As far as Greg Norman is concerned, ignorance is bliss when it comes to the monstrous Bethpage Black course.
“I heard a lot of good things about this golf course,” said Norman. “I didn’t read a single word about it. I just heard about it. I’m glad I didn’t read about it because I think you’re better off coming in here on your own interpretations and do what your eyeballs tell you.”
Norman still has the eyes of a shark, if not the bite. Shoulder surgery in 1998 and hip surgery two years later have combined with age (47) to reduce Norman’s standing as the Great White Shark of golf.
Norman had to qualify to get into the 2002 Open, a tournament he almost won in 1984, losing a dramatic playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller, and in 1995, when he collapsed the final day. In defeat, Norman, who has finished second at eight majors, endeared himself to metropolitan area golf fans.
The ’84 Open was played at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck. Before the start of the 18-hole playoff, Zoeller pulled a white telephone out of his bag and asked Norman if he wanted to make a last call. Norman graciously took the phone but he dialed a wrong number on the course as Zoeller won going away.
The ’95 Open was at Shinnecock on the east end of Long Island and the pressure was on Norman to win a major in the U.S (he’s won two British Opens). But Norman simply didn’t have it on the final day and fans still remember him lying on his golf bag as Corey Pavin won at even par.
It came as no surprise that huge galleries followed Norman on his practice round Tuesday. Many of those fans wore Norman golf apparel that bears his shark logo.
“They all can relate to the golf course, which is kind of nice,” said Norman. “But getting 40,000 opinions in one day is a little bit of an overload. You stand there and ask your caddie where to go and all of a sudden 16 people on the tee will tell you where to go. That’s kind of neat actually.”
Norman was blown away by his first experience on the 7,214-yard Black Course. He was stunned to hear that there has been talk of a course record being set.
“Whoever said that might be eating a lot of humble pie at the end of the week,” said Norman. “This is no pushover golf course. The greens are flat, but you got to get it there and the greens have some nice speed to them.”
Despite his vast wealth, he’s remained a golfer for the people. He’s been recognized for his work with the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and was an Olympic Torch bearer at the Sydney Olympics.
“At the end of the day when the tournament is won by the 2002 champ, [the fans] can say, ‘I hit it right there where he hit it,’ ” said Norman. “It’s kind of neat when you bring the public into it.”
IN THE BAG
TIGER WOODS
Driver: Nike Forged Titanium 7.5-degree
3-wood: Titleist 970 Series 13-degree
Irons (2-PW): Titleist forged prototype
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 56-degree and 60-degree
Putter: Scotty Cameron Pro Platinum
Ball: Nike Tour Accuracy TW
Miscellany: His home-stitched bright orange tiger clubhead cover for the driver. It was hand-made by his mother, Kutilda, who stitched in the words, “Love from Mom,” in Thai on it.
PHIL MICKELSON
Driver: Titleist 975 JVS 7.5-degree
3-wood: Taylor Made 200 Series 13-degree
Irons (2-PW): 731 PM
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 50-degree and 56-degree
Sand wedge: Titleist prototype
Putter: Scotty Cameron JAT (stands for “Just a Thought)
Ball: Pro VI*
Miscellany: “Nothing,” Mickelson said. “I’m not superstitious.”
RETIEF GOOSEN
Driver: Taylor Made 510 Series
3-wood: Taylor Made 200 Series 13-degrees
Irons (2-PW): Taylor Made 300 Series
Wedges: Taylor Made 54-degree and 58-degree
Putter: Carbide
Ball: Pro VI
Miscellany: Uses a South African 2 Rand coin to mark his ball on the green. Asked how much 2 Rand is in U.S. currency, Goosen said, “Nothing … less than a quarter.”
JIM FURYK
Driver: Titleist 975J 8.5-degree
3-wood: Taylor Made 13-degree
4-wood: Orlimar 17-degree
Irons: (3-PW): Hogan Apex Plus
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 56-degree, Cleveland 485 60-degree
Putter: Odyssey
Ball: Strata Tour Ultimate
Miscellany: Etonic glove. “My caddie,” Furyk said of former Tiger Woods looper Fluff Cowan. “He’s fairly odd.”
DAVIS LOVE III
Driver: Titleist J 7.5-degree
3-wood: Titliest PT 13-degree
4-wood: Titliest Cleek 18-degree
Irons (3-9): Titliest 993
Pitching wedge: Titleist Vokey 50-degree
Sand and lob wedges: Titleist Forged
Putter: Ping Anser
Ball: Titleist Pro VI*
Miscellany: None
****
SERGIO GARCIA
Driver: LFE 9.5 degree
3-wood: PT 14-degree
Irons (2-6): Titleist 690 CV
Irons (7-9): Titliest Forged
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 48-degree, 52-degree, 58-degree
Putter: Ping
Ball: Titliest Pro VI
Miscellany: None
