FIJI INTERNATIONAL ‘Ace’ Caddy Shannon

Adelaide businessman, paramedic tell how he helps Norris win

Shannon Aistrope, better known as ‘Ace’, was one of the happiest men at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. A close mate and family friend of 2017 Fiji International winner, Jason Norris, Aistrope suddenly became known to many who did not know him until yesterday as Ace, Norris’s caddy.

The 42-year-old businessman and paramedic and Norris, 44, are from Adelaide and have known each other for about 16 years.

“I actually own Subway Restaurants in Adelaide initially and Jason was the local pro so Ace would look after him for a discount.” He said he did this because Norris was trying to get by on a small wage.

Ace said Norris had thought of quitting the game two years ago while playing in China.

“He would hit a shot and he would say I bonked it and I think I should do something else.”

Ace said Norris went back into working for the Grange Pro Shop in Adelaide where he earned extra money and this was to keep his card.

“He resigned from his job last week to concentrate on his golf as standing in a retail shop did nothing to help his back injury.”

Ace said because of the age factor, they did a lot more stretching and exercise and this helped Norris through the four= day tournament. He heaped praise on the training facilities at Natadola.

“About two months ago, over a coffee, we set a programme and I told him to keep a diary of the work you have done and when you doubt yourself you can look back and see you have done the work. “After the win, I told Jason – now you have done the work and people want you to do well and if you stick to the process the win will come. “His outing is generally poor and we stuck to our process and that has made a big improvement in his putting.”

While out competing Ace was asked what the secret with playing well to win was.

“I look at the lines and we check it and challenge it to make an important decision.

“Not too many people do that which was to give that much confidence to their caddies.

“With every putt we challenge each other and that has been the system.”

Norris is now heading for the European tour.

For Ace, it is back to Adelaide as he has a business to run but would wait to for Norris to decide.

Ace was humble enough to acknowledge other caddies who had been with Norris during his early professional career.

This was his first trip to Fiji and Ace had the thumbs up for the time spent here.