Norman, Clinton, Bush Unite For One Goal: Tsunami Relief

By Tim Rosaforte
Golf World

HOBE SOUND, Fla. -- The downpour hitting South Florida didn't dampen Bill Clinton's spirit for the game - or his sense of humor. On the day before heart surgery, the charismatic former President awoke at Greg Norman's home on Jupiter Island, pulled on a waterproof suit, and joined The Shark along with former President George Bush in a day of golf to benefit the tsunami relief fund.

"I'll be fine tomorrow," Clinton said, referring to the low-risk operation scheduled the next day in Washington. "I'm glad I'm getting in my golf before going to the hospital this time."

Heavy rain didn't dampen the spirits of those pitching in for tsunami relief.

The reference was to his last visit to Norman's compound, when he slipped walking down the front steps before a member-guest at The Medalist and tore a ligament in his right knee, sending Wolf Blitzer to our screens that morning in 1997 to explain in grave tones what happened. Norman has always been sensitive about that accident, but the way Clinton handled it, hopefully Greg can laugh about it now, too.

"I've gone down those steps three times so I'm three-for-four," Clinton said. "I might go back and do it one more time to get my percentage up."

This was the first time the two Presidents played together since the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic when Clinton was in office just before his spill at the Norman estate. Norman and President Bush have played in Kennebunkport, Maine. "The love of golf is the common denominator here," Norman said.

Over $1.8 million was generated from their one-day outing but the way it was framed in some media outlets this gathering was just a case of rich men getting together at an exclusive club to stroke each other over their bankrolls.

The question came up early from a local news anchor, and when Norman heard the reference to an "elitist sport," he did his best to compose himself and answer without getting defensive. It's a perception of golf that will never go away, even though as President Bush later pointed out, "the game has changed since my Grandfather, George Herbert Walker Bush first presented the Walker Cup in 1922. Then it was an elitist sport. It's not the case now."

Before this turned into an attack and not a celebration of goodwill, Clinton grabbed his mike and explained how the American people have already donated $1 billion to the cause, some people writing checks for "twenty five and thirty bucks," some of them school children, many of them poor. "A guy came off the streets of Harlem into our office and gave $150," Clinton said, noting the latest public opinion poll in Indonesia favoring America because of its relief efforts.

What was missed here by the discernment of golf having a closed-door policy is that an Aussie rainmaker can bring together a Republican President and a Democratic President and have them smiling together like long-lost buds.

Bush and Clinton had been united by the devastation in Southeast Asia. They praised Norman for turning the attention to them, but said The Shark was being too modest.

"Golf and golfers are what I refer to as bright points of life," Bush said. "They want to help each other."

The bright points were shining at The Medalist, even in the rain.