O. B. Left just sent me a great Private Message detailing his reminiscences of fellow Canadian Moe Norman. I felt it was too good to keep for just myself, so I asked his permission to share it with you. Enjoy!
Are you interested in George Knudson's action? I have a dvd copy of his old instructional video that includes a sequence of him swinging against a black and white grid a la Hogan. I'd be glad to donate it to your library if you are interested. Nice swing but perhaps a little pivot to hands theoretically. I read recently that Mickey Wright used to admire his swing. There is story up here about how Moe and George used to have a standing wager based not on score but on how many "polies" they would each have during a round. Appropriate perhaps since neither were the greatest of putters.
I saw Moe practice many times. Before I even knew who he was. There was an old rusty two level red and white driving range just off the highway leading north from Toronto. There were old cars, refrigerators etc instead of yardage signs and an 18 hole short course with the first, second, 17th and 18th holes lit for night time golf. A regular customer was a strange looking man in his 50's always dressed in the same black turtle neck and pro tour like red sans a belt pants with pockets filled to the brim.
It didn't take me long to notice what this odd fellow could do with a golf ball. At the time I was in my late 20's had been playing for more than 16 years and thought I'd seen everything, having competed in the local ams and taken in the Canadian Open on several occasions. This guy stopped me in my tracks the first time I ever saw him hit.
He came late in the day perhaps after a round elsewhere, talked only to a very people and went about his business very methodically. I tried to talk him but he would never have any part of it. One night while hitting range balls I felt his gaze and realized he was critiquing my swing with the local pro. I nearly died as he mimicked my then severely upright plane and leg driving action. I knew he was a kind soul and didnt take it badly but also knew there was something afoul with my action that is only now being remedied. hanks for that, Lynn.
Oh, the first time I laid eyes on him it was night time, I was making my way out to the parking lot and noticed this robust little guy playing the first hole under the lights. He was playing from off the side of the tee deck as the grass was really torn up. He had about ten balls or so laid out. The hole was about 75 yards long and his balls, hit in rapid fire action, just rained down upon the flag. They hit the green hard and spun to a stop. Each one like the one before. Almost as if one was struck before the previous one landed. I was stopped in my tracks. I sat on a wooden bench and watched in amazement as he played the four holes over and over. It didnt take him too long. I honestly dont remember a bad shot. Some were some better than others but each one was hit with a solid strike. His routine was ultra quick but so methodical and purposeful. I was, to say the least, astonished.
I never did get to know him and the old driving range is now long gone. The area that was once farm land is now a bustling intersection complete with industrial park. I think of him every time I drive that stretch of highway.
After heart surgery at a hospital in London, Ontario and shortly before his ultimate passing, the surgeon woke him in the recovery room. "Moe, do you know where you are?" "Yes",he said. "I'm on the 4th green at the old Hunt Club!". The doctor left him alone thinking nothing of it until some days later when he realized the hospital was in fact built on the site of the old London Hunt golf course and the recovery room was almost directly over the fourth green.
What a gift he had, and what a gift he was to anyone who saw him hit. One of God's children.
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