Kincardine native returning home after purchasing Ainsdale Golf Course

Top golfer and coach Taylor Schmidt is returning home to Kincardine after she and her husband, Charles Candler, purchased Ainsdale Golf Course, just south of Kincardine on Highway 21.

"We are totally thrilled for this new opportunity and adventure," said Taylor, via Facebook, from their home in Wichita, Kansas. "We cannot wait to get back to my hometown and be close to family and friends! We had considered golf courses in Florida, as that is where my husband is originally from. However, the opportunities with golf courses in Ontario seemed to be more what we were looking for. Evidently, Ainsdale worked out and we couldn't be happier!"

Al and Kathy Mackay have owned Ainsdale for the past 30 years and said that with the incredible assistance of their children, Brad and Jenny, their "always changing, always improving" attitude has transformed the 18-hole golf course dramatically since they took it over in 1986.

"As of Jan. 12, 2017, the course, will be under new ownership," stated the Mackays. "We wish Taylor and Charles all the best with their new adventure as owners of Ainsdale Golf Course. They have been truly wonderful to deal with and we are sure you will find the same this springtime and in the future."

Kathy and Al will remain in the area and look forward to many more games of golf and visiting with their friends. Brad will remain at Somerhill Golf Club, located on Highway 21 between Kincardine and Tiverton.

"We sincerely thank everyone for your support and all of the amazing memories created over the past 30 years," said the Mackays.

Al and Kathy have done a phenomenal job with the course and the entire property, said Taylor. "They were so wonderful to work with through this whole process."

Taylor is currently the head women's golf coach at Friends University in Wichita, and Charles is the assistant general manager of Flint Hills National Golf Club. They will be giving up those positions in order to move to Kincardine and take over Ainsdale.

As for their new acquisition, Taylor said that she and Charles want to talk to the members before making any major changes.

"We want to cater to them and ask their opinions of what they'd like to see done," she said. "We will initially do some minor things but nothing drastic right off the bat! And we will no longer be sister courses with Somerhill. Brad will continue to run and operate that course on his own. Ainsdale and Somerhill will no longer be affiliated."

The Candlers are excited to come to Kincardine and hope to sell their home in Wichita and be moved in by the beginning of January.



Al and Kathy Mackay and family (in front) say goodbye to Ainsdale Golf Course after 30 years of ownership; above right, an aerial photo of golf course; photos courtesy of Ainsdale Golf Course