Herb Paterson Celebration Of Life Fills Capilano
image courtesy PGA of BC
by Alfie Lau
If the measure of a man is the number of people he’s affected in his life, then the outpouring of support for Herb Paterson at his Celebration of Life held Tuesday afternoon at Capilano Golf and Country Club made the statement that Paterson is a beloved figure in the world of golf who will be greatly missed.
Paterson passed away on Feb. 24, having just turned 90 years old two weeks earlier.
Paterson had fought valiantly after being diagnosed with cancer and leaves behind sons David (Susan), Alan (Carolyn), daughter Carolyn (Marc); grandchildren Colin, Hilary, Alana and Rachel; his second wife of 16 years Emilie; and his Titleist family and legion of friends throughout the golf industry in Canada and the USA.
Paterson’s first wife, Dorothy, passed away in 1997, and he was also predeceased by son Gordy, 14.
Paterson had a remarkable, distinguished and enviable 48-year career as the exclusive distributor for Titleist, a business (Jim Morrison Ltd.) he purchased from his father-in-law.
Paterson started at Jim Morrison in 1957, and since his territory was Canada, he travelled all across the country by car to service his accounts.
Paterson would store Titleist, Bag Boy and Etonic products in his basement so that he could be as responsive to his customers as possible.
By 1960, Paterson had purchased the company from his father-in-law and started to put his own stamp on the business.
Paterson grew the business from a modest annual sales volume of $250,000 to $36+ million by acquiring the exclusive Titleist distribution rights to Fiji, Samoa, Guam, Alaska, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Hawaii, in addition to Canada.
In 1980, Paterson brought his son, David, into the business and they would continue growing the business until 1993, when Acushnet purchased his business.
For the next three years, Paterson would stay on as a consultant, finally retiring from the day-to-day grind in 1996. But Paterson would continue as an ambassador for the company, attending educational seminars and networking events to keep the Titleist name front of mind for golf professionals.
Paterson was also actively involved and instrumental in the development of the Predator Ridge Golf Club and Resort in Vernon, a partner in St. Andrews East and St. Andrews Valley golf courses in Ontario and he also became a director of the Bowen Island Golf Club.
Paterson was born in Vancouver, but because of his career, also lived in Trail, Toronto, Hawaii, Vancouver and Vernon. On retirement, Paterson made his permanent home on Bowen Island, while also keeping a residence in Vancouver.
Outside of golf, Paterson also distinguished himself. During the Second World War, Paterson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as Navigator with the rank of Pilot Officer.
After the war ended, Paterson attended the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Paterson was also an active outdoorsman. He was good friends with Sir Edmund Hillary, the first non-Sherpa to climb Mount Everest. Paterson would hike the Himalayas with Hillary in the mid 1980s.
In 1994, Paterson, 69, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. His friendship with Hillary led to Paterson becoming a director of the Sir Edmund Hillary foundation in 2005 until his passing.
Paterson also ran a number of 10- and 32-km races on the northern tip of Baffin Island, sailed all through the Pacific Northwest and downhill skied at many of the province’s finest resorts.
Paterson also enjoyed fine wines, establishing Club FRED with his friends. FRED is an acronym for French, Red, Exceptional and Dry.
Paterson was the first winner of the PGA of BC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and was also very proud of being made an honorary, lifetime member of the PGA of Canada.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com) or the Bowen Island Golf Club (www.bowengolf.com) for the Herb Paterson Memorial.