Jack Newton obit

Australian golfing legend Jack Newton dies aged 72

 

 He was not on the list.

Australian golfing great Jack Newton has died, aged 72.

Newton, the 1979 Australian Open champion, died overnight due to "health complications", his family says.

Newton's Australian Open victory was one of three triumphs on the Australian tour — he also won once on the PGA Tour and was a three-time winner on the European Tour.

However, in July 1983, tragedy struck.

Aged just 33 — just a year older than Adam Scott was when he won the 2013 Masters — Newton lost his right arm and eye after walking into a plane's spinning propeller while rushing back home to Newcastle after a Sydney Swans game at the SCG.

 

"[He] was a fearless competitor and iconic Australian, blazing a formidable trail during his professional golfing career between 1971 and 1983," his family said in a statement on Friday.

"He fought back from tremendous adversity as only he could.

"[He] chose to selflessly invest his time, energy, and effort towards giving back to the community through his Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation, sports commentary, golf course design, and raising significant funds for several charities, most notably, diabetes.

A male golfer with one arm hits a ball during a tournament

Newton famously lost his arm and right eye in 1983, but still found ways to participate in the game he loved.

"His passion for sport and contributing to future generations of golfers and the Australian community demonstrates the character of our father, beloved husband, proud brother, adoring grandfather, and maverick mate.

"In true Jack Newton style, we will celebrate his incredible life.

"However, for now, our family asks for privacy and we appreciate everyone's love, support, and friendship throughout his life."

Forty years after his fateful accident, which shocked the country and saw then-prime minister Bob Hawke rush to the hospital to support him, Newton was diagnosed with dementia.

Last year, the 42nd annual "Jacks" event — the first since his diagnosis — saw dozens of Australian sports stars, musicians, comedians, and dignitaries flock to his home in Cessnock to raise money for charity.

Newton's own organization, the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation, has raised more than $20 million over the years to develop the country's brightest young golfers since its founding in 1986.

Newton also worked as a broadcaster, and sat alongside Sandy Roberts in many a booth bringing golf telecasts to Australia.

"He took to the actual task of commentating like a duck to water. That gravely voice became synonymous with Australian golf for the next 25, 30 years," Roberts told ABC Sport.

"Every day was different because I didn't know what I was going to get, and sometimes I don't think Jack knew what was going to come out of his mouth.

"The players related to him so well and he commanded so much respect – I mean when you finish second in a British Open to Tom Watson you're going to command respect right around the world.

"To go through what he went through, it was quite extraordinary. He had his moments, but we became a very solid team and you have to be when you're travelling around the world."

Newton is survived by his wife, Jackie, daughter Kristie, and son Clint, who is now the CEO of the Rugby League Players Association. He also leaves behind six grandchildren and a grateful sporting community.

The was twice a runner-up in major championships, losing the 1975 Open Championship, in a playoff against Tom Watson, and in the 1980 Masters Tournament, where he finished four strokes behind the winner, Seve Ballesteros.