BRISBANE, Australia — Jack Newton, who misplaced to Tom Watson in a 1975 British Open playoff and tied for second behind Seve Ballesteros on the 1980 Masters earlier than his skilled golf profession resulted in a near-fatal plane propeller accident, has died. He was 72.
Newton, who had been affected by Alzheimer’s illness, died early Friday on account of “well being problems,” his household stated in a press release.
“(He) was a fearless competitor and iconic Australian, blazing a formidable path throughout his skilled golfing profession,” his household added. “He fought again from super adversity as solely he may.”
Newton received the U.S. PGA Tour’s Buick Open in 1978 and the Australian Open in 1979 and three tournaments in Europe earlier than his profession —- and practically his life — ended when he walked into the propeller of a small aircraft he was about to board at Sydney airport on July 24, 1983.
His proper arm was severed, he misplaced sight in his proper eye and in addition sustained extreme accidents to his stomach. Docs gave him solely a 50-50 likelihood of surviving, and he spent practically two months in intensive care and required prolonged rehabilitation from his accidents.
“Issues weren’t trying too good for me. I knew that from the priest strolling round my (hospital) mattress,” Newton stated later. He was 33 on the time of the accident.
Regardless of his near-death expertise, Newton and his jovial character returned to public life. He grew to become a well-liked tv, radio and newspaper golf commentator, golf course designer and chairman of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Basis, which raised tons of of hundreds of dollars for golf’s up-and-coming gamers in Australia.
The muse’s annual match attracted a who’s who of celebrities and professional golfers in Australia, most of whom dressed up in outlandish costumes as inspired every year by Newton.
To not be denied from taking part in the sport he beloved, he taught himself to play golf one-handed, swinging the membership along with his left hand in a right-handed stance. He commonly had scores within the mid-80s for 18 holes. That interprets to a handicap of about 12 or 14, one that the majority able-bodied newbie gamers would aspire to.
Newton turned skilled in 1971 on the European Tour and received his first occasion, the Dutch Open, the next yr. Every week later, he received one other match at Fulford, England and, in 1974, the tour’s match play championship.
The Australian’s playoff loss within the 1975 British Open at Carnoustie got here after Watson had a number of quite fortuitous photographs. A wire fence stored Watson’s ball in bounds on the eighth gap and the American chipped for eagle on the 14th to assert the Claret Jug by a shot over Newton.
“I at all times felt that if I got here into a serious with some good kind, then I might be harmful,” Newton had stated. “That’s the best way I performed golf. As soon as I acquired my tail up I wasn’t afraid of anyone.”
Newton is survived by his spouse, Jackie, and two kids, Kristie and Clint, and 6 grandchildren.
Kristie was a professional golfer and Clint Newton, who was born in Hilton Head, South Carolina, performed rugby league in Australia and Britain and represented the USA on the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
“His ardour for sport and contributing to future generations of golfers and the Australian group demonstrates the character of our father, beloved husband, proud brother, adoring grandfather, and maverick mate,” his household stated within the assertion.
Post a Comment