September 4, 1939, to November 27, 2012
Long-time Vancouver Island resident and CPGA golf professional David Charles (Dave) Ewart, 73, passed away Nov. 27, 2012, at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, B.C.
Dave was born in New Westminster, B.C., to Aubrey (Mac) and Ina Ewart. A well-known golf instructor, Dave was resident club and teaching pro at Vancouver Island courses from Port Hardy to Sooke. As an exceptional junior player Dave began winning golf tournaments at Delta’s Beach Grove Golf Club, where his mother and father, both tournament-winning amateur players themselves, fostered his love of the sport. In the early 1960s Dave transferred this passion to Vancouver Island, turning pro in his twenties after two years at the University of Western Washington and jobs as a timekeeper at a logging camp in the Queen Charlotte Islands and with the Bank of Montreal at branches in Victoria, B.C., and Watson Lake, Yukon.
Throughout his life Dave loved travel, and he spent several winters in California and in Sedona, Arizona, where he studied with influential golf instructor Chuck Hogan. Dave also travelled to Australia and New Zealand, where he engaged his love of fly-fishing. In his travels he exercised his passion for photography, capturing stunning memories on film.
Teaching golf was Dave’s true gift and passion. Dave spent more than 40 years as a Class A CPGA professional and made many friends, whom he kept for life. He never missed an opportunity to touch base with long-time golf colleagues and students, even if he was just “passing through.” Without exception, Dave was generous with his time and professional knowledge.
Late in life Dave reconnected with childhood friend, who would become love of his life, Marlene Guillot, who sadly predeceased him earlier this year. Dave enjoyed the close of his life in Victoria, B.C., with his daughter, Christine (Marcus), and treasured his special bond with brothers Alan (Annemarie) and Clarence (Grace). He will be sadly missed by niece Kim (Rob) and nephews Michael (Maggie) and Justin (Amelia) and their families; the Grant (Marilyn), Hayes and Fedoruk families; and by dear friends on the Island and mainland, in California and Japan. Dave is predeceased by his parents, his brother Brian, and his loving partner, Marlene.
Dave’s family thanks the exceptional care teams at Gorge Road Hospital and the RJH and Cumberland dialysis units, Drs. Rene Weir and Anthony Booth, Dave’s wonderful social workers in Victoria and Nanaimo, and the RJH 4 South Care Hub team for their respectful and compassionate care.
A celebration of Dave’s life will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 2:30 pm at Crown Isle Golf Resort, 399 Clubhouse Drive, Courtenay, B.C. For further information, email daveewartcelebration@gmail.com.
Donations in Dave’s name may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, British Columbia Branch Office, #200 – 4940 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 4K6 or the Canadian Diabetes Association, #276 – 2950 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC, V8T 4N4. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Lynda Keele and Mulligan's staff
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Jerry Carter I am saddened by the news of Dave’s passing. He and his dad were the first teachers I had in Campbell River as a beginning golfer many years ago. He was a passionate professional when it came to our mutually loved game. A few years after getting me, and many friends, started down the fairways, I was fortunate to meet him again as the head pro at Port Alberni Golf Course when I played the West Coast Open. He won the pro’s side of the tournament rather handily that year.
Again, many years after that, when visiting my family in Campbell River, we once again connected when I went to play Sequoia Springs Golf Course, and he was out with another young protegee, teaching him as he had taught us many years before.
I know that Dave is somewhere he can continue to lend his expertise to those wanting to learn the game of golf, so I will say, finally, I hope to meet you again, Dave, when my time comes to chase golf balls down the fairways in the great beyond.
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Jenny Lavery I will miss Dave. He was my golf instructor and helped my game a lot. He told me how he loved to share his knowledge of golf with others. It took me a long time to track him down (I live in Comox) and I was saddened to hear of his last illness. When I tee up my golf ball I know flashed of his tips will forever come to my mind. Thanks, Dave. I will never forget you.
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Cumberland Dialysis Staff We were saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a wonderful, caring man who we still miss. We hope his last months in Victoria with his daughter were happy ones.
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Rick Fortunaso I was very sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Mac and Dave were huge influences on me as a young man, Mac originally teaching me the game and Dave as a mentor, teacher and friend for many years thereafter. I was so fortunate that his enjoyment of the game was passed onto me through his enthusiasm for teaching. One of my best memories happened just a couple of years ago while practicing at a range in North Vancouver. I heard a familiar voice, and looked down to see someone sitting teaching a young Japanese gentleman and it was Dave who I hadn’t seen for many years. After a quick reconnection Dave slid down a few stalls to take up a perch behind me and it was just like it was the 1970’s again. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
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George Girling With sadness, I read of Daves passing this morning. We both attended Como Lake high school back in the 50s. I was never in the same bracket as Dave, who used to caddy at the Vancouver
Golf club, I always thought him a very clever guy but he still invited me to his family home in Maillardville many times. A mutual friend, a few years ago, renovated the old home and is now the Musuem there. When I pass it on occasion, I always wondered where Dave was and what he ended up doing with his life. Obviously, he continued his love….Golf. Wish I had connected with him, he surely would have tought me the finer points. I sympathize with the family and count myself lucky to have been a friend many years ago.
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Marilyn Saville To Dave’s family, I offer my heartfelt sympathy. Dave was once my brother-in-law, married to my sister Anne, and have fond memories of family gatherings.
We at Mulligans Golf Course were very sad to hear of Dave’s passing and had wondered where he was in the last year of his life. Such sad news to hear. He was a very kind and generous man, who truly did love the game of golf. He was always in the know of who was winning in any pro tournament that was going at the time. It is with saddness that I (Lynda) will not be here to attend his memorial service at Crown Isle, but please know we cared a great deal for Dave and he will be missed.