Canadian golf great was ‘mentor to many’
Hall of fame golfer Dan Halldorson, who paved the way for the development of future Canadian talent with his triumphs in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at age 63.
Halldorson suffered a major stroke on Monday at his home in Cambridge, Ill., and passed away two days later.
Messages of condolence poured in from all over the golf community.
Canadian golfer Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers w/the Halldorson family! Sad news as Dan passed away last night! As genuine a man in professional golf and mentor to many.”
Canadian tour pro Graham DeLaet tweeted: “Such sad news. He was always so great to me and other young Canadian golfers. You will be missed, Dan. RIP.”
Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada president Jeff Monday said in a statement that Halldorson’s achievements as a player and builder “rank him among the greatest contributors to the game in the country’s history.” Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons said, “although we are mourning his loss, his outstanding legacy deserves to be celebrated.”
Halldorson was never one to exhibit the flash to become a crowd favourite.
“I’ve always been low-key, and I get so focused in some tournaments, I think some people think I’m grumpy,” he once said.
He also had a wry sense of humour, which led to one of the funniest and most enduring lines in sports.
He was the low Canadian at the 1994 Canadian Open at Glen Abbey, but he finished tied for 31st overall. That didn’t impress him. Reporters asked him how important it was to be the low Canadian in the tournament, and he shot back with this quip: “I think there’s too much hype over it. It’s like being the tallest midget.”
Halldorson turned pro in 1971 and claimed his first professional victory later that year in the Manitoba PGA Championship. A member of the PGA Tour from 1975 to 2004, the Winnipeg-born golfer collected victories at the 1980 Pensacola Open and 1986 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic.
At Pensacola, Halldorson finished with a 2-under 70 to beat Mike Sullivan and Gary Hallberg by two strokes.
The 1986 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic in Mississippi was an unofficial PGA Tour event.
Twice Halldorson won the World Cup for Canada; first with Jim Nelford in 1980 and then with Dave Barr to claim the 1985 title.
One of Canada’s most consistent players, Halldorson amassed seven victories on the Canadian circuit and was named a lifetime member in 2005.
Over 431 PGA Tour events, Halldorson recorded 28 top-10 finishes.
Halldorson is survived by his wife Patricia; daughter Angela; son Mark and three grandchildren. With files from Star wire services and the Star library