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Inside Greg Norman’s special friendship with Donald Trump

Donald Trump and Greg Norman are old pals.

Donald Trump and Greg Norman are old pals.

Golf legend Greg Norman became Australia’s foremost diplomat to the United States for a few brief moments last week when embassy officials were unable to find any contact details for Donald Trump after his shock election win.

On Thursday, it emerged that Norman was contacted by Australia’s ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, in the hours after Mr Trump’s surprising victory. Mr Hockey was looking for a phone number.

The 61-year-old two-time major winner passed on Mr Trump’s details and, as a result, Mr Turnbull was reportedly the second world leader to congratulate the real estate mogul.

While that series of events highlights the unconventional transition process for Mr Trump, one that he has been forced to deny is in disarray, it also reveals the strong relationship Norman has with the incoming US President.

The news was followed by confirmation from Norman on Thursday. It said:

“It was a pleasure and an honour to facilitate the connection between PM Turnbull and president-elect Trump at the request of Ambassador Hockey.

“I have great respect for both men who have been voted in by the people of their respective countries and I am fortunate enough to call Mr. Trump a friend, so I was happy to put them in touch to further the incredible long-standing relationship the two countries have experienced.”

While it seems puzzling that such a significant phone call would be organised through an ex-golfer, Mr Trump has few links to traditional political structures.

As further investigation shows, Mr Trump and Norman are more than acquaintances – they are golf buddies and business partners.

They speak regularly, too, with the Australian writing in a Newsweek column that he “had spoken to Donald on numerous occasions since the election”.

The relationship begins

Norman said in an interview republished on his personal website earlier this year that he had known Mr Trump for “more than a decade”.

donald trump golf course

Donald Trump’s love for golf is well known. Photo: Getty

He added that the pair had played golf together “many times”, but it appears their first foray in business together came in 2012 when the American bought the Point Lake Golf Club near Charlotte for $US6 million.

Norman originally designed the course in 1999 and was called upon to redesign it to Mr Trump’s “championship standards”.

The Aussie was quoted in the Mooresville Tribune in 2013, at the launch of the new course, as saying it was “an amazing piece of property”.

But golf writer and author Jim Dodson wrote at the time that Mr Trump’s own personal spin on the designs had apparently annoyed Norman.

“I spotted Greg Norman and moseyed over to say hello … he didn’t seem terribly happy, though,” Mr Dodson said.

“I later learned from someone who knows him well that The Great White [Norman’s nickname] was unhappy about the alterations Trump’s team had made to his course.”

A similar incident took place after Mr Trump parted with £8.7 million to buy the Irish golf resort, Doonbeg, and made wholesale changes to the course – again originally designed by Mr Norman.

He wasn’t mincing his words on this occasion, though, telling Today’s Golfer he was seriously annoyed.

“I’m incredibly disappointed he’s not using us [to modify the course],” Norman said.

greg norman golf

Greg Norman was not happy about changes Trump’s team made to his course. Photo: Getty

“After all we’ve done there, all the site visits, and the way we worked with the environmentalists all the time, no one else knows more about that place than we do.

“I think our name is going to come off it now. It’s incredibly disappointing.”

Perhaps pre-empting Mr Trump’s move, Norman pleaded with him – via the press – to contact him if he wanted to make changes to the course.

He didn’t and Norman was greatly annoyed, but evidently, he got over it.

Mr Trump’s bid for power

As the US election loomed large, Norman – not a citizen but a very interested party given he resides in America – was not shy in offering his opinion.

In an appearance on the Fox Business Network, he told host Stuart Varney that Mr Trump’s economic plan was better than the alternative offered by Hillary Clinton.

“We have so much money sitting offshore,” he said.

“We need money coming back in. People getting zero per cent on their money is not good.”

In an interview with Links Magazine, he added: “Donald has stirred up the base of America. A lot of people wish they could say what he’s saying.”

Norman’s support of the property mogul was not completely partisan – he did make mention of the unfortunate “hatred” of the many presidential debates – but he was quick to hail his election win.

donald trump speaks

Norman felt the presidential debates got too heated. Photo: AAP/AP

“I think he will surprise many with what he will do with the presidency, but not himself. He has a clear vision,” he wrote for Newsweek.

“I believe he will fill a cabinet with quality, experienced doers that are like-minded yet strong enough to redirect him if they so believe.”

Showing off his new-found status as Australia’s foremost diplomat, he added: “I will say that I have spoken to the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, and he is on board with wanting to see President-elect Trump succeed.

“I am optimistic and feel that it is an interesting and exciting time to be in America.”

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