Norman Drew
Encyclopedia
Norman Vico Drew is a Northern Irish
professional golfer
.
Drew was born in Belfast
, Northern Ireland and started his golfing career at Balmoral Golf Club
in Belfast. From a young age he was renowned for his short game. Drew turned professional in 1954.
Drew played in the 1959 Ryder Cup
at Eldorado Golf Club in the U.S.
where he was the youngster of the team. During the 1959 Ryder Cup
he made history by becoming the first player to gain representative honours at the Walker Cup
, Ryder Cup and Canada
(World) Cup level. Drew also holds an unbeaten record in the Ryder Cup having drawn his only match against Doug Ford
, who had won both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Masters.
In more recent years Drew has competed in the European Seniors Tour
between 1992 and 1996.
Drew married his wife Valerie in 1958. They have two children, Heather and Gordon. Gordon Drew is also a professional golfer at Donaghadee Golf Club, County Down
, Northern Ireland.
Professional
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
.
Drew was born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland and started his golfing career at Balmoral Golf Club
Balmoral Golf Club
Balmoral Golf Club is located on Lisburn Road, Belfast, just three miles south of the city centre. It is an 18-hole course with a par of 69.Founded in 1914, the course is set in the suburbs of south Belfast...
in Belfast. From a young age he was renowned for his short game. Drew turned professional in 1954.
Drew played in the 1959 Ryder Cup
1959 Ryder Cup
The 13th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Eldorado Golf Club in Indian Wells, California. The United States team won the competition by a score of 8½ to 3½ points. The British who were once again led by Dai Rees were unable to repeat the heroics of two years earlier and were comprehensively...
at Eldorado Golf Club in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he was the youngster of the team. During the 1959 Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
he made history by becoming the first player to gain representative honours at the Walker Cup
Walker Cup
The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
, Ryder Cup and Canada
Canada Cup
The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup...
(World) Cup level. Drew also holds an unbeaten record in the Ryder Cup having drawn his only match against Doug Ford
Doug Ford (golfer)
Douglas Michael Ford, Sr. born Fortunato is an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion.Ford was born in West Haven, Connecticut. He turned professional in 1949 and won for the first time in 1952 at the Jacksonville Open.The win in Jacksonville was an unusual one...
, who had won both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Masters.
In more recent years Drew has competed in the European Seniors Tour
European Seniors Tour
The European Seniors Tour is a professional tour for male golfers aged 50 and over run by the PGA European Tour.The Tour was founded in 1992. In 2008 it had a total prize fund of €7,729,284, so it is much further behind the U.S.-based Champions Tour in relative prize money than the main European...
between 1992 and 1996.
Drew married his wife Valerie in 1958. They have two children, Heather and Gordon. Gordon Drew is also a professional golfer at Donaghadee Golf Club, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland.
Professional wins (3)
- 1959 Yorkshire Evening News Tournament, Irish Dunlop Tournament, Irish PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
Team appearances
Amateur- Walker CupWalker CupThe Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
: 1953
Professional
- Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
: 1959 - Canada Cup: 1961
External links
- Irish golfing legends' reunion 1959 Ryder Cup team reunion
- Balmoral Golf Club
- Donaghadee Golf Club