When Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle ruled Australian golf in the 1950s and 60s their personalities perfectly reflected the times. Both had lived through World War and Depression. They were quiet, conservative men not inclined to seek attention through their clothes, deportment or lifestyle. Instead, they left it to their beautifully efficient golf swings, and galleries of the time delighted in watching the quiet men of golf masterfully ply their trade.
To Thomson’s generation, the early 1970s were something of a shock.
Gough Whitlam overturned almost a quarter of a century of conservative rule, long hair was a fashion, drug use was more prevalent and checked, flared golf pants mixed with white belts and shirts, with collars so big you could almost row a boat with them, were the new uniform of professional golf.
Into this new world of Australian golf stepped Jack Newton, Stewart Ginn, Ian Stanley and Bob Shearer.
Thomson would partake of the occasional late-night scotch and Nagle was a teetotaller but there were times when the new quartet looked like their aim was to drink
