Norman “Normie” Gaylord was born in James City, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1910. He died on December 17, 1976. He was the husband of Phyllis Dombrowski Gaylord who he married in 1937. The Gaylords had three children, Norman, Jr., Joyce, and Sandra.

Mr. Gaylord attended East High School. He is a WWII veteran. He served in the U.S. Navy, as a Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer, from September of 1943 through December of 1945.

Before carrying the flag for our country, Normie learned the golf game by toting bags as a caddy. He started his trophy collection in 1926, at the age of 16, when he won the city caddie championship by three shots at Glenwood (now J C Martin).

The “Caddy Champ” debuted with the “big boys” in the 1927 EDGA championship. He advanced to match play in the 36-hole qualifier only to face off against the defending champion, Hubby Vogt, also a former caddy and “Caddy Champ”. Gaylord competed well in the battle of the loopers, taking the defending champ to extra holes, before losing the match on the 19^th hole.

The following year, Norm accomplished a feat never achieved before or since 1928. After fighting for sudden death victories in his first two matches, he became the only player to ever have his first three EDGA matches decided by a playoff. That streak ended in the semi-finals when Normie lost to the defending champion, William Fischer 3&2. Fischer went on to successfully defend his title. Still competing in the junior ranks as well, Gaylord captured the 1928 EDGA Junior Stroke Play, a tournament in which he finished second in the previous year. Norm would later partner with Fisher, in an exhibition match against PGA greats Walter Hagen and Horton Smith, in conjunction with the opening of Lake Shore Country Club.

While 1929 was not a good year for the stock market, it was a momentous year for Gaylord, a member of Lawrence Park Golf Club. In May, playing as his club’s number one man, he was the medalist in at the interclub matches at his home course. Despite an unexpected break in his play during the month of June due to a work injury, Norm returned to action later that summer and set the course record at Lawrence Park with a round of 66. (He would later best that record with a 65 in 1933). With his foot fully healed by August, and in only his third EDGA event, the 19-year-old teenager was listed as one of the favorites in the Amateur Championship at the Erie Golf Club. This was also the first EDGA city tournament not held at the Kahkwa Club. Normie did not disappoint as he rolled through the match play bracket on his way to the finals. He ultimately avenged his 1927 loss to Hubby Vogt, by defeating him 6&5 in the 36-hole final to become the youngest champion in the event’s history up to that date.

The following year, eager to keep the EDGA cup in his possession, Norm was the qualifying medalist at Lake Shore, the first event since 1924 to advance 32 players to match play. He recorded two, 1 up, victories before falling to fellow “Park” player and the eventual runner up, Kenny Rouzer.

Norm returned to Lake Shore for a chance to win back the EDGA cup in 1931. After qualifying in the tenth spot, he mowed down opponents with ease moving on to face the defending champion, Johnny McCarthy. Not to be denied, Gaylord tied the largest winning margin in the event’s nine-year history, capturing the thirty-six-hole final match with an 8 &7 victory.

In 1932, the event returned to the Kahkwa Club, the host of the event for its first seven city tournaments. Gaylord was ready for his title defense having won the LP club championship just weeks earlier that summer. His good play again allowed him to advance to the finals. While his 9-match winning streak established a new record, he was not able to capture the title, falling to Glenwood’s Alex Holtz 1 down in the 36-hole final.

In 1933, Gaylord sought to even the score with defending champion, Alex Holtz as they met in the finals again at Kahkwa. He was successful. Norm secured a 4&2 victory to become the first three-time champion in EDGA history.

Gaylord’s first child, Norm Jr., was born in 1941 and Normie did not compete in another EDGA Amateur. His golf achievements, over just a little more than a decade of play, are quite impressive. His career EDGA record shows 11 events with 3 titles, a runner up finish and 3 other appearances in the semifinals. His final match play record was 27 wins against 8 losses. Of those losses, 7 came against former or future champions.

Additionally, Normie claimed the city junior championship twice; he won the scholastic championship while at East High; his name is etched as a Lawrence Park club champion; and he teamed with Lawrence Park’s professional, Carl Wendel to capture Pro-Am titles.

In 1938, the Times News placed Norm on its All- City Golf list as the best driver of the ball (straightest). Mr. Norman recorded at least one hole in one in his career. In 1939, he aced the ninth hole at Lawrence Park.