The Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course, today the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, had its beginning in April 1911, in the office of CPR executive, Richard Marpole. Nine businessmen, all residents of the prestigious and quickly developing enclave of Shaughnessy, agreed to turn 67 acres of land leased from the CPR into the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course. By November 2nd of the following year, they had. The first nine holes opened on that date, the second nine, the next year. In the decades to follow, many of the names that played a prominent role in Vancouver's growth and prosperity also appeared on Shaughnessy's membership roster.
 
The 1913 U.S. Open, in which 20 year-old Francis Ouimet turned in a sizzling 72 in the playoff round to defeat seasoned British Professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, made golf an instant "glamour game" in North America. Following the Open, Vardon and Ray toured the U.S. and Canada. Their exhibition game in Vancouver - for which they were paid the sum of $400.00 - was played at Shaughnessy, where both British visitors broke the course record of 70 with a 68 (Vardon) and 69 (Ray). Vardon's flawless form enhanced
Vancouverites' growing intrigue with this sport, which was still relatively new to Canada.
 
Shaughnessy gained national eminence by the hiring of Davie Black as Professional in 1920, after the resignation of Alfred Blinko. For the next 20 years, Davie combined winning 48 of the top professional titles in Canada and the Pacific Northwest with an unparalleled dedication to the advancement of the game itself. This included the formation of the B.C. Professional Golfers' Association. He was subsequently rewarded with the election to both the B.C. Sports and Canadian Golf Halls of Fame.
 
In 1956, it became evident that the CPR wanted the valuable land on which the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Club stood for real estate development. After a search, a long-term lease was signed with the Musqueam Indian Band for the present, beautiful, 162-acre site of the new Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. The last crack of a ball being struck on the original fairways echoed down Granville Street in early November 1960. The Club was then moved to the new site, without any interruption of play.
 
In 2011, Shaughnessy is celebrating its 100th anniversary by hosting the RBC Canadian Open.  It is the fourth time they have hosted the Open, the last being in 2005.