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Times-Union
(Jacksonville, FL)
Norman Uses Presidential Connections;
Bush, Clinton Play In Tournament To Raise Money For Tsunami Relief

By Garry Smits

Logenix President & CEO, Ron Cruse with Greg Norman, President Clinton and President Bush HOBE SOUND -- Greg Norman wanted to do something to aid the victims of the Southeast Asia Tsunami. It helped that he had two ex-presidents on his speed dial.

The World Golf Hall of Fame member and 1994 Players Championship winner joined with former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton on Wednesday in a charity golf tournament at his Medalist Golf Club.

Billed as "Three Friends: One Goal," the event is expected to raise close to $2 million. The money will be distributed to AmeriCares and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, two nonprofit agencies helping victims of the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami.

Participants in the tournament donated $30,000 each.

Bush and Clinton were enlisted by President George W. Bush to spearhead America's tsunami relief efforts. Clinton said they were told recently that private donations from the U.S. were nearing $1 billion.

"I wanted to do something to help [tsunami relief] and I called these two gentlemen," Norman said, flanked by the two ex-presidents at a press conference at the Medalist Club. "It couldn't have happened without them."

Both former presidents pointed out that golf was a unique vehicle for charity,

"When Greg suggested this, Bill and I readily accepted," said Bush, who was wearing a Presidents Cup golf shirt. "Golf and golfers are brilliant points of light. They want to help each other."

"People who love golf tend to be honorable people," said Clinton, who played despite having heart surgery scheduled today. "It produces the kind of people we have here today."

The tournament was able to complete nine holes despite a steady rain. Clinton joked that he finally had a chance to play the Martin County course Norman designed and built.

"I tried to play here once before, and I tripped on Greg's step," Clinton said, referring to an incident while he was president when he injured his knee while staying at Norman's home. "I walked up and down that step a few times [the previous night]. I'm three-for-four now."