Golf is mourning former PGA Tour player Matt McQuillan, who has died at the age of 45 after a career that took him from Kingston, Ontario, to the highest level of professional golf.
McQuillan died Wednesday while surrounded by family at a hospital in Ontario, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not listed.
The Canadian golfer was remembered as “a respected golfer, devoted son, hilarious brother, and friend,” but those who knew him also emphasized the impact he had away from competition.
“Whether on the course or in everyday life, he had a remarkable ability to bring people together, offering encouragement, laughter, and genuine friendship to everyone he met,” his obituary said. “His welcoming personality and unwavering kindness made him a beloved figure within Kingston’s golfing community and beyond.”
From Kingston to the PGA Tour
McQuillan’s relationship with golf began early. His father, Mark, started teaching him to swing a club when he was 10 years old, setting in motion a journey that eventually carried him into professional competition.
After playing college golf at Oklahoma State and Georgia, McQuillan turned professional in 2003. He competed on the Canadian Tour before eventually earning his opportunity on the PGA Tour.
Once there, McQuillan showed that he could compete with some of the best players in the sport.
He appeared in 32 PGA Tour events and recorded three top-10 finishes during his rookie season. His best result came at the 2011 John Deere Classic, where he produced one of the strongest rounds of his PGA Tour career at exactly the right moment.
McQuillan fired a final-round 64 and finished tied for third, behind tournament winner Steve Stricker.
Golf Canada Pays Tribute
Golf Canada remembered McQuillan as “one of Canada’s most promising young golfers in the late 1990s” while joining the Canadian golf community in mourning his death.
His involvement with the game continued long after his PGA Tour appearances.
McQuillan eventually returned to his hometown of Kingston, where he taught golf and worked with younger players. According to the PGA Tour, he helped “introduce and develop the next generation of Canadian golfers.”
His obituary described that work as part of a much larger connection to the people around the game.
“Matt developed lifelong friendships while mentoring anyone who loved the game of golf,” it said.
A Final Farewell to ‘Matty’
That combination of competitive experience and willingness to teach gave McQuillan a continuing role in the sport that had been part of his life since childhood. The player who had once worked his way from Canadian golf to the PGA Tour eventually brought that experience home and shared it with others.
His family’s obituary closed with a deeply personal farewell.
“He will be deeply missed by many and his spirit, love and compassion will be remembered every day. Rest easy, Matty. We love you.”
