BY ALEX TIGANI
The Singleton Golf Club’s centenary celebrations are in full swing this month.
Crowds gathered for Sunday’s club championship and the AGM was held at the Mechanics Institute last night, 100 years to the date of the first one.
Last month we put the call out to our readers for any stories or items significant.
This inspired our devoted reader June Shaddock to unearth the trophy and putter presented to her father-in-law Norman by the Singleton Golf Club in 1924.
“Norman would be very proud and pleased about the golf club’s centenary,” June told The Hunter River Times.
“We would be prepared to lend these items if there will be a display at the Singleton Golf Club.”
Norman’s Legacy Lives On
Norman Shaddock was one of Singleton’s first all-round sporting greats.
He was popular in cycling and boxing circles around Maitland but primarily remembered for his Pole Vault feats when becoming the 1926 Australasian Champion by competing for the Botany Harriers Athletics Club.
A large crowd made their way to the Singleton Showground to see his exhibition after claiming the state record in Manly on March 13 that same year.
Yet he already made news when claiming a Singleton Golf Club championship on November 29, 1924 at the age of 18.
We suspect that this game was played at the Gowrie course before the club commenced its Howe Park era on March 26, 1927.
The cup remains with his daughter-in-law June Shaddock and reads “Singleton Golf Club – 1924 – Presented by F.J.R Dight Esq. 2nd President – Won by N.R Shaddock”.
“He was a real all-rounder,” June explained.
It is believed Norman picked up his golfing skills by Mr Richard Dangar while Norman’s father Dick was the gardener at the Baroona Homestead.
A century later we brought the Cup to the home of Norman’s grandson Andrew.
Ironically, his beautiful garden is complimented by a golf green a century on.
