By DAVIS POTTER / Staff Writer

Hall Thompson, the man responsible for founding Shoal Creek Country Club and bringing three professional golf tournaments to its course, died Wednesday morning at the age of 87.

The cause of death was unknown.

Thompson also founded Thompson Tractor Co. in 1957 and worked through Thompson Realty Co., which led to the beginning stages of the development of the North Shelby country club.

Thompson was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2004.

“It is truly a sad day for not only Shoal Creek but for our city, state and nation,” representatives of Shoal Creek said in a written statement. “Shoal Creek has lost our founder and chairman and a dear friend we all loved, admired and respected so very much.

“Hall Thompson was Shoal Creek. He followed through with his dream with a little encouragement from his wife, Lucy, and continued playing a major role in the Club’s activities at the time of his death.”

Shoal Creek hosted the Professional Golf Association Championships in 1984 and 1990, and U.S. Golf Association’s U.S. Amateur tournament in 1986.

The course will host the Regions Tradition, another PGA event, next year.