Allan Stewart

Allan Lee Stewart, Former PGA Professional at Cummaquid Golf Club, 86

Allan L. Stewart of Cedarville (Plymouth), MA passed away peacefully on October 22 at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, surrounded in his final days by his loving family. He was born on November 21, 1935 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada to Mark and Helen Stewart. Allan was a lifetime member of the Professional Golfers’ Association and a renowned, beloved figure in the golf community on Cape Cod, in all of New England, and in Atlantic Canada.

As a boy, Allan was a solid hockey player who developed a talent and love for golf, playing at Abercrombie Country Club, where he won several amateur events. He attended and graduated from New Glasgow High School. During those high school years, his friend’s sister, Jeannie MacDonald, caught his eye. The two soon became an item, enjoying dates ice skating arm-in-arm in New Glasgow’s outdoor rink. Legend has it they were unbeatable on the 1950s dancefloor; as he put it: “jitterbug champions.”

Allan and Jeannie married in 1959 and moved to Chelmsford, Massachusetts where Allan first worked as a milkman. He loved to recount the story of how he applied to the milkman position without a driver’s license. The boss was so impressed by Allan’s gumption, he taught him to drive, brought him to the RMV for the test, and when he passed it, gave Allan the job.

But a career in golf was Allan’s goal, and when the assistant professional position at Concord’s Nashawtuc Country Club became available in 1961, he got his second break. As he retold it, Allan showed up with skill and passion for the game, but without an appointment for an interview. But he was the only candidate who wore a shirt and tie—which got him in the door to secure the job. And just in time, because his son, Paul—the first of seven children—had been born earlier that year. Second son, Jeffrey, would soon join them.

Allan loved Canada, and throughout the early 1960s, he returned when he could to play in the fall golf tour in the Maritimes. It was during that time when he also bonded stateside with fellow Canadian expat, Tom Johnson, over another sport Allan loved: hockey. Johnson was a Boston Bruins player who later became coach and assistant general manager and led the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup in 1972. Through this connection, Allan met and befriended some of the players, and was proud to attend many Bruins games with his sons, all of whom played hockey. It was Allan’s great honor to later be invited to play with the Bruins alumni team at an exhibition game at the Cape Cod Coliseum.

By 1963, Allan moved on to the head golf club professional job at White Cliffs Golf Club in Cedarville (Plymouth), where he and Jean also found and purchased their first home. By that time, Darren was on the way, and before Allan moved on to his next post, Brian, Elise, and Michelle were born.

During that period, in November 1965, Allan was also elected to membership in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA), an honor he cherished. After his full career, he would gain the PGA distinction of Life Member Century.

In 1970, Cummaquid Golf Club on Cape Cod welcomed Allan Stewart as its new head professional. Having found his home in the golf business, he dedicated the next 37 years to serving a thriving membership of more than 300. Always impeccably dressed, Allan was confident, handsome, and charismatic—and always hard working. His pro shop was well appointed, and he worked every weekend and most weekdays from dawn to dusk. As a club professional, he was a general manager, golf teacher, tournament organizer, retail salesman, concierge, and master of ceremonies. He was also friend to the many members he served.

When his children were just old enough, he brought them to work—including late addition, Christopher, born in 1978. The kids learned to play golf, but also to work hard at cleaning clubs, picking up balls, and other jobs. Along with Jean’s love, resourcefulness, and hard work at home, Allan always attributed the foundation for his children’s success in life to their upbringing in golf. He was also grateful to have them close and watch them grow up, taking great pride in their every achievement on and off the golf course. He taught them everything he knew, and the boys soon racked up their own amateur wins. A few of his kids went on to careers in golf as players, sales representatives, or golf professionals.

Allan recognized his good fortune and all the breaks he got along the way, giving back whenever he could. He hosted groups of adult and junior golfers from New Brunswick consecutive years, facilitated their golf experience and lessons, and entertained them at his home. He gave children’s golf clinics for the members’ kids in the summer and mentored other young golfers. Notables included players like Jeff Lewis, who later played on the PGA Tour, and a young Darren Ritchie who went on to win the Canadian Amateur and later in life, the Canadian Senior Amateur. Add to that Steve Spencer, who first worked at Cummaquid as a teen, moved into the assistant pro role in 1999, and later succeeded Allan as head pro.

It was during the Cummaquid years that Allan and family were named Southeastern Massachusetts Golf Family of the Year (1988), and when he won 1996 New England Professional Golfers’ Association (NEPGA) Professional of the Year. At his retirement celebration in July 2007, he received numerous accolades for distinguished service to the game, with an enviable written tribute from Arnold Palmer. The club even named a street leading to Cummaquid after him. A year later, in 2008, he was also honored by his Nova Scotia home when he was inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame. Later on, he was named Honorary Captain for the 2013 Maritime Senior Challenge.

Allan spent his retirement either playing golf, watching golf, or thinking about the next time he was going to play golf. He also enjoyed spending time with Jean at their family home, keeping up with the Boston Bruins, and spending time with his kids. He delighted in gatherings that included his 12 grandchildren and more recently, two great-grandchildren.

Allan joins his deceased mother and father, Helen and Mark Stewart, sister Shirley Murdock, brother Russell Stewart, and son-in-law Wade Callander. He leaves behind his sister Helen McLeod of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and brother Herbie (Margie) Stewart of Greenwood, Nova Scotia; his loving wife, Jean, of Cedarville; son Paul Stewart (Dori), of Mashpee and children Ashley Stewart, of Washington D.C., Danielle (Jeremy) Russell and their children Brooklyn and Peyton Russell, of Rockland; and Lindsey Stewart, of Rockland; Jeff (Jennifer) Stewart, of Pembroke, and children Alec, of Arlington, Nicholas and Zachary, of Pembroke; Darren (Jackie) Stewart, of Sandwich; Brian (Elizabeth) and their daughter Madison Stewart, of Orlando, FL; Elise Callander and her children Michael and Nicole Callander, of Duxbury; Michelle Stewart (Emmanuel Ording) and their children Charlotte, Fiona and Sylvie Ording, of Duxbury; and Christopher Stewart (Mandy Harwood), of Brighton.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cummaquid Golf Club (35 Marstons Lane Yarmouth Port, MA) on November 10, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. All who were dear to, or appreciated Allan Stewart, are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, MA.