Rick Norman
Rick Norman was born on Jan. 13th,
1948 in Eau Claire, WI; he attended Eau
Claire Memorial where he lettered in both golf
and swimming, graduating in 1966. In high
school, Rick teamed with Dennis
Lee, Steve Sorenson, and future CVGA Hallie Open
Winner, Steve Alf to lead the Old Abes to the
state tournament all three of his high school
years.
Rick’s first CVGA tournament was as a junior
player in 1960 where he finished 5th
place in the 5th flight. From
those early beginnings he started his golf
career in the Chippewa Valley Golf Association.
Rick was the CVGA’s first
dominant junior player, winning numerous junior
tournaments.
His first victory as an Open Player in
the CVGA came in 1968, winning the prestigious
Hallie Open in a playoff with Bill Rolland. A
promising junior
player from Madison took fifth that year;
his name was Andy North.
Rick then served in the US Navy from 1968 to
1971, after which, he resumed his competitive
golf career. Rick played
his best when it mattered most, winning “majors”
at both Hillcrest and Hallie twice, and
the 1976 Tournament of Champions along with
other victories that year.
Rick totaled 5 majors; 3 coming in 1976. His 20
foot birdie putt to beat Joe Springer
in a playoff at the Hillcrest Open in 1975 was
perhaps the most memorable shot of his
career. His
victory at that event was a popular one.
Rick moved to Wausau in 1981 and soon made noise
in the local golf scene there, winning the
Wausau City Championship the same year. In
1982, Rick and the family moved to Fort Atkinson
where he won the City/County Medal Play
Tournament. Rick
had style, poise, flair and he had “the
profile”. He was a popular player among
his peers and the golfing public. An imposing
player and clutch putter, Rick credits Reed
Mackenzie, Art Tangen, Gordie Longville, Bill
Rolland, and Tom Moberg for
contributing to his love for the game of golf.
Rick has been married to his wife Mary
since Oct. 1st 1977;
they have
2 children: Courtney and Matthew.
The Normans also have two grandchildren, Dane
and Daxton. Rick
retired from the Commercial Bank of Whitewater in 2011.
He now
enjoys retirement and lives in Whitewater, WI.