WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Devon Quigley, son of professional golfer Dana Quigley, was remembered Thursday as someone who lived his life to the fullest and for his courageous fight after a near-fatal car accident 12 years ago that brought his family closer to their faith.
Devon died Oct. 28, slightly more than 12 years after he collided with a truck in Riviera Beach. Dana said doctors and police told him his son had died twice that night on Nov. 30, 2011, but he survived.
The survival came with a price: Devon was confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak. Devon was 39. Dana said what helped him get through the ordeal was knowing Devon — and himself — had been baptized three weeks before the accident.
“I think the Lord blessed him by taking him up to heaven after an unbelievably courageous fight,” Dana said at his son’s Celebration of Life at Trump International Golf Club. “For 12 years, he didn’t move a muscle. When he got to heaven, I promise you he got a standing ovation. His fight and courage absolutely made us all think more about our journey with the Lord. I think that’s his legacy.
“He was my son, my best friend and my caddie, which probably only cost me two shots a round,” Dana continued, smiling. “I just know he’s in a better place.”
More than 100 guests were at the Celebration, many of them members at Bear Lakes Country Club, where the Quigleys have been longtime members. Former President Donald Trump stopped by beforehand to chat with Dana Quigley and his family. Trump and Dana play golf together about once a week.
Golf runs throughout the Quigley family. Dana won 11 times on the PGA Tour Champions, was the 2005 Player of the Year and played in 277 consecutive tournaments in which he was eligible. Devon’s cousin, Brett, is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions. And Brett’s father, Paul, is a top amateur.
They all remembered how Devon would always play aggressively on the course, whether it was trying to drive par-4 greens over the water or hitting driver off the deck on par-5s.
“That was Devon’s attitude to everything – full throttle, all the way,” said Brett Quigley, who was born 15 years to the day as Devon. “I can’t believe what everyone did to take care of Devon the last 12 years. I’m proud to be in this family.”
Devon and Dana Quigley pose for a photo before a round of golf.
One of the first people Dana called after the accident was former PGA Tour Champions chaplain Tom Randall, who spoke of Devon’s impact Thursday.
“How many people’s lives have been changed because of Devon’s accident than before Devon’s accident?” Randall said. “I don’t question the purpose of God, but I just saw it. He used Devon’s life to help bring more people to Christ.”
After the accident, Devon moved from West Palm Beach to his hometown in Rhode Island where his mother, Charlotte, sister, Nicole, and her husband, T.J. Poole, took care of Devon while Dana and his wife, Angie, stayed in daily communication. Dana wrote a Caring Bridge update every day since Devon’s injury, and he continues to do that.
Rhode Island Golf Program establishes Devon Quigley Courage Award
The Rhode Island Golf Program recently announced the establishment of the Devon Quigley Courage Award in honor of one of its former players. The award will be given to a member of the URI Golf Community who exhibits the courage and dignity in the face of challenge or illness that Devon did from the time of his accident to the time of his death.
In remembrance of Devon Quigley’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the URI Golf Ram Par Fund, which supports the URI men’s golf program. If you prefer to send a check, please include, “in memory of Devon Quigley” in the note section and mail it to the URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881.
Donations also can be made in Devon’s honor to Clinics Can Help, 2560 Westgate Avenue, West Palm Beach, 33409.