GolfNewsRI

Devon Quigley was an East Providence Townie. 

After leaving the New England Christian Academy, Quigley stepped onto the East Providence High School campus prior to the the start of his sophomore year in 1999. 

Then joined the golf team. 

“When he got to EP he decided to play golf to my benefit, he did, and he was a great kid, hit the ball well, hit his driver pretty good. He was a very good iron player and he could also putt. So yeah, he was an all-round very good golfer,” said East Providence Head Coach Bill McEnery in an interview with GolfNewsRI. 

Devon is the son of professional golfer Dana Quigley, who served as the Head Pro at Crestwood Country Club from 1983-1996, while making runs on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour over the years. 

Despite having a professional golfer for a father, Devon never took any shortcuts in the game. 

“Devon was somebody who appreciated the game very much he never took it for granted, even though his father was a pro, he worked at it. And it’s a game you have to work at. You don’t get better just because you’re Devon Quigley, son of Dana. So Devon worked at the game, and his mother seemed to enjoy watching him play and I did too. He’s a very good player,” said McEnery. 

During Quigley’s junior and senior seasons, the Townies lost just five matches, going 12-2 in 2001 and 11-3 in 2002, but could not wrestle the division title away from Barrington. 

“Devon was a late bloomer. He started to get serious about his game in between his junior and senior year in high school. He got much better during that time,” Challenge Cup’s Dave Adamonis told GolfNewsRI.

In those years, Quigley was named to the Providence Journal’s Second Team All-State in 2002 and the Coaches Association All-Division Team in 2001 and 2002. 

“I was very appreciative to have Devon on the team. He was always a Townie and he played for East Providence and not for himself, and that was key,” said McEnery. 

Quigley would and will remain a part of the team for many years to come. 

Always a Townie 

After graduating from East Providence, Quigley went on to play his college golf at the University of Rhode Island, following in his father Dana’s footsteps. 

Quigley graduated from URI in 2007 and played mini-tour golf, mostly down in Florida, looking to carve out a pro career of his own. 

“Devon was well-versed in the game. He did the right things, acted the right way. That was Devon,” said McEnery. 

Everything changed in November of 2011 when Quigley suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident and would be confined to a wheelchair the rest of his life.

In the weeks and months immediately after the accident, many in the golf community and beyond stepped up to support Devon and the family, including the East Providence golf team. 

“I used to always go see him when he was laid up and his mother (Charlotte) would always say, ‘you know, he’s gonna play golf again.’ She was a woman of deep faith and Devon was Devon,” said McEnery. 

In the following years, Quigley would attend East Providence golf matches either at Agawam Hunt or Metacomet and watch the squad tee off. 

“Charlotte would drive him down, take him out of the van. He would always watch the kids tee off the first hole, and he seemed excited and just enjoyed it. I always gave him whatever uniform we wore for that year, so I always made him part of the team. Last year after we found out that he passed away we dedicated the whole season to Devon,” added McEnery. 

East Providence wore a ribbon on their hats and had “Devon” imprinted on their team golf shirts for the 2024 season. 

The Townies golf team will benefit from the upcoming Devon Quigley Memorial Golf Tournament.

Devon Quigley Memorial Tournament 

The Devon Quigley Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on August 18 (his birthday) at Crestwood Country Club. 

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the University of Rhode Island and East Providence golf teams. 

“Bill McEnery is an institution in RI, well beyond being the East Providence golf coach. He literally saved the program and has mentored thousands, including Devon who was always so proud to be a Townie  and to have played for coach McEnery. Bill is showing equal devotion to Dev with all his work to make the Memorial Tournament a success,” said URI Head Coach Gregg Burke. 

Burke adds, “EP Golf will benefit from the proceeds as it should.” 

McEnery notes that he is hoping to have two to three teams in the tournament representing East Providence golf. 

“They are very nice to include East Providence in the tournament. We are going to benefit from it. And you know, we’re very proud to participate in this tournament,” said McEnery. 

For those looking to participate, donate or sponsor, email gburke@uri.edu. 

GolfNewsRI is the official media partner of the Devon Quigley Memorial Tournament.