In 1954 the Oak Ridge Fencers Club was organized by the spousal team of Harold and Penny Newton with Harold as coach and Penny  as assistant instructor.  This team taught and maintained the club for thirty-one  years until the death of Harold in 1985.  Penny continued to work with the club until her death in 1994.  At this time Walter Zobel accepted the responsibility of maintaining the club operations and continues to this day. 

Harold Newton was an avid fencer in college and in the Washington Fencers Club.  He was involved in the process of  bringing Nicholas Toth to the U.S. in 1951.  Mr. Toth had led the 1936 Hungarian Olympic team to victory.  Both Harold and Penny Newton were coached by Mr. Toth prior to Harold's transfer to Oak Ridge as a member of the Dept. of Energy. 

The Oak Ridge Fencers Club which Harold and Penny founded has endured for many years.  The club provides instruction for novices as required and has introduced many young fencers (middle school and high school age) to the sport.  The membership each year has varied between ten and thirty and has included many well-known Oak Ridge residents.