Which Apocalyptic Sign Is This?

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Nine remaining contestants will receive a surprise visit from course designer Greg Norman for the opening challenge, with the winners receiving immunity to the next episode.  For the remaining contestants, the popular “glass break challenge” returns, followed by an emotional challenge that will eliminate one contestant from the series.  Each player is competing to win her “Big Break” – tournament sponsor exemptions to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational presented by Bamanex and Corona Light on the LPGA Tour and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour.

So does this speak to the state of Greg Norman's image and course design career that he's resorting to reality show appearances at courses he's designed, or is this just how watched and followed the "Big Break" series has become?

Judging by the story on Norman's site, this appears to be a badge of honor...

The 13th season of Golf Channel's popular series, Big Break, premieres on Monday, June 21st at the 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf course at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas - the newest Luxury Included® Sandals Resort. Featuring an all-female cast of 11 aspiring professional golfers, the 10-episode reality series showcases the contestants competing against one another in a variety of physical and mental challenges. During Big Break Sandals Resorts, one contestant is eliminated each week, with the final player receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn a sponsor's exemption to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

"I was surprised to hear for the first time that they might be going to refer projects to me in the future. I look forward to them coming."

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An Nick Tabokoff story on Greg Norman closing his course design office and opening one in China notes this from his spokesman.

Norman's spokesman Bart Collins said from the US that the company had "retrenched two or three executives" in Sydney.

Love the military terminology. So much more masculine that the B-school lingo. Or are they one and the same?

This was rather astounding:

Despite no longer playing golf regularly on the circuit, Norman remains Australia's highest-earning sportsman, with BRW estimating that he earned $15 million last year, largely because of his success in golf course design.

And now for the all out obfuscation (writer jargon for lies):

Mr Collins said Norman had the highest respect for his recently departed Australian course architects, Harrison and Kruse.

"If the project isn't appropriate to Greg Norman, we'll refer work to them," he said.

But Mr Harrison said last night: "I was surprised to hear for the first time that they might be going to refer projects to me in the future. I look forward to them coming."

“I love it. It’s a good layout. But I think some of the greens are a little severe for the shots we’re hitting.”

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Kevin Robbins' blog post on the early concerns about the difficulty of Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia's (LOL) co-design of the new tour stop at TPC San Antonio should make Thursday's first round worth watching.

What I did gather is this: The 7,435-yard course is too hemmed by native areas to play at its full length. In a torrid wind (see: today), holes such as the 213-yard No. 3 (all carry over water), the narrow 481-yard No. 4, the 447-yard No. 10 (to a plateau green) and the 241-yard (enough said) No. 13 are just too much. And the greens? I spent a good hour with a caddie I’ve known for a while. He played Division I college golf. He’s played the mini tours. He was not impressed with Greg Norman’s multi-level, elevated greens at TPC San Antonio, which are running about 10 on the Stimp because anything faster would eliminate too many positions. “Stupid,” the caddie called them.

Now let’s be fair. Omar Uresti, the Austin resident and former Longhorn, had lots of praise for the Oaks, which he’s played three times.

“It’s hard,” Uresti said. “I love it. It’s a good layout. But I think some of the greens are a little severe for the shots we’re hitting.”

Now, we hear this quite often at courses the players haven't seen, especially at majors. It'll be the hardest course we've ever seen, etc... and the first round lead is 65.

But Norman does have the distinction of building a course that was too difficult and never opened, so it is possible that he's built something the players will be justified in hating.

Even In A Sling, Scribblers Try Twisting Norman's Arm

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While Bob Harig reminds us of Greg Norman's history with the Presidents Cup (playing a 22-year-old Tiger, supporting the idea of the event), Steve Elling says that no one heard much of what Norman said today about his surprising selection of Adam Scott because he was too busy evading questions about the breakup with Chrissy.
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Chrissy Will Do Anything To Get Out Of Attending The Presidents Cup

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Leave her man? The same week he has shoulder surgery?

It wasn't long ago she was looping in the Augusta par-3 contest, suggesting Greg's ex "get a job," instilling "different thought processes" in Greg, filming nauseating Golf In America segments, buying back Greg's old house, then visiting the White House and taking all of the attention away from Tim Finchem. I suppose in that light, the Presidents Cup would be a letdown.

Doug Ferguson reports the surprising split between Christine Marie Evert Lloyd Mill Norman and Greg Norman and says it was announced on a Friday afternoon to help squelch any rumors when Chrissy didn't show next week at Harding Park.

Oh yes, this will really put the fire out.

And to think it was just three weeks ago she was taking Tim Rosaforte's money and consulting on Adam Scott's selection to the team.

Thus began the exercise of going through a process of elimination that started with me blurting out, "Well, you'll never take Adam Scott. He's playing like ..."

Greg never flinched, but I should have known looking at Chris' raised eyebrows and the way she shifted and looked out of the window that Scott was going to be one of Norman's choices. I even mentioned that Adam was dating the Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic and they were both slumping. Shortly after this awkward moment, a straight-faced Evert made the bet.

"You're going to be surprised," she said.

I'll say!

Norman Has Shoulder Surgery; Insists His Prez Cup Lineup Cards Will Not Be Affected

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Do I smell a sympathy sling in International Captain Greg Norman's future after today's procedure?

After experiencing ongoing discomfort in his right shoulder, Greg Norman underwent an arthroscopic procedure Wednesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The procedure was scheduled to allow adequate time for rehabilitation, meaning Norman's December playing schedule should not be interrupted.

"It was imperative that I take care of this because it was keeping me from performing at a level that suits my standards," Norman said. "The procedure will in no way impact my responsibilities at The Presidents Cup, and I very much look forward to captaining the International Team next week."