Top Newcastle golfers say Jack Newton had a massive effect on their lives, helping them turn professional and develop as people.
Nathan Green, who won the Canadian Open on the US PGA Tour and spent a decade competing in the US, recalled competing in Jack Newton events at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri as a junior.
Mr Green, of Toronto, said the continual competition that the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation provided was "a massive thing".
"There was the opportunity for kids to play in competition and see what the level was like - how good the other kids were," Mr Green said.
"Kids would travel to play in junior tournaments. They were held all around the state. By the time I was 12 or 13, I'd go to those. I never got all that good until I was about 16."
He said Mr Newton realised there was "a need to promote junior golf".
"He had a lot of connections and sponsors on board. It was mainly due to his personality. People were attracted to him. It was a massive part of pretty much every junior golfer's development. He was the perfect guy to be involved in golf at that time."
He said Mr Newton was "a larger than life character".
"The stories you hear from his golfing days - he squeezed a lot into those 72 years. He was a great guy who was always there to offer a bit of support."
New Lambton's Nikki Garrett played professionally on the Ladies European Tour - winning two tournaments in Spain.
"I joined the Jack Newton foundation when I was about eight or nine," Ms Garrett said.
"I have no doubt my professional career would never have happened if it wasn't for Jack, his support and all the foundation did for me."
She said Mr Newton's death was "heartbreaking".
"I've been very fortunate enough to have called him a friend for nearly 30 years. He's always been very dear and special to me," she said.
She said the foundation "shaped us as the people we are today".
"What he's done for junior golf in Australia is just amazing and phenomenal. There will only ever be one Jack."
Blake Windred, 24, of Cardiff South said Mr Newton's death was "sad news".
"It's a time to come together and celebrate his life and what he did in a lot of our lives," said Mr Windred, who is now playing on the European professional tour.
"I wouldn't be where I am right now without his junior golf program and wisdom. I gained so much experience just by being able to compete at quite a high level from eight to 18."
Mr Windred said Mr Newton had "inspired me to hopefully leave a legacy like he did and impact people's lives in a positive way, especially young fellas coming through".
