Dick Grimm knows a thing or two about building strong foundations: as a prior member of the concrete business, creating support systems comes naturally to him. Perhaps this is why he was able to grow the Canadian Open to the grand stature it sits at today.
Grimm initially spearheaded the Canadian Open in 1965, working relentlessly to make it a success—and ensure that it flourish into a major annual championship. To assist with this process, Grimm served as chairman of the Canadian Open for the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), now known as Golf Canada, in 1970, ’72, ’75, ’77, ’78, ’79, and ’81. He was also an RCGA governor for five years, and served as RCGA president in 1974.
In the mid-1970s, Grimm was involved in the construction of the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, convincing golf legend Jack Nicklaus to become the course architect. Once complete, Glen Abbey became the home to the Canadian Open from 1977 to 2000. It is also home of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, in which Grimm was inducted as a builder in 2003.
After a decade as the Director of Professional Tournaments for Golf Canada, Grimm left his role to become Canadian Tour Commissioner, which he would maintain until his retirement in 1997. But Grimm, of course, wouldn’t let retirement stop him from contributing to the world of golf; he continued to serve on numerous committees, and in 2011, was awarded the inaugural George Cumming Distinguished Service Award by the PGA of Canada.
According to the Canadian PGA, this award is designed “to recognize outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf”—qualities that Grimm has undoubtedly shown throughout his entire life.
Grimm was made a lifetime member of the PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association) of Canada in 2012. He passed away on May 14, 2014 at the age of 91.
