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Bob Jenkins

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Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« on: August 24, 2012, 09:13:42 PM »

Yesterday, Terry Donald, who has been the president and COO of Sagebrush, passed away suddenly at the yurt which has served as a pro shop the last 4 years. Terry had worked incredibly hard for the last several years to contribute to the success of Sagebrush and during the past year in particular, has taken this wonderful course and club to the "next level". He had recently sent me an email describing the satisfaction he experienced a week or so ago when they hosted a group of 24 golfers, who were from Golf Digest, in the cottages which had just been finished. Terry has worked incredibly hard and was just beginning to enjoy the fruits of his hard work.

Many GCAers have been to Sagebrush over the last 3 years and have met Terry and will appreciate his reoentless energy to see Sagebrush succeed. He and Dick Zokol have been friends, and originally neighbours, for many years and I know that Dick is devasated with the passing of his good friend.

I will be meeting Pete Pittock, our fellow GCAer and his friends up at Sagebrush tomorrow. The staff are shaken but they know Terry would have wanted to keep things going and so we will go to Sagebrush, shed a few tears and hug Don, Kim and the others who have worked so hard.

Terry

Bill_McBride

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2012, 09:24:40 PM »
I'm sure all the stress in getting Sagebrush where it is today was a major factor.  Terry was really passionate about the place, great guy you would want as your PM on any project.  His family is in our prayers.  Sagebrush is a super place and a tribute to Terry. 

Jim Johnson

Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2012, 09:35:12 PM »
Really sad news, Bob. I enjoyed meeting Terry when we first played at Sagebrush; he seemed like a real down-to-earth guy who had a great passion for Sagebrush, much like Dick.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Jim

Tom_Doak

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2012, 11:19:24 PM »
Bob:

Sad news indeed, and I'm sorry I will never get to meet Terry Donald.

On this site, we have often extolled the virtues of a management structure where a single visionary makes everything run better than any committee could.  The down side, which we never talk about, is just this.  I hope that Terry had time to groom someone to take over where he left off.

Richard Choi

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2012, 11:29:55 PM »
Man, this is a tough year...

Terry was a great ambassador for a great place. Terry teaching me how to cast a fly rod was one of the highlights from KP2012 for me.

My condolences.

John Kirk

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2012, 11:31:37 PM »
What grief.  Overwhelming.  I know at least one friend will shed a tear with me.  Bring it, Merle.  Celebrate a dreamer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMyXr6IF1A

« Last Edit: August 24, 2012, 11:40:29 PM by John Kirk »

Pete_Pittock

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2012, 12:16:56 AM »
Whew. Terry was there the first day I visited and every other day I've been here. He welcomed you, looked after you and made you feel like family. However good Sagebrush is, he made it better. I will miss him terribly, and my condolences to his family. RIP.

John Mayhugh

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2012, 08:43:57 AM »
What grief.  Overwhelming.  I know at least one friend will shed a tear with me.  Bring it, Merle.  Celebrate a dreamer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMyXr6IF1A

Nice selection, John.

You could really sense how special Sagebrush was to Terry, and for good reason.

Jeff_Mingay

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2012, 09:26:39 AM »
I really don't know what to say. Zokol called me with this terrible news Thursday night and I'm still numb.

Terry and I became good friends while working together daily throughout the development of Sagebrush. We've stayed in touch since 'cause Terry's a good guy. A smart, enthusiastic, and fun guy to be around. He was indeed a major driving force behind the development and operation of Sagebrush - Zokol's 'main man' since day one, when the idea for Sagebrush was hatched.  

I'm incredibly sadden by this news and can only wish his lovely wife, family, and friends all the very best moving forward.
jeffmingay.com

Philippe Binette

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2012, 10:17:21 PM »
This news hits like a ton of bricks...

Terry Donald was a man passionate about his dream. He was encouraging for everybody and the man who was able to bring everybody back together when opinions were divergent.

He lived by the phrase "work hard, play harder..." which to me is really about appreciating the moment.

Sagebrush has lost a great man.


Bob Jenkins

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2012, 10:44:59 AM »

I spent the day at Sagebrush on Saturday, playing with Pete Pittock and his buddies. They stayed up for another 36 today.

The staff are having a very hard time but they are carrying on as Terry would definitely have wanted it that way. Lots of hugs and tears but I think they find solice in continuing the dream, especially with the cottages now finished and Sagebrush having moved into a new stage.

Dick was there on Friday and spent time with all of the staff which, I am sure, helped.

The owners, Cal, Bob and Val, were all present and are assuring staff and everyone else that they will continue with the vision which Dick and Terry originally put together.  The building permit has been issued for the lodge, the Bugaboos putting green has been seeded and all else is in place.

As Scotty Mac said, Terry is still out near the Hideout, making sure everyone is having a great time up there. I believe it,

Kris Shreiner

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2012, 07:44:18 AM »
Heartfelt sympathy to all who are feeling the loss of Terry. It is never easy when someone with rare passion for people or a mission leaves us all too soon. I regret never making it up to Sagebrush yet, and now won't ever get the chance to meet him.  To Pete, and the others who knew him...remember all the good times shared and wonderful moments in his company!

I've followed the Sagebrush saga from afar, and lamented that it hasn't been an easy road...at all...for the venture. My hope is that this difficult time can somehow serve as a catalyst to success going forward. From all accounts, Terry was a tireless champion of the property and all it offers. RIP to a friend of the game who strived to live his dream everyday.

Respectfully,
Kris
"I said in a talk at the Dunhill Tournament in St. Andrews a few years back that I thought any of the caddies I'd had that week would probably make a good golf course architect. We all want to ask golfers of all abilities to get more out of their games -caddies do that for a living." T.Doak

Jim Franklin

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2012, 08:07:39 AM »
What a way to start my Monday morning. I only met Terry once, but his passion for Sagebrush was incredible. I enjoyed my time there as much as any place I have been to and I am saddened that I will never talk to Terry about how wonderful Sagebrush is again. My condolences to his family and friends and best wishes to all at Sagebrush and pray that Sagebrush will continue as Terry wanted.
Mr Hurricane

Philippe Binette

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2012, 03:35:54 PM »
This song feels right for Terry Donald.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYxY19C2NE

Will MacEwen

Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2012, 04:15:46 PM »
Nice pick John Kirk.  Sagebrush is a "tune me loose, set me free" kind of setting.

Terry sure gave the GCAers the run of the place in June.  It is very sad news.

Bob Jenkins

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2012, 04:28:44 PM »

Thank you John Kirk and Phillipe! Those songs really hit home.

John Kirk

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2012, 05:02:35 PM »
I also met Terry Donald only once, but it was just a couple months ago, on a sunny day with good friends, which ended with a delicious dinner at the yurt.  We had an iPod with a good selection of old music, and we played a few tunes while several of us, including Will, Rich, Pete, Pensacola Bill and Terry chatted at a high table after dinner.

I'm sad because he was too young, and he was brave, unafraid to chase his dream and take a chance.  Thanks to all for that memorable day, the day I hit a 7-wood 293 yards and bonded with friends miles from nowhere. 

Andrew Cunningham

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2012, 08:36:40 PM »
I met Terry Donald on my first visit to Sagebrush in the fall of 2009.  Although I hadn't planned on heading to the interior of British Columbia to check out what was certainly at the time one of the most talked about courses on this forum, but at the urging of several other panelists I decided to schedule a visit to see what all the hoopla was about.  Terry enthusiastically welcomed me upon my arrival, making me feel quite at home and providing reassurance that my cross continent journey was one I wouldn’t soon forget.

Terry was my escort that day and, although he didn’t play, he coached me shot by shot on my first go around at Sagebrush providing invaluable guidance on how to play certain holes, certain preferable shots, and most importantly recounting many rich and intriguing stories of how Sagebrush came to be one of Canada’s greatest golf experiences.  With two hours to go before dinner, I continued my Sagebrush orientation with another quick 18 while Terry went up to the Hideout to impart his legendary hospitality on the dozen or so other guests visiting that day.  As a so called “rater”, we are tasked with evaluating a golf course – not the facility, the people, or the service received.  But to discuss Sagebrush without mentioning the unique experience provided by the “Hideout” and in particular their incredibly charismatic team is like debating the importance of Augusta National without consideration for the intangibles that make Augusta, well Augusta.
 
A great evening of superb food, hospitality, and many laughs culminated in a Non-Regional membership for this golfer.  Although Terry encouraged me to call him in the morning should a slightly more sober Ontario resident come to the realization that a golf membership - 2500 miles and three time zones away – wasn’t all that practical.  I didn’t regret it then, and haven’t since, despite only visiting five times during my brief membership.   I’ll never forget my first Sagebrush experience and Terry Donald.  He is a central figure in those memories.  And although he probably had countless similar experiences entertaining new and prospect members, we shared a special moment that fall day on the 4th green that you can see for yourself in the photo galleries section on Sagebrush’s website http://www.sagebrushclub.com/main.html  (General Pictures, 7th photo across).  Thanks for the memories Terry.

Andrew

Jeff_Mingay

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2012, 08:50:19 PM »
Andrew,

You make a great point, thanks.

A BIG part of the distinctive 'Sagebrush experience' (was) indeed the hospitality that (Dick Z. and) Terry personally provided to all guests... in fact, it was the same while we were building the place; (Dick Z. and) Terry provided that same inspiring hospitality to Rod Whitman and I, and ALL of the people involved with creating Sagebrush, throughout its development.

Experiencing (Dick Z. and) Terry - brilliantly unique, fun, and inspiring individuals - was key to making a visit to Sagebrush so distinctive and memorable, in my opinion. Now, sadly, neither of them are around the place (for different reasons).

Long live Sagebrush.

Hopefully Terry (and Dick Z.) will never be forgotten there. I'm sure (they) won't.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2012, 08:56:11 PM by Jeff_Mingay »
jeffmingay.com

Ted Harris

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2012, 02:46:28 AM »
I only met Terry twice through GCA outings but really enjoyed his company and his approach to hospitality at Sagebrush . Still really gutted about his passing and at a loss for words knowing how excited Terry was about the design of the new clubhouse after he showed me the blueprints this past June.

My condolences to Bob J. and Pete P. who no doubt shared some wonderful times with Terry at the yurt formerly known as the Hideout

taken from The Sagebrush website :

Terry Donald (1950-2012) - On August 23, Terry Donald passed away suddenly at the Club that he played such a key role in developing. He was one of the original four co-founders who, in 2002, gave life to the vision that has become Sagebrush. Among his numerous contributions is the very special spot known as the Hideout - now renamed "Terry's Hideout" in his memory.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=terry-donald&pid=159516166#fbLoggedOut
« Last Edit: August 30, 2012, 02:47:59 AM by Ted Harris »

Garland Bayley

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Re: Very Sad News from Sagebrush
« Reply #20 on: September 02, 2012, 08:53:01 PM »
Sorry I missed this thread while on the road to a family wedding. Even sorrier to learn this sad news. Terry was A-1 top notch. My condolences to his family and to the Sagebrush family.
"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne