Dana Quigley

He was the first Rhode Island native to reach the PGA Tour, doing so in 1978. He played four years on tour, but that proved to be only a footnote in his Horatio Alger-type career. He spent his prime years as a club pro, most prominently at Crestwood Country Club. Using his unique, short swing and what seemed like a different putter every day, he dominated the New England circuit, winning virtually every title in the region multiple times, including the Mass Open three times and the R.I. Open six times. He matched the record held by Les Kennedy with five titles in the New England PGA. His best years came after he overcame a battle with alcoholism. At age 50, he embarked on his long-planned attempt to play on the Senior PGA Tour. He competed at first as a Monday qualifier, but saw his world change on one memorable week in New York when he won the Long Island Classic on the same weekend his father, Wally, passed away. Wally Quigley had spent much of his time late in life working in Dana’s pro shop. He has since taken his career to new levels on the Senior Tour, winning four more tournaments and more than $4 million over the past four years. He has done it while not only professing a love for the game, but acting it out by playing more than 150 consecutive Senior Tour events, a streak that is still active.