With a large and diverse membership base, Oakdale has made a concerted effort to better align with members’ needs and preferences, both culturally and through the cuisine. “To support this, we brought in an expert from the community, who introduced us to a wealth of knowledge. This collaboration has been invaluable in helping our staff better understand the culinary traditions and expectations of our members.”
These efforts have already shown results. A recent membership satisfaction survey revealed significant improvements in the food service compared to the previous year, with members expressing increased satisfaction with the menu, the new chef, the delivery, and the overall service.
Renovations and Enhancements
Oakdale recently renovated its Café, and while launching a new food space can be exciting, they’ve realized that it takes time for people to fully understand the concept and what they’re offering. “To ensure success, our team has been refining the menu, improving pairings, and enhancing beverage offerings,” Jagroop explains.
In addition to the Café renovation, the club has been updating its banquet facilities to better accommodate private events. These upgrades are designed to optimize the space and allow for larger gatherings and celebrations. Several areas have already been renovated, with additional improvements to the facilities scheduled to better enhance member and guest experiences.
Master Plan and Future Improvements
The golf course, originally designed by legendary golf course architect Stanley Thompson, is nearing the completion of its master plan renovation. As this phase wraps up, the club is now focusing on developing the next stage of improvements.
When asked about key renovation projects, the club noted, “We are embarking on a long-range planning cycle to ensure we stay ahead of the growing and evolving needs of our members,” says Jagroop.
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