Gordon Douglas Fairbairn
January 29, 1937 - November 22, 2025
The PGA of BC regrets to share that longtime PGA of Canada professional Gordon Douglas Fairbairn passed away on November 22, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 88.
Born January 29, 1937, Fairbairn grew up in East Vancouver and caddied at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club. He joined the PGA of Canada in 1958, becoming a Class “A” Professional in 1962.
Fairbairn worked as an Assistant Professional at Vancouver Golf Club before accepting the Head Professional position at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in June 1966. He went on to serve as Head Professional and General Manager at Pitt Meadows Golf Club for over 25 years. His son, Warren Fairbairn, noted that his father worked practically every single day of his Head Professional role for more than two decades, a sacrifice made in service to his club and community.
As a competitor, Fairbairn’s accomplishments included winning the Western Invitational Open in 1970, capturing the BCPGA Match Play in 1973 and 1974 with Tom Moryson, and winning the Crown Life Pro-Am in 1982. Those victories were only some of the many achievements from Fairbairn’s professional career.
Warren said his father’s approach to life was to “keep it simple,” describing him as relaxed and composed. He said “keep it simple” reflected a meat-and-potatoes way of living that did not overcomplicate things, and that work, family, friends, and the odd vacation were enough to satisfy him. He also said Gordon was immensely proud of his family, along with the career he built through talent, hard work and passion.
Warren shared family memories from Gordon’s life: “Some of our cherished memories were at home sitting on his shoulders watching TV from his chair. Taking us fishing in Campbell River and Pender Harbour as kids. Going skating and playing hockey on the Pitt Meadows Golf Course ponds when it froze in the winters, having a bonfire party with the members and faculty and their families were great memories for us all.”
Fairbairn’s proudest moments, Warren said, were marrying his wife Audrey, having his two sons Darren and Warren, welcoming his daughter-in-law Carly into the family, and watching his grandchildren Briana and Kaitlyn grow into young adults.