One of the most successful golfers to ever come out of Manitoba died on Wednesday. Brandon’s Dan Halldorson passed away at the age of 63 after suffering a major stroke on Monday at his home in Cambridge, Illinois.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Dan Halldorson,” PGA Tour Canada president Jeff Monday said in a statement released by the tour. “whose lifetime of achievements in Canadian golf both as a player and a builder of what is now the Mackenzie Tour rank him among the greatest contributors to the game in the country’s history. As a player, Dan’s record ranks among the best of his generation, including one official PGA TOUR victory, seven Mackenzie Tour wins and two victories in the WGC-World Cup for Canada. His contributions to professional golf in Canada, however, go beyond his playing days, including a major role in the creation and later administration as Deputy Director of the Mackenzie Tour. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Halldorson was born in Winnipeg but was raised in Brandon. He turned pro in 1971 and his first professional tour victory was the 1971 Manitoba PGA Championship.
Halldorson was twice named Canada’s professional golfer of the year in 1981 and 1983. His only PGA Tour victory came in 1980 at the Pensacola Open and he amassed seven victories on the Canadian circuit over his career. In 2013 he became the director of golf at Oak Island Resort in Manitoba where we worked in the summer.
“On behalf of the entire golf community including the golfers, associations and fellow competitors whose lives he touched, we are saddened by the passing of Dan Halldorson.” Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons said in a media statement. “Dan’s accomplishments on the golf course and his contributions to the game were outstanding and although we are mourning his loss, his outstanding legacy deserves to be celebrated.”
Halldorson is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Angela, son Mark, and three grandchildren.
Halldorson’s Career Achievements
- 1970 Manitoba Junior champion
- 1971 Manitoba PGA champion
- 1977 Saskatchewan Open champion
- 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984 Manitoba Open champion
- 1980 Quebec Open champion
- 1980 Pensacola Open champion (PGA Tour)
- 1980 World Cup champion (with Jim Nelford)
- 1983 Canadian Tour Order of Merit winner
- 1985 World Cup champion (with Dave Barr)
- 1986 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic champion (PGA Tour)
- 1982 Colorado Open champion
- 1986 PGA of Canada Championship winner
- 28 top-10 finishes in 431 PGA Tour events
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