July 2007 Inside Social Golf www.insidesocialgolf.com.au July 2007

it became apparent that Norman and one perhaps not quite so. had been able to help others. That had a very philanthropic nature Scobie Breasley is one of the account would be played at his

inside Bruce Young SocialGolf and would help almost anyone greatest jockeys in Australian funeral on May 25th. The Von who sought his advice. racing history and he and Editor: Rod Morri – Teeing Off [email protected] my last and Norman had been great friends Not long after the tribute had been P: (02) 4377 1337 It was hard to know where to start over a long period of time. completed, Norman suffered a as so many had been touched Breasley had a serious race fall in serious accident when hit by a car regular Senior Writer: Rob Willis [email protected] by his generosity. Those I called the United Kingdom during an era while he was crossing a road. His contributor included Gary Player, Peter when Norman was playing there arm was broken and he suffered Contributing Editors: lasting memories Thomson, Bruce Crampton, Dave and Norman played a significant significant bruising and to all orman Von Nida passed contribution and he asked if I Daniel Murphy, Larry Canning, Michael Thomas (a Welsh golfer of the role in his rehabilitation back to intents and purposes his golfing Norman back to his retirement stories he was able to relate. Mosher, Mat Howe, Kristy Murphy, away peacefully on May 20th was interested in a game with 50’s and 60’s and now a highly good health. life was over. For more than two home that day there was little David Granville, Greg Dowling, of this year at the age of 93 him at Royal Queensland at N regarded golf course designer) years Norman was unable to said between us. Nothing could I first heard of the Von’s passing Richard Fellner and Bruce Young leaving behind a legacy as one of this some later stage. Of course, [email protected] and no matter who I called the The less obvious one was Johnnie play the game he loved so much. be said – it was a moment that just a few minutes after he had country’s great players and one of its that was an offer that was not response was immediate and Famechon, the great Australian Just prior to the accident he had he as such a highly regarded passed away with family members great motivators and givers. going to be declined and it so Graphic Design: Lucinda Shelley consistent. “I would love to be part boxer who after his car accident in been a regular visitor to Royal golfer and I, as his friend who at his side at his Gold Coast [email protected] happened that the father of of it,” they all said. the early 1990’s had struggled to Queensland playing with friends was witnessing his anguish and nursing home. It struck me like I first met ‘The Von’ in 2000. One of the a good friend of mine from recover. Norman gave several of with his fluorescent clubs and disappointment, struggled to a brick. Despite the fact that the radio stations for which I provide golf New Zealand was on the National/NSW/ACT/QLD I wanted to include some from his trophies and some money to balls on a golf course where he accept. quality of life he had been so used Sales Manager: related segments had decided to do Gold Coast on holiday at the outside the golfing world and the Famechon Trust and when knew every blade of grass despite With the advent of the Von to throughout his remarkable Sam Arthur a preview of time and thought he might there was one obvious candidate I asked if he was able to say a being unable to see them properly. Nida Tour, it was more than time on this earth was no longer P: (02) 9522 6959 F: (02) 9522 8353 at St Andrews that year and just like to join Norman and I for M: 0410 575 303 That he was no longer able to just a case of Norman lending available to him, his passing before I left my Gold Coast home to a few holes of golf. One of the last swings Norman ever took. Typically, he decided after [email protected] just one hole that if he couldn’t play well he’d rather not play at all. enjoy the game that had been so his name to a vehicle for was the end of an era which had drive to I was contacted by few words much of his life was an agonising young and emerging players. incorporated such a great chunk of VIC/TAS Sales Manager: the station to advise that they were Bob Glading won the New on the tribute and soul destroying time for him. Whenever asked he would the evolution of Australian golf. Grant Manson keen to get Norman Von Nida on the Zealand Open on two Famechon jump at the chance to attend Ph: 03 9530 9990 show by phone that day. I quickly occasions and was just a [email protected] provided a “We played just nine holes those events in the Queensland Norman’s funeral brought together jumped on the internet and searched few years younger than It is a great source of pride to me that Norman and I became moving tribute that day but our friendship area such as the Queensland many of the countless people for information as to when Norman Norman. They had often Publisher: so close in his final years. to a man he had Open and the Queensland PGA whose paths he had crossed CAB Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd had played at the Open at St Andrews played together in their was cemented and I am Membership Badge formats for never met. Championships. Despite no in a life where he had lived in AUDIT and how he had done but even with respective heydays and honoured to be able to say Director: Sam Arthur longer being able to play the Queensland, New South Wales, that background, whilst driving to so we travelled to Royal one day during the construction of Inside Social Golf PO BOX 1050 Norman that in his final years the Von game Norman wanted to be Britain, Malaysia and the United Cronulla NSW 2230 Brisbane, I was concerned as to how Queensland where I met Norman that course there where despite being Ozaki’s English and my Japanese were about equal. I doubt there was much chit chat going on here! himself spoke and I became very close”. part of it in whatever capacity he States. Those who spoke included P: (02) 9522 6959 F: (02) 9522 8353 things would go that morning. for the first time. We played just nine handicapped with failing site (Norman throughout could. The last of those events Peter Thomson, Geoff Scott from [email protected] holes that day but our friendship was was categorised as being legally blind this tribute In May of 2005 and more than two he attended was when I drove the PGA of and Norman’s Maximise the value of your CAB membership and audit using I had not had any contact with cemented and I am honoured to be many years earlier) he was strong in Subscriptions are available for $49 per year. and those years after his accident I received him up to the launch of the 2006 very close friend, Charlie Earp. the CAB Membership Badge. Norman previously but was aware able to say that in his final years the his opinion of the holes he saw and Go to www.insidesocialgolf.com.au to register above were a call from Norman asking if I and during As the funeral wound to a close of a reputation he had for being Von and I became very close. the changes he thought should be The CAB brand which has been servicing the advertising and publishing industries since 1957 is interspersed would be able to take him to a golf the event when another friend it was my privileged honour to NSW/ACT, QLD, VIC, TAS, SA and WA circulation is feisty and strongly opinionated and made. I was not always sure he was synonomous with credibility and accountability. 36,250 copies per month. ISG is distributed to with Norman’s course on the Gold Coast to see took him to the third day’s play. say the final goodbye. Although was anxious that as a rookie in the I would often travel to Scarborough, looking in the right direction but it was over 1,500 social clubs, 450 Pro Shops and thoughts on whether it was possible for him to I spoke of one or two of my own As a member of the CAB you too can take advantage of the benefits of this prestigious brand by business of golf related media he east of Brisbane, which was Norman’s typical of Norman, wanting to have including a CAB Member Badge on all promotional material including publisher panels,driving media kits,ranges every month. his own life. At play again. Norman wanted this Norman’s wife Elva’s health experiences with him, we let sales flyers and newsletters. might expose my raw edges. I needn’t home for many years, or often just call his say. the completion to be a private affair as he had deteriorated in her latter years Norman have the final say by Contents may not be reproduced have worried. Norman was the perfect him to chat about things. At his home Using the badge will reinforce your commitment to a credible and accountablewithout industry. written permission. of the tribute no idea what he was capable of and Norman felt uncomfortable playing the last minute of that gentleman and was very encouraging in Scarborough the first thing offered Having gotten to know the man over Views expressed in editorial contributions do not Norman doing and being a proud man he about leaving her as much as audio tribute mentioned earlier. This badge has been created for Inside Social Golf for use in the publishers panels, media kits and and I was amazed that even at the age was a bottle of coke as Norman had a those first couple of years and having other promotional materials of that publication. necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper summarised wanted, at that time, for this to be he had done in earlier times. and its management. of 86, as he was then, he was reeling cupboard full in ready supply. Norman developed a far greater appreciation his life in a one something between just he and Whenever circumstances would I am extremely proud, blessed off specific details of his time at St regularly drank coke for much of his of his contribution and role in the Enjoy it, we do! minute account I. After just one hole he said to allow, however, Norman was and honoured to have shared a

Guide Andrews and his memories of not life after only once drinking alcohol. game, I made the decision that I Check out: www.insidesocialgolf.com.au of what his life me that he had had enough and keen to add his presence and friendship with Norman Von Nida Audit display badge Combined membership badge only the 1946 Open, where he finished would like to put together an audio ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 had meant to had realised after that very short th support to not only events such during his last few years. All type in Arial 4 behind Sam Snead, but of other I had the opportunity to drive him to tribute. I wanted the tribute to be not Audited Audited him and how time that he would never again as those mentioned above but I thank him for that opportunity CAB 12 pt Arial CAB Printed by: occasions he had visited the ‘Home several of the functions to which he so much on his golfing career as such AUDIT AUDIT 36,024 fortunate he had be able to play to a level that he other golf related functions. 34,713 34,713 Regional Press Pty Ltd but importantly I thank him for Oct 06 - Mar 07 of Golf.’ was invited where he was always the (although that would be a significant Oct 05 to Sep 06 7 pt Arial Oct 05 to Sep 06 been to have was prepared to accept. I thought He was always the centre of the endless encouragement and The distribution records of this Member since Sep 2006 centre of attention and which he loved part of it) but more on the role publication have been submitted The distribution records of this lived the life he he had done ok but again it was attention and people were self belief he gave myself and so for independent audit with the Please note: Only audited figures can be publication have been submitted After the show that day I called to be part of. I also recall taking him to Norman played in helping others. In Circulations Audit Board quoted in the Badge. This badge valid to for independent audit with the Circulations Audit Board had and that he typical of Norman. As I drove engrossed in the countless many others. 31st March, 2007. Norman to thank him for his Northlakes course north of Brisbane talking to him, and via other avenues,

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