Angus Glen Golf Club owner Gordon Stollery, whose courses won basically every award in the business, passed suddenly today while in the Bahamas. Details are few at this time. He was 64.
Stollery, along with his sister, took over Angus after the passing of their father, Art. Under Gordon and Laurie, the course became the preeminent corporate golf facility in Canada, host to hundreds of tournaments and charity events. Gordon eventually bought out his sister, and his daughter, Cailey, now runs the facility. Gordon also owned Goodwood, a very private course near Uxbridge that has never opened officially as either a public or private club.
His courses hosted two Canadian Opens, the last in 2007. The second open was contentious, and Davis Love III was brought in to redesign the course. Stollery acquired both Canadian Opens, paying money to host the events, something unheard of until that point.
Stollery was a huge success in the Calgary oil patch, first with Morrison Petroleum and then with High Pine. He also had significant success with the real estate surrounding Angus Glen.
I spoke with Stollery on numerous occasions — about his courses, about Goodwood and about the Canadian Open. He was a big man — always a bit larger than life. I still recall bumping into him a few years back in the fall as he was preparing to take a group of guys up to Goodwood for a game. “If the weather is good, we should play together up there,” he said. Never happened, and now I’m sorry it didn’t.
Update: Lots of media coverage of Stollery’s death today, though none really explains what happpend. The Toronto Star has a quick hit on the news, as does the Wall Street Journal. Other reports have suggested Stollery died while snorkeling.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
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This is incredibly sad news, he was one of the most likable, generous, and visionary people that I have ever met. He was a true role model. The world is less a great man and heaven is a better place today. My condolences to his family
Incredibly sad news indeed. We at Love Golf Design enjoyed our time with Mr. Stollery and everyone at Angus Glen. We respect his passion for the game and were happy to be a small part of his legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Very sad news indeed – Angus Glen set the standard for service at CCFAD courses in Ontario. I wonder what will become of Goodwood?
Gordon Stollery was a great gift to Canadian golf. He personified the true spirit of the game and more importantly was a great person. He was loved and will very much be missed.
Mr. Stollery was a great man who gave many young people a start in the working wold. He would always offer his support and guidance to his employees. Mr. Stollery made us all feel like family. He instilled his commitent to community in his chidren who will undoubtedly carry his legacy.
I was lucky enough to spend a good portion of a day this summer with Gord up at Goodwood. He was very proud of the course and rightfully so. I was looking forward to finding out his plans for the course.
He teased me with some thoughts but I was never sure if I was hearing “the plan” or if it was just Gord testing the waters.
I’ll miss him very much, he was a fun to spend time with on or off the course.
I was very fortunate to hired by Mr Stollery, (Gord) in 1987 at Morrison Petroleums. I worked for him ten years and always felt that was the apex of my 30 year career in the Oil Exploration Business. A very humble man and will be greatly missed.
Very sad news indeed. Far to young to go! When I was with Carrick Design I had the pleasure of chatting with Gord more than a few times while we were building Angus North. He had some very defined thoughts on architecture but he always listened to what I had to say, even when it meant removing some trees
. I remember playing 9 holes with him during the Carrick Challenge a few years back. Clearly he could play and from what I’ve learned of his playing days at Rosedale, he was a top amateur in his day. Obviously golf was a passion in his life.
My thoughts are with his family….