Jack Newton

Career

In 1950, Newton was born in Cessnock, New South Wales.

In 1969, he turned professional. He was one of Australia's most successful golfers in the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1972, he won the Dutch Open and the Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf in successive weeks. In 1974, he won the Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship, beating Cesar Sanudo in the final. Later in 1974, he lost in a playoff for the New Zealand Open. In 1978, Newton won the Buick-Goodwrench Open on the PGA Tour. In Australia, he won the New South Wales Open in 1976 and 1979 and the Australian Open Championship in 1979.

At the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie in Scotland, Newton lost in a playoff to Tom Watson. In the third round, Newton set a course record of 65, despite having injured an ankle so severely on the practice tee prior to the start of the championship, that he had it professionally wrapped each day, and was subjected to pain-killing injections. In the final round, Newton was the leader during the back-nine but dropped shots in three of the last four holes. Watson holed a 20-foot putt for a birdie on the 72nd hole to tie Newton. In the 18-hole playoff on the following day, Watson defeated Newton by one stroke (71−72). Newton later said that the turning point in the playoff was when Watson chipped in for an eagle at the 14th hole.

Newton won the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit in 1979. He finished tied for second at the 1980 Masters Tournament, four strokes behind the winner Seve Ballesteros. In May 1983, Newton lost to Terry Gale in a playoff for the Western Australian Open.

Propeller accident

On 24 July 1983, during the height of his professional career, Newton had a near-fatal accident when he walked into the spinning propeller of a Cessna airplane from which he was getting off at Sydney Airport. He lost his right arm and eye, and sustained severe abdominal injuries. A severe rainstorm was in progress at the time, and in addition, safety aspects near the plane were deficient.

Immediately after the accident, doctors gave Newton a 50–50 chance of surviving. He spent several days in a coma and eight weeks in intensive care. After a prolonged rehabilitation from his injuries, Newton returned to public life as a television and radio golf commentator, newspaper reporter, golf course designer, public speaker and chairman of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation. He taught himself to play golf one-handed, swinging the club with his left hand in a right-handed stance. He typically scored in the mid-80s.

Personal life

Newton married his wife Jackie in 1974; they had two children, Kristie and Clint. Clint Newton played rugby league, while Kristie is also a professional golfer. In 2003, Newton was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, and was rushed to hospital.

He died on 14 April 2022 at the age of 72 due to health complications, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2020.

Awards and honors

• In 1979, Newton earned the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit.
• In 2007, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to golf, particularly through a range of executive, youth development, and fundraising roles.
• In 2016, Newton was inducted as a general member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Amateur wins

This list may be incomplete

• 1968 New South Wales Amateur
• 1969 Lake Macquarie Amateur

Professional wins (13)

PGA Tour wins (1)

PGA Tour playoff record (1–1)

Sources:

European Tour wins (3)

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

Sources:

PGA Tour of Australia wins (3)

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

Sources:

New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (1)

New Zealand Golf Circuit playoff record (0–1)

Source:

Other wins (5)

This list may be incomplete

• 1972 Amoco Forbes Classic
• 1974 Nigerian Open
• 1975 Sumrie-Bournemouth Better-Ball (with John O'Leary)
• 1976 Cock of the North, Mufulira Open

Results in major championships

CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1973 and 1974 Open Championships)

"T" indicates a tie for a place

Source:

Summary

Team appearances

Amateur

• Sloan Morpeth Trophy (representing Australia): 1969 (winners)
• Australian Men's Interstate Teams Matches (representing New South Wales): 1968, 1969 (winners)

References

References

1. (11 October 1969). "Devlin shares golf lead". [[The Canberra Times]].
2. (21 August 1972). "Sporting world". [[The Canberra Times]].
3. (16 September 1974). "Newton powers his way to title". [[The Glasgow Herald]].
4. (25 November 1974). "Gilder wins play-off". [[The Glasgow Herald]].
5. (20 June 1978). "Unknown North takes Open". [[The Canberra Times]].
6. (18 October 1976). "Newton beats aching legs for golf record". [[The Canberra Times]].
7. (5 November 1979). "Newton wins NSW Open". [[The Canberra Times]].
8. (19 November 1979). "Newton takes open by a shot". [[The Canberra Times]].
9. (18 July 1975). "The Battle of Britain".
10. (15 July 1975). "Modest Watson joins the great Ben Hogan". [[The Age]].
11. (15 April 1980). "Ballesteros takes US Masters with 13-under-par total". [[The Canberra Times]].
12. (23 May 1983). "Gale wins play-off". The Age.
13. Bolton, Matthew. (25 July 1983). "Jack Newton loses arm". [[The Age]].
14. Hagan, John. (June 2008). "Jack Newton: Whole Again".
15. (4 August 1983). "Newton 'Critical'". The New York Times.
16. (18 August 1984). "Newton Remains Close To Golf". [[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]].
17. Mossop, James. (15 July 2003). "Jack Newton's triumph over tragedy". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
18. (2 January 2003). "TV commentator Newton hospitalized with meningitis". ESPN.
19. (14 April 2022). "Jack Newton, Australian pro who turned tragedy into opportunity, dies at age 72".
20. Riordan, Joey. (15 April 2022). "Australian golfing legend Jack Newton passes away aged 72 after health complications". 7news.
21. Williams, Mark. (11 October 2016). "Newton to be inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame". PGA Tour.
22. Webster, Jim. (26 July 1968). "Champion, 18, youngest since Ferrier". The Sydney Morning Herald.
23. "History Lake Macquarie Amateur Championships". Belmont Golf Club.
24. "Buick Open Winners".
25. (18 December 1972). "Charge wins for Newton". The Age.
26. (22 February 1972). "Biggest win". [[The Canberra Times]].
27. (February 21, 1972). "Golf".
28. (25 February 1974). "Newton wins Nigerian Open". The Glasgow Herald.
29. (19 May 1975). "O'Leary and Newton storm home as Scots fade". [[The Glasgow Herald]].
30. (15 March 1976). "Late burst by Newton". [[The Glasgow Herald]].
31. (22 March 1976). "Newton Triumph". The Glasgow Herald.
32. Brenner, Morgan G.. (2009). "The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008". McFarland.
33. (4 September 1969). "Last Hole Wins Trophy". Sydney Morning Herald.
34. (18 November 1968). "Tasmania fights back for first win". The Age.
35. Stone, Peter. (25 August 1969). "Hartley loes to Donohoe – NSW wins". The Age.