Surgery Looms, But Clinton Golfs In Hobe Sound

Associated Press

HOBE SOUND, Fla. -- A day before he's supposed to enter a hospital for surgery, former President Bill Clinton joined former President George H.W. Bush at a golf tournament to raise money for tsunami victims.

Golf great Greg Norman is hosting the tournament at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound in hopes of raising more than $2 million for victims of the December tsunami.

Former presidents Bush and Clinton are expected to hang out with the 72 guests at the fund-raiser, who will have paid $30,000 each to play in the one-day shotgun and scramble event.

The club has about 250 members, including Dan Marino and Wayne Huizenga.

Clinton is set to enter a hospital Thursday, almost six months after having heart bypass surgery, to have a buildup of fluid and scar tissue removed from his chest. The condition was discovered during a recent X-ray.

Clinton said doctors gave him the go-ahead to play in the charity event. He said the problem has constricted his breathing -- but that he's stayed "very active," and doctors told him it was fine for him to play golf.

Clinton reminded reporters that the last time he visited Norman in Florida, he fell off the step of the golfer's home and ended up in the hospital with a leg injury. This time, he joked, at least he will get to play golf before going to the hospital.