Canadian amateur golfer Moe Norman demonstrates his unorthodox style to a group of young tour golfers at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont. on June 26, 1984. Oscar-nominated director Bruce Beresford has signed on to direct a film based on the life of the Canadian golf legend Moe Norman. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tim Clark
Oscar-nominated director Bruce Beresford has signed on to helm a film based on the life of Canadian golf legend Moe Norman.
The director behind “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Tender Mercies” says in a release he was charmed by the story of the “delightfully eccentric” athlete who died in 2004 at age 75.
Newfoundland native David Carver is producing the biopic, titled “The Place I Belong,” with Winnipeg-born comedian David Steinberg and his film exec partner Robyn Todd as executive producers.
NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky and his wife, actor-entrepreneur Janet Gretzky, are also signed on as co-producers.
David Carver Films describes the biopic as a “human-interest journey,” following Norman’s rise from caddie and bowling alley pinsetter to self-taught amateur golfer who went on to play the Masters.
Norman was considered a phenomenon in the amateur golfing circuit in the 1950s and 1960s and recognized for his unconventional swing.
But the Kitchener, Ont.-born golfer never found his stride when it came to capitalizing on his talent, and didn’t make a lot of money in the sport.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2023.
