Former PGA Tour golfer Matt McQuillan has died at 45, leaving the Canadian golf community mourning a player remembered as much for his character as his time on the course.
McQuillan died Wednesday at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario while surrounded by family, according to his online obituary. No cause of death has been announced.
After turning professional in 2003, the Kingston, Ontario, native earned his PGA Tour card through Q-School in 2010 and spent the following season competing against the world’s best. During the 2011 campaign, he played in 21 PGA Tour events, made seven cuts and posted the best finish of his career with a tie for third at the John Deere Classic.
Following his playing career, Matt McQuillan returned home to Kingston, where he dedicated himself to teaching the game and helping develop young Canadian golfers.
The PGA Tour honored McQuillan in a tribute, noting that he remained active in golf instruction in his hometown, “helping introduce and develop the next generation of Canadian golfers.”
His family remembered him for the impact he made far beyond tournament leaderboards.
“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 welcoming personality and unwavering kindness made him a beloved figure within Kingston’s golfing community and beyond,” read McQuillan’s obituary, per the Kingston Whig-Standard.
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They also reflected on the attitude he brought to every round.
“Friends who shared rounds with him remember his enthusiasm, positive attitude, and appreciation for every moment spent on the course. He celebrated the successes of others as readily as his own and was always willing to encourage fellow golfers, regardless of their skill level,” wrote McQuillan’s family, per the Kingston Whig-Standard.
Before reaching the professional ranks, McQuillan played collegiate golf at Oklahoma State, where he began his NCAA career in 2000 before later transferring to the University of Georgia.
Golf Canada also paid tribute to the former tour pro following news of his death.
“Matt McQuillan’s golf story began in Kingston, Ont., and no matter where the game took him, Kingston remained at the heart of it. Golf Canada joins the Canadian golf community in mourning the passing of McQuillan,” stated Golf Canada on its official website.
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