Tony Chandler won the renowned golf tournament the Herald Sun Cup for his mum Norma. Picture: Meagan Rogers.
By Sarah Schwager
FOR Pearcedale’s Tony Chandler, winning the Herald Sun Cup golf competition was never about the prize.
His desire to win was all for his mum.
After his mother Norma Chandler died suddenly a year ago at the age of 71, Mr Chandler decided to have a go at playing in the competition with the motive that he would dedicate the win to her.
Last month, he won the trophy after victory in seven matches over the past year in the knockout competition.
“Mum, and dad, have always been terribly supportive of the things I have done in my life,” Mr Chandler said.
“Mum was a very good tennis player but she got hit with a tennis ball in the eye and so took up golf.”
Mr Chandler said the day she died she had thrombosis on her leg and had taken the dog for a walk.
When she returned she did not look well and sat down on the couch. She died within 10 seconds.
“It was a real shock to everyone. She was very active. It was really out of the blue,” Mr Chandler said.
He said his mother had always wished he had more of a competitive streak in the sports he played, which were all at a high level.
He played in the Victorian Hockey underage team, and participated competitively in athletics, tennis and swimming, while also fulfilling his passions for surfing and skiing.
“As they say, I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none,” Mr Chandler said.
He had participated in a few golf tournaments and had attempted the Herald Sun Cup a couple of times, but this time was different.
“This time I was going to do it not because I wanted to win but for her,” he said.
Mr Chandler said his mother’s death had been very hard on his whole family, but especially on his father Geoff Chandler.
“He went through a lot when mum died,” he said.
The golf tournament ended up being a combined healing process, with Mr Chandler’s dad caddying for him throughout the competition.
“It’s strange, but losing mum has given me the opportunity to know my dad better,” Mr Chandler said.
“When we were growing up it was typical of that era that dad was at work all the time.
“Over the last 12 months I have got to know him on a personal level. Before he was just my father and now he’s one of my best friends.”
Mr Chandler works as front of house manager at the Amstel Golf Club in Cranbourne.
He said he fell into the role after running a business building and designing furniture.
“Even still, I’m lucky to play 18 holes once every month or so,” he said.
“I have a set of golf clubs and a surfboard in the back of the van.
“The surf always comes first.”
