TERRE HAUTE — If William Shakespeare were still alive, searching for a leading man for one of his famous tragedies such as “Julius Caesar,” “Othello” or “Hamlet,” Greg Norman would undoubtedly be a perfect fit for a leading man’s role.
No other golfer of the modern era has had defeat snatched away from what seemed to be a perfunctory victory so many times as the Shark. Norman’s prowess on golf courses throughout the world can’t be ignored as his once, number one ranking would attest, but then his opponents lined up to administer a number of heartbreaking defeats that would have made a lesser man deposit his golf clubs in the nearest lake.
It didn’t matter whether it was a PGA regular tour event or a major championship, it seemed as though the deck was always stacked against the broad shouldered Aussie.
It was in the PGA Championship that Bob Tway short sided himself in a deep greenside bunker. Norman was safely on the green when Tway banged his sand shot into the cup and when Norman missed a 30 foot putt the championship belonged to Tway.
In sudden death at The Masters with Larry Mize some 20 yards short of the green in two and Norman putting for a birdie, it appeared the Shark would have two putts for the win, but Mize’s pitch and run found the center of the cup. Once again the Shark had his pocket picked when he was unable to sink his 25 footer.
It was in Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Classic that Greg had the tournament won — almost. Robert Gamez came to the 72nd hole needing a bird to tie for the championship. He did a bit better than make birdie on the par four when his seven-iron second shot from 175 yards flew into the cup on the fly and the title was his. Gamez high-fived his caddy after the shot with too much gusto and injured his hand. The injury hampered his golf game for several years after the incident.
In another PGA tournament David Frost found himself 200 yards from the final green in a bunker with low hanging tree limbs in front of him with 180 yards of water to carry, just to reach a bunker some twenty yards short of the green. Frost needed to scramble out a par to tie The Shark and force a playoff.
The TV announcers figured Frost had only a 20 per cent chance of making it over the menacing water, especially since he had to hit a low shot to avoid the overhanging tree branches. Anyone in his right mind would put his money on The Shark, right? Wrong is the correct answer as Frost made it across the water to the bunker and then player a long sand shot that scooted like a mouse heading for his hole. Result: a birdie three and no trophy for Mr. Norman.
At another PGA Championship at Inverness Country Club in Toledo (OH), Paul Azinger birdied the 71st hole to finish in a tie with Norman. The Zinger took home the Wanamaker Trophy when Norman three putted from about 25 feet above the cup during the overtime. He left his first putt some four feet short even though the putt was downhill on super slick greens. He then lipped out his putt.
Perhaps the bitterest defeat for Greg was the 1996 Masters. After chewing up the August National course for three days, The Shark stood on the first tee of the final round with a six shot lead and basically only one man to beat. Unfortunately, that man was Nick Faldo, a bulldog type competitor who could display the tenacity of a snapping turtle.
When Norman’s swing seemed to desert him, it was Faldo there to take full advantage. By the start of the second nine The Shark’s teeth had disappeared. Faldo continued to play subpar golf for the championship as Norman was left to ponder what could have been. He had confided that The Masters was at the top of the list of tournaments he most coveted.
Along the way, there were a couple of British Open wins that Greg did not allow to escape, but overall he remains a sympathetic figure earning the dubious title of “The player who comes close, but gets no cigar.” Bolstering that tag is the fact that he finished second at least twice in each of the four majors, once when Indiana’s own Fuzzy Zoeller beat him in a playoff for the U.S. Open. Since Norman, with his stylish, aggressive play, has always been a gallery favorite; it’s too bad that golf fans don’t have the opportunity to see him in action in tournaments more often here in the states. This stems from a PGA rule that stipulates a golfer must agree to play a required number of tournaments on the tour in order to receive full playing privileges. Since Norman fails to meet those regulations, he plays his golf elsewhere.
Greg, however, doesn’t suffer financially. He can travel by airplane, yacht or helicopter when he chooses to get from point A to point B. He owns all of them.
Several years ago, I watched as a youngster about 11 years old followed The Shark around a course. I thought it was odd that the young man was walking “inside the ropes,” something that ordinarily would not be allowed. Later the announcer explained that the young fellow was there at the request of the “Make a Wish Foundation.” It seemed that the youngster had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and his wish was to watch Norman play in a tournament. When Greg blasted out of a bunker and holed a three foot putt on the final hole, the tournament was his.
At the awards ceremony, The Shark dedicated his win to the young cancer victim, and then presented him with the championship trophy. In his acceptance speech he alluded to the fact that in his estimation it’s not the winners of tournaments who are heroes, but the real heroes are those who battle to overcome dreaded diseases such as the young boy who had shadowed him during the tourney just completed. I’ve never seen another professional golfer emulate Norman’s graciousness.
After his heartbreaking defeat in that 1996 Masters, The Shark went to the press tent and answered every question put to him by the golf writers. Few if any of today’s superstars would ever be present in the press tent if the same circumstances befell them.
It was also Norman who suggested a format for the pros that would include number of tournaments that would be open to contestants from all over the world. The PGA promptly shot down his idea and later, came up with World Golf Championships as though the idea was that of the PGA brass.
At any rate, Greg Norman has always contributed greatly to professional golf around the globe. Not only has his play been spectacular, but also he has distinguished himself as a generous and caring human being.
* * *
In the recent 12th Annual H.O.T. Open played at Oak Ridge Golf Course the team of Scott Kirkpatrick, Sherrie Kirkpatrick, Sam Smith and Lowell Smith finished in a tie with the Treadway team composed of Dave, Bob and Jon Treadway. Placing third were Scott Smith, Wendy Norris, Mike Mangrum and Mike Shake.
-- Long wins — Congratulations to Dale Long on his recent win in the Casey Amateur. The Illinois tourney has been a favorite of local golfers since 1951.
Long is a former Terre Haute South swinger who was capable of firing even par rounds while still a junior high school student. He also helped the Braves to the IHSAA finals during his days at South. Nice playing, Dale.
-- Tip of the week — To achieve better shots, be sure that the arm farthest from the ball is completely relaxed before beginning the backswing. All that arm is going to do is fold and stay close to your side during the swing. Tension in your trailing arm can lead to disaster.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com or by mail at the Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: The Bard never played golf
- Rub of the Green
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: Strange stories connected to golf
- Rub of the Green: Holmes held ‘corner on the market’ of club championships When it comes to winning club championships it would appear that amiable Ron Holmes has held a “corner on the market” while winning a total of 28 of these titles throughout his 50 years as an amateur golfer.
- Rub of the Green: Woods vs. Yang at PGA proves anything can happen Tiger Woods wants to win major golf championships, and he wants to win them in the worst way. With 14 of them already in his resume, it looked obvious that the 2009 PGA Championship would be No. 15, especially since Tiger, No. 1 in the world, had never lost a major holding the lead going into the final round. But then, as most golfers know, cow pasture pool can be a crazy, weird and wild game.
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