Greg Norman was always destined for greatness

Greg Norman’s professional playing career began in 1976 in a $15,000 tournament at Bateman’s Bay. He finished third, and the following week finished third again in the $18,000 Australian Open in Keperra. His third entry into the world of professional golf would earn him yet another top-10 finish in the New South Wales Open. But it was his fourth event that would begin to define his career. The 1976 West Lakes Classic in Adelaide was the first of the “big money” titles on the Australian circuit that year. The East Course at The Grange Golf Club in Australia’s cathedral city is where Greg Norman became a household name, and it’s also a spot on Norman’s golfing resume where he went from being merely confident in his abilities to knowing that he could compete with the world’s best players.

Greg Norman the superior youngster

Norman, the 21-year old Queenslander won the $35,000 West Lakes Classic golf tournament in Adelaide by five strokes yesterday, took up golf only six years earlier. He beat some of the world’s best players in one of the most stunning results on the Australian golf circuit for years.

Greg Norman went from a 27 handicap to scratch within 18 months of taking up golf age of 15….

Peter Thompson, five times British Open winner, was moved to say that the lad was a better prospect than were Graham Marsh, David Graham, and Bob Shearer at the same age: “Norman has everything. His legs have been conditioned by football and his shoulders by surfing.” Thompson said.

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Norman said shyly after his victory.

“I do know that I love the game, more that any other I have played…said Greg Norman I want to be one of the best players in the world. I thought that golf was an easy game to make money at.”