Devon Quigley: Stories from The Metacomet Years + More
As we get set for the second annual Devon Quigley Memorial Golf Tournament in less than a week, GolfNewsRI compiled a series of stories about Devon.
The stories are told by friends, family members, and coaches.
Eugene Disarro
“Devon is the only person is the only person to drive the green on 8 and 11 and made eagle on both holes at Metacomet.
11th hole he flew it to the road. My best drive ever I couldn’t get to the road, he flew it to the road, it bounced and he made the putt.”
Disarro + Paul Quigley
“Devon, Dana, Paul and I, played together and we get to the 2nd hole at Metacomet and me and Paul hit first and Devon was long, you know, he punted it.
He gets up and rips it over the water – you had to carry the ball 275 to clear the water, but you were still in the hazard. It was 290 to edge of fairway.
Devo rips this ball and his father looks at him and says “son, that’s the dumbest play I’ve ever seen.”
“Devon whispers loud enough to me (Paul) and said ‘that’s cause he can’t do it.”
Dana hears him, turns around and walks back to the tee. He tees it up and puts it over the water.
Dana turns and looks at Devon and says ‘I’ve made $12 million playing this game and there is nothing that I can’t do with a golf ball better than you…. But it’s still a lousy decision.”
Devon’s Metacomet 63 – Paul Quigley
“Devon and I used to play money games and Dana used to get mad at me ‘saying your robbing from Devon’, but I never actually took the money.
I started a tab with Devon and that used to piss him off because he didn’t like owing me money. Dev was a cocky little bugger.
Our usual bet was a $1 a shot, no big money, but I used to tell him all the time, play medal play, it will make you a better player.
I convinced him that was the way to go because he would make a few birdies but he would make sixes.
He went out and a shot legit, everything in the hole, 63. I shot 71 and had to pay him $8. I think he had me sign the money. I said you little – – you know what.
It was a non-competitive course record.”
Bill McEnery – East Providence High School Coach
“He enjoyed playing Metacomet. In fact, he held the course record there, shooting 63. That was after he left East Providence High School.
On his birthday, I went over to Metacomet and got his scorecard and made a copy of it, put it in a frame and I presented that to Dana. This was after his accident. Dana was very much appreciative that I gave him the scorecard.”
Read More about Devon at East Providence High School HERE
Gregg Burke – URI Golf Coach
“It was Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and I was going to watch URI play basketball at Brown. After early dinner with a friend at Metacomet, we walked past the trophy case by the side door and I pointed out a scorecard showing that Devon Quigley had the course record.
Less than five hours later he had suffered a traumatic brain injury and his life, as well as all who loved him (and little did anyone know, the lives of thousands he had never met), changed forever.
It was inconceivable, both the accident and him surviving it.”
Read More from Gregg Burke HERE
South Florida Father-Son Tournament – Paul Quigley
“Dana, Devon, Brett and I would play in a father-son tournament in south Florida.
The first year Brett and I won it so now we are in the second year.
Brett would ride in the golf cart with Devon and I would ride with Dana.
We loved each other, but not enough to ride in a cart together.
Anyway, this tournament was true alternate shot, we would split the even and odd holes.
Brett hit it right down the middle. I can’t reach so I hit short.
Devon has 250 to the green and he doesn’t make a great swing and he puts it out to the right. He turns to his dad and says “what’s over there dad?” and without missing a beat, Dana says “bogey or double bogey.”
Devon was so mad, the back of his neck got red. He couldn’t stand it.”
Gregg Burke
“I did make the career mistake of inviting Dev to practice at Point Judith. Charlotte had told me that a couple times when they were driving near URI or Point Judith, Dev would spell my name because he thought they would see me. So we made it official and invited him to practice.
After about an hour, it was time to say goodbye. The guys were great listening to a few stories and treating Dev like the former Rhody star he was. You could ask Dev a question and to say ‘yes’ he would look up, and to say ‘no’ he would look down.
I made clear it would not be the last time he would come to practice. And I turned to Dev and said: ‘would you like to come back and see me and the guys?’. Devon looked down and made a sound to indicate ‘no’.
The Force (Charlotte) jumped forward and sternly said: ‘Devon Quigley, after all coach and the team did for you, do you want to come back and see Coach Burke and the team?’. Again the flop of blonde hair tilted downward with another ‘no’.
Charlotte was aghast. I told her I would handle this. I looked at Devo and asked: ‘Dev, would you like to come to practice and see the guys if it was a day I WASN’T here? That head moved slightly north and his eyes flew to the heavens and he chortled his approval of the idea.
It was perfect Devon. He made sure he got in one more shot and had the last laugh.”
Read More from Gregg Burke HERE
2026 Devon Quigley Memorial Golf Tournament
The second annual Devon Quigley Memorial Golf Tournament is set for August 17 at Crestwood Country Club.
Proceeds benefit the East Providence and University of Rhode Island Golf Team.