Moe Norman

Moe Norman

Born: July 10th, 1929 in Kitchener, Ontario

Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, in 1929, Norman developed his golf from childhood at the Rockway municipal course in that city, starting as a caddie in his pre-teen years. He refined his skills competing against talented area players such as Gary Cowan and Gerry Kesselring. Norman spent most of his playing career in poverty. He spent many winter setting pins in a bowling alley for a few cents a line.

Norman's first win was in 1949, when he won a one-day amateur event at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club.

Norman won back-to-back Canadian Amateur Championships in 1955 and 1956. He turned professional in 1957 and played briefly on the PGA Tour, but due to shyness, bullying he encountered from certain pros, and a preference to stay in Canada, he stayed primarily in Ontario rather than travel extensively outside Canada. In the 80s, Norman also played several events on the Senior PGA Tour.

Late in his life, Norman found better financial security when Natural Golf, an instruction company, and Titleist, a major golf manufacturer, signed him to a lifetime contract after he allegedly told a reporter, "Titleist never did nothing for me." Moe would often perform golf exhibitions across Canada – Wally Uihlein, president of Titleist considered Moe's lifetime contract a "Reverse Scholarship".

Norman died in 2004 in a Kitchener hospital from congestive heart failure, having suffered from the condition since heart bypass surgery six years earlier. He also had a heart attack two years before his death.

Victories:

  • Ontario Open 1958 ,1963 
  • Saskatchewan Open 1963, 1968
  •  Alberta Open 1966, 1971, 1976
  • Quebec Open 1966
  • PGA of Canada 1966, 1974
  • Millar Match Play Championship 1964
  • PGA of Canada Seniors 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987
  • Winner of +150 one day ProAms (low Professional)

Career:

  • Briefly played on the USPGA Tour 1953
  • Is widely regarded as “the best ball-striker who ever lived”. His clinics were exceptional as he hit many exotic ‘trick’ shots but all with conventional clubs.
  • Held 33 course records.

Hall of Fame Induction History:

  •  Canadian Golf Hall of Fame 1985
  • Ontario Golf Hall of Fame 2000
  • PGA of Canada Hall of Fame 2014
  • Canadian Sports Hall of Fame 2006
  • PGA of Ontario Hall of Fame 2020

Source: PGA of Canada Hall of Fame / Golf Ontario Hall of Fame /Canadian Golf Hall of Fame