"Yes, designing golf courses do make reading putts a little easier."

Joy Chakravarty in Business 24-7 talks to Greg Norman about his British Open play and other Dubai-related matters.

I can walk away from here being disappointed, but I can walk away from here with my head held high because I hung in there. It wasn't meant to be, and you've got to take that with a grain of salt.

Any cliches he miss?

You are a prolific golf course architect and are also designing three of the four courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Do you think your course designing knowledge had any part in the success at the Open this year?

I think it does help, and the one place where it helps the most are the greens. When you are designing a golf course, you've got to take the water off the green, and in most golf courses you have two to three places where you can take the water off the green. So, when you look at the places where the water will go, it gives you a good idea of where the blades of the grass will grow, and about the slopes. Yes, designing golf courses do make reading putts a little easier.

So that's why so many players are getting into course design. And here I thought it was the money.

"I'm having a great summer"

Thanks to reader Steven T. for this story detailing the final (let's hope) chapter in the Norman divorce saga. Final tally for the Shark, who is labeled "golfer/vinter" in the story: $103 million. Understated quote from the ex leaving court: "I'm having a great summer."

The Hardest Mile(s) In Golf?

In the post about Greg Norman's new Dubai course ripping off La Costa's unofficial distinction as the hardest mile in golf, I was wrong.

It seems the Shark is stealing from himself!

Just to remind those of you who haven't memorized it yet, here's what the press release for Jumeirah Golf Estates's "Earth" course says:

The last four holes will measure exactly a mile, 1760 yards.  I expect it will be considered one of the most challenging and exciting miles of golf, in terms of risk and reward."

However reader Rich noticed this website claim for Lansdown Resort's Norman-designed course in Virginia:

The last four holes measure exactly 1,760 yards—equal to one mile—creating, according to Norman, “the hardest mile in golf.”

It's a wonderful world. 

Atonement 2: Greg and Tim

When they say these international golf team competitions bring the world together, they aren't kidding. Just look what happened Tuesday in Palm Beach. Steve Elling analyzes the Finchem-Norman fence mending...

For the first time in years, their situation was mutually beneficial. Norman, who rarely plays in tournaments anymore, has transitioned nicely into the corporate game. He's the head of equipment maker MacGregor, has established a reputation as a course architect and forged his own line of clothing and table wine. By merely writing the aforementioned sentence, we have helped ensure that Norman will profit by virtue of the exposure the cup captaincy will serve to increase.

As a captain of industry already, he said he has come to appreciate the dissenting viewpoint.

"I think it's healthy in a lot of ways," the Shark said. "I don't want everybody to be a yes man or a bobblehead. You've got to be able to sit there and express your differences."

Ah, Jack Welch would be proud of that answer. 

Well, they got the "sitting there" part accomplished Tuesday, though neither looked particularly comfy. You can bet the world tour was not broached.

Finchem insisted that the tour has dealt with Norman for years on a variety of issues, always on a professional basis. If there's a rift, it's nothing that has permanently stained the relationship.

"Here's the reality," Finchem said. "They don't see that Greg designed three different golf courses we're playing tournaments on, he chairs the environmental institute that we're very supportive of, that he's one of our host (staging) organizations on the tour -- people don't see all that.

No, not when you two get in yelling matches and Greg seems to keep missing Champions Tour events. 

"The fact that, as he said, he's been critical a few times in the past, and I don't have a problem with that. Some of the criticism is justified. I think it's all overblown."

Perhaps so, but partly because whenever the world tour issue is broached, Norman radiates heat like Skylab, right before it crashed into Australia.

"I have also complimented Tim over the years for what he has done for the game of golf, the stimulus he has done with prize money," Norman said. "It's not like I am anti-everything he has done. It's just that there have been things I have been very vocal about."

Not anti-everything! Just some of his most important initiatives.

"I believe, if you are going to be fair, you need to be consistent in setting up a course"

Newly engaged and already feisty, the Shark lashed out at the different condtions during round two in South Africa.

The 52-year-old Australian carded a 70 to finish in a six-man group on 145 that also included Britain's Darren Clarke.

But Norman was critical of the way the course was set up for the second round.

"It's been two totally different courses, the course was more difficult yesterday," he told reporters.

"They made a few adjustments to the tees and they did 100 percent irrigation last night so the greens, which they also did not cut, were softer and there was not as much release on the fairways.

"I believe, if you are going to be fair, you need to be consistent in setting up a course," added Norman.

Ah, the dreaded fair word.

Tournament director Mike Stewart defended the changes.

"Yesterday was very windy and the course was incredibly difficult as you could tell from the scores," Stewart told Reuters. "Some holes were exceptionally demanding.

"We felt we had to do something based on the weather forecast for today, which had wind speeds 5-mph stronger all day with gusts of up to 30-mph."

Stewart said the changes were made in order to make the course play as it did on Thursday.

"When we brought tees forward it was to make it play like it did on the first day," he said. "Despite the stronger wind players would be able to use the same club off the tee.

"We also had to slow down the greens because the ball was moving around in the afternoon yesterday. The possibility of an even stronger wind today put us in a very difficult position.

"If balls were moving around we may have had to stop play and we would look very silly if we brought the players in glorious sunshine."

Conditions were so difficult on Friday there were only 17 sub-par rounds, leader Kingston calling it a day for grinding out regulation figures.

"I was so solid on the back nine, I only missed two or three greens, but the wind was gusting so hard it was pushing you in all directions," said the South African.

"With the ball oscillating on the greens and the wind pushing you from behind it was so tough making a decent putt. It took a lot of energy just to stand still."

Greg And Chrissie Wrap Pre-Nup Negotiations, Confirm Engagement

Guess the lawyers didn't want to work during Christmas.

"His massive pool was adjacent to the house and the shark logo shone through from under the water."

His massive pool was adjacent to the house and the shark logo shone through from under the water.

Thanks to reader Hugh for this book excerpt from Dion's Kipping's Caddie To The Stars, Hanging with Norman, Baddeley, Tiger and the Gang.

"Welcome to Tranquility, a peaceful eight-acre estate with more than 16,000 square feet of air-conditioned space on Jupiter Island in Hobe Sound, Florida."

That's the cheesey real estate write up for Greg Norman's $65 million home.

I don't know about you, but I really appreciate the mortgage calculator that let me figure out my payments.

Here's what they suggest:

Mortgage Amount:
    $45,500,000.00
Down Payment :
    $19,500,000.00
Mortgage Payment:
    $265,527.00 per month
Total Monthly Payment:
    $265,527.00 (with maintenance & taxes)

Here's the write-up, thanks to reader Kevin for who was hunting for a third home in Hobe Sound. It sounds like "such a cool hang":

As the wrought-iron gate glides open, a striking drive lined with majestic Florida palms draws your eye to this elegant home you will want to call your own. Welcome to Tranquility, a peaceful eight-acre estate with more than 16,000 square feet of air-conditioned space on Jupiter Island in Hobe Sound, Florida. The main house overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway with 370 feet of waterfront, and a 140-foot dock that can accommodate a large yacht with a lift for a smaller vessel. A formal living and dining room flows to the Florida room, family room, wine room, library and den. The house dates to 1902, with its original cellar – including climate-controlled storage for 2,500 bottles – and all its charm intact. The flooring is vintage Dade County pine. Beautifully renovated in 1985, with additions in 1995 and library overlooking the Intracoastal added in 1999, main house now features a combined media room/game room and a gourmet kitchen with appliances by Wolf, Miele, Traulsen, Subzero and Bosch. The property includes 172 feet of glorious private oceanfront. Two-bedroom, two-bath guesthouse on the shores of the Atlantic features living room, dining room, kitchen, gas fireplace, oak beams and hardwood floors. An open porch offers panoramic ocean views and lets you see where Bill Clinton, uh, fell and hurt his knee.

Oops, don't know how that last part got in there.

Grill house with adjacent tennis court and 50-foot pool is an idyllic setting for outdoor entertaining with rotisserie, full sink, dishwasher, icemaker, microwave, television and surround sound stereo. Estate includes a total of nine bedrooms, 11 full baths and three half baths in six structures. Coach house includes a four-car garage down, with three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, and living room up. Carriage house includes a six-car garage down, with gym, bath and steam room, reception area, boardroom, and two offices up. Boat shed will hold seven vehicles, or any combination of car and boat. There is garage space for 17 cars in all. It is aptly named Tranquility, but it is unequivocally paradise found.

Thankfully I only have 16 cars, so it's going to work.

Norman Lists Jupiter Home; $65 Million Will Buy You War Of Roses Vibes

The Wall Street Journal (thanks reader John) says Greg Norman paid $4.9 and is now offering it at $65 million, while the New York Post (thanks Tuco) says the Normans are moving closer and closer to Oliver and Barbara Rose territory. Get this man a brand coach.

"So I'm proud to be mentioned with Old Tom. If we played each other? Well, I'd have the edge, because of my fashion sense."

I managed to put three minutes aside for my monthly power flip through Golf Magazine and actually stumbled upon  something worth reading in the form of Connell Barrett's look at innovators.

Granted, a couple of them I trust as far as I can throw them, but at least Ran Morrissett got some nice recognition.

"I think of GolfClubAtlas.com as a museum. Architecture is an art, and a course is like a 200-acre canvas. My Web site gives like-minded people a place to discuss and debate these works, to keep the discussion happening. People on the site are regular guys who want to protect great courses and preserve classic architecture. The dialogue can get pretty intense. Things got personal a few years back when Tom Fazio redid the bunkers at Merion. A lot of name-calling. Some thought that changing the bunkers was akin to drawing glasses on the Mona Lisa. It's funny — the nicest, kindest gentleman can become a pit bull online! But that's part of the passion. It's my passion, too. This is a nonprofit site. Since I started it in 1999, I've gotten a lot of offers to sell, but I never will. It's like those commercials. Annual cost of running a web site: a few thousand dollars. Helping to keep architecture debate alive: priceless."

Actually, priceless was Greg Norman fawning over himself in arguably the most nauseating paragraph of self promotion ever published in a major golf publication.

Here's Greg, on himself:

"This January, I'll be honored with the Old Tom Morris Award, for giving back to the game. For one, I feel that golf should be more compatible with the environment. Courses elevate property value and create jobs as well as provide green spaces, filter air, and create a wildlife habitat. Doonbeg, in Ireland, was built with shovels, not bulldozers. We moved just 26,000 cubic yards of soil and protected a microscopic snail species. In addition to that, my tournament, the Merrill Lynch Shootout, has raised more than $10 million for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. So I'm proud to be mentioned with Old Tom. If we played each other? Well, I'd have the edge, because of my fashion sense. I'd wear something from my Greg Norman Collection, which is comfortable and stylish. How can you make a full turn wearing a double-breasted three-piece wool suit?"

"I have no desire to watch golf on TV and I don't read about it that much"

Craig Dolch catches up with Greg Norman who offered this:

"I have no desire to watch golf on TV and I don't read about it that much," he said. "But now that I'm chairman of the board of MacGregor, I'm going to have to keep my finger on the pulse of the sport to know what's going on with my business."

Uh, yes that would be a good idea. 

"I look forward to helping unlock the true brand value that is embedded within MacGregor and Greg Norman Collection and to achieving their full potential.”

Look at Greg Norman, new MacGregor board member, giving the Commissioner a serious run in the corporatespeak gibberish divsion:

"The recapitalization positions MacGregor for sustained growth,” said Norman. “This is a very positive step for the company, and I look forward to helping unlock the true brand value that is embedded within MacGregor and Greg Norman Collection and to achieving their full potential.”

Norman Begins Brand Rebuiding By Sitting With Chrissy Even Though He Really Doesn't Like Tennis

Have you seen those shots of the Shark sitting with Chris Evert at the U.S. Open, looking like he's just been told that video of his hemorroid surgery is going to be posted on YouTube?

Of course, it looks like he's about to write a really big check judging by the smirk on his ex-wife's attorney (left).

From the Palm Beach Post:

As a Stuart judge declared the marriage all but dissolved and gave back Laura Norman her maiden name of Andrassy, the 58-year-old left the courthouse in tears hidden by thick, rhinestoned Chanel sunglasses.

"I don't know how they all sleep at night," she sobbed, referring to Norman and his attorneys. "I just don't know."

Seconds later, it was Norman's turn to leave the courthouse. The Great White Shark smiled.

"I'm happy," he said, impeccable in a dark suit and light-blue tie that matched his eyes. "Justice was served."

The two-time British Open winner, 52, then talked enthusiastically of his future, in which he could see himself settle quickly with another woman and repair the damage that the divorce did to his image.

Norman took umbrage with a recent Page Two report on court documents that showed Laura tried to buy lunch in Manhattan last month - and found her credit cards canceled by Greg's people.

"There were some things said during this process that weren't true," said Norman, who's romantically linked to former tennis superstar Chris Evert. "I never cut off her credit cards. Some damage was done with sensational headlines. I got questions from people. There's always two sides to a story."

They Don't Call Him The Shark For Nothing!

Daphne Duret reports on the latest Norman divorce antics that ought to really help wine sales with the married female demo. Thanks to reader Steven T. for this:

What months ago was characterized as a nearly resolved divorce settlement between golf great Greg Norman and his wife, Laura, has now turned into the most contentious aspect of their split to date - one that has Laura Norman accusing Greg of changing the locks to the couple's Jupiter Island home and cutting off her credit cards.

According to paperwork filed by Laura's attorneys Monday, the tactics are all part of an attempt to "coerce" their client into signing a marital settlement agreement both parties referenced before Judge Lawrence Mirman in June.
Back then, they announced that they had settled all but one issue - a potential IRS tax liability from Greg's jet - in their yearlong divorce battle.

The couple's attorneys have since failed to get both Greg and Laura's signatures on several drafts of settlement terms, and Greg has cut off her access to credit cards which were Laura's only way to pay daily living expenses.

"She now has no means of support," her attorneys wrote.

Greg Norman's attorneys last week filed paperwork asking a judge to compel Laura Norman to sign the latest of these "term sheets," but Laura's attorneys in their motion Monday said the only reason Laura hasn't signed the papers is because Greg has altered and expanded the terms.

Laura says Greg, who in the golf world in nicknamed "The Great White Shark," has also refused to pay her attorneys' fees and "is attempting to starve (her) out so she has no choice but to surrender to his positions," Laura's attorneys Jack Scarola and Russell J. Ferraro wrote.

Greg's lawyers, in a letter to Scarola, said he has already paid them about $725,000 to fund the litigation, including a half-million dollar payout in April. The money, according to Laura's lawyers, has been used to pay attorneys' fees and hire a number of expert witnesses who pored over the couple's finances to come up with the settlement.

Attempts by Laura's lawyers to get more money was met earlier this month with a refusal from New York attorney Howard Sharfstein, part of Greg's legal team. In addition, according to Laura's lawyers, Greg fired the couple's housekeeper and changed the locks on their $21 million Jupiter Island estate.

Laura's attorneys said she never previously asked for alimony because she had been using credit cards from Great White Shark Enterprises, one of Greg's companies, but she is now asking Mirman to force Greg to pay until the divorce is final.

Greg's attorney Martin L. Haines last month said that he was eager to give Laura a huge payout that is a part of the settlement, but refused to do so until she signed the papers.

Sharfstein offered only one way out in a letter dated Aug. 6: "An expedited execution of the marital agreement will put into your client's hands more than sufficient funds to meet all of her obligations," Sharfstein wrote.

Attorneys for the Normans could not be reached for comment Monday.

Greg Norman, whose net worth has been estimated at half a billion dollars, filed for divorce in the summer of last year to end the couple's 25-year marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

Norman's May Not Go To Trial; Brand May Be Saved

Because I know you were very worried about that IRS issues the Shark faced on his jet sale, you'll be glad to know it's about to be resolved, sparing us of a brand-diminishing trial in which...oh we'll never know.