News

‹ Back to Awards News

The Association is proud to announce the late Herb Paterson as the newest Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for the PGA of Alberta. Herb was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors to become the second recipient of this prestigious Award in the Industry Pillar, following Jack Skellern who received the honour in 2014.

About Herb Paterson…
Born in 1925, Herb Paterson is probably best known for his salesmanship, having bought out his father-in-law’s Titleist distributorship in the early 1960’s. Herb started at Jim Morrison Ltd. in 1957, and since his territory was Canada, he travelled across the country by car to service his accounts. He had a remarkable, distinguished and enviable 48-year career as the exclusive distributor for Titleist.

Herb 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. He would store Titleist, Bag Boy and Etonic products in his basement so that he could be as responsive to his customers as possible.

In 1980, Herb 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, Herb would stay on as a consultant, finally retiring from the day-to-day grind in 1996. But Herb 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.

Herb started the Alberta - BC professional team matches that included the seniors and the ladies, which was a great way for Professionals in the two provinces to get together and exchange ideas.

Before Acushnet bought the business, Herb sponsored the PGA of Alberta Assistants’ Championship Pro-Am which was always well attended. Herb supported Association events, got to know all the Golf Professionals in the area and would give them free golf balls.

After Acushnet took over, he never stopped participating in PGA of Alberta events; attending the Buying Show, Spring Seminar and always spending his own money to remain connected.

Named Honourary Life Member by the PGA of Canada in 2008, Herb was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the British Columbia Zone in 2001.

Outside of golf, Herb also distinguished himself. During the Second World War, Herb 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.

On Feb. 24, 2015, Herb peacefully passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer, having just turned 90 years old two weeks earlier. He was survived by sons David, Alan, daughter Carolyn; 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.

Click Here to watch PGA of Alberta Member and former Association President John D. Wilson (Priddis Greens G&CC) presenting the Award who had a close relationship with Herb.

Click Here to view past Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients with the PGA of Alberta.