Quinn Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
CRANSTON – The Rhode Island High School Golf State Championship had just concluded Wednesday at Cranston Country Club and all the awards were handed out to the winners. Family, friends, teachers and coaches congratulated all the players for an impressive 2024 season, but the loudest ovation was saved for Cameron Quinn.
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League surprised Quinn with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 25-plus years of dedication to the sport and the student/athletes. He retired last season as the West Warwick golf coach, so the RIIL felt it was fitting to present Quinn with this award on the sport’s biggest stage – the state championship – that he helps organize and run.
Rhode Island Golf Coaches Association president Marc Brocato presented Quinn with the award.
The plaque read: The Rhode Island Golf Coaches Association would like to recognize Cameron Quinn for over 25 years of dedication, service, commitment and passion to high school golfers throughout Rhode Island. In many ways, Cameron has been instrumental in elevating RIIL golf to the level we currently see today. Never one for attention, most all things involving Cameron are behind the scenes but vital to the success of the league. There is only one way to do things in Cam’s world: the right way. We wish him well in retirement from his coaching duties and will be forever indebted to him for all he has done for Rhode Island High School Golf. Thanks, Pally. 2024
Quinn was genuinely thankful for the recognition.
“I’m no stranger to hard work and I love what I do,” he said. “I like to give a little something back because the game of golf has been very good to me. The people in the game are great.”
While he admitted the honor was a bit unexpected, he wasn’t surprised by the accolade because the RIIL is a close community.
“It’s much appreciated,” Quinn said.
The Quinn name is synonymous with the sport in Rhode Island. Ronnie Quinn, Cameron’s father, is considered one of the best amateur golfers in the state. In fact, both Ronnie and Cameron are past Rhode Island Golf Association presidents. Ronnie was inducted into the inaugural class of the Rhode Island Golf Hall of Fame in 2001. He won five State Amateur titles – 1956, 1962, 1966, 1967 and 1971. He also won the Northeast Amateur in 1964 and 1965.
Golf runs through Quinn’s bloodline and Cameron continues that tradition of giving back to the game.
“I wasn’t given the gift of golf like my dad, but I tramped around with him as a kid to tournaments as long as I can remember,” he said. “You meet the nicest people in the game of golf . . . We all learned the game (as caddies) lugging a bag for the people who came before us. Young people don’t have that experience as much anymore. It’s just different today.”
Quinn is especially proud of his family’s history in the game and he believes current West Warwick High School golf coach Mike Ouellette is ready to carry on that tradition. It’s also fitting that he was on the West Warwick High team during Quinn’s first year as coach.
“He has that feeling for history and tradition in the game, so I think we’re passing it down in good hands,” Quinn said.
The future of the game in Rhode Island was on display this week during the High School State Championship and Quinn is pleased with the direction the game’s advancing.
“The future of the game is bright, especially at the competitive level,” he said. “These kids are just better. There are more kids (playing) and they’re better. Golf used to be a closed club, but now it’s open to a lot of new people.”