Jack Newton on that accident, Adam Scott and golf in the 70’s

Jack Newton’s doesn’t think he’s on Adam Scott’s Christmas card list.

I’ve been meaning to share this great piece from Rosemarie Milsom at the Newcastle Herald on one of Australia’s great golfers, Jack Newton.

The article was penned last month – 30 years after Newton’s tragic accident when an aeroplane propeller tore through his torso, arm and face resulting in the loss of his right eye and arm.

The propeller sheared off his right arm, sliced open his abdomen and struck the right side of his face, destroying his eye. Renowned ophthalmologist Fred Hollows was one of three highly respected medicos who repaired Newton’s brutal injuries. ‘‘It was really lucky that the Prince of Wales had its A team on that night,’’ quips Newton.

While he can’t remember anything about that night, witnesses have told him that he tried to get up off the tarmac. D’Arcy held him down.

‘‘I could have walked around the corner and got an Aeropelican flight,’’ reflects Newton, but it is the only time he even hints at regret.

Newton is a stoic character though and he has gone on to play golf with just one arm (to a handicap around 12), provide golf commentary for Channel 7 and raise over $3 million for junior golf and diabetes research. All with persistent pain that is still with Newton 30 years on.

After three decades, Newton still endures frequent pain. The non-existent fingers attached to his phantom right arm regularly cramp. At other times, his fist will clench and pain ‘‘as bad as the worst tooth ache you can ever imagine’’ will shoot down his arm.

Newton also confronted Adam Scott on his putting woes a couple of year’s ago;

The 32-year-old’s victory was stunning and Newton, who challenged Scott two years ago at a Melbourne press conference about his lacklustre putting form, reckons it came down to two factors.

‘‘He accepted it [putting] was an issue and changed to the long putter and he’s now got the best caddie in the game. [Steve] Williams is the sort of guy who expects majors wins – he’s caddied for Norman and Woods. They were two significant changes and his career’s turned around. He’s starting to believe he can win majors and so he should.

‘‘But I don’t think I’m on his Christmas card list,’’ the straight-shooting 63-year-old adds with a devilish chuckle.

Read the full piece – Jack Newton: 30 years after the accident

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