Arguably the most successful athlete-turned-businessman in the world, Greg Norman is known as much for his entrepreneurial spirit in the boardroom as his dominance on the golf course.
The internationally renowned "Great White Shark" won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including two Open Championships, and he holds the distinction of defending his No. 1 position in the world golf rankings for 331 weeks, the second-longest reign in history. As one of the most prolific players in the game's history, his career culminated in 2001 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame with a higher percentage of votes than any other inductee in history. In 2009 and 2011, Greg served as the Presidents Cup captain of the International Team.
Greg Norman now transcends the game of golf, with over a dozen companies around the world bearing his name and the iconic shark logo as part of the Greg Norman Company, which he leads as Chairman & CEO. His internationally recognized brand boasts more than 100 golf course designs across six continents, a global real estate collection, award-winning wine, golf-inspired lifestyle apparel and a diverse investment division. Across all facets of business, the Greg Norman Brand consistently delivers the quality that his name is synonymous with and continues to inspire people to attack life.
Gregory John Norman was born on February 10, 1955 in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He played rugby and Aussie Rules football while growing up but became hooked on golf at age 15 after serving as a caddie for his mother. His first golf instruction came through Jack Nicklaus' book, Golf My Way, and after a mere 18 months, Norman played to a scratch handicap. At the age of 20, Norman continued to concentrate on his golf game while working as a trainee in the Royal Queensland Golf Club, earning $28 per week. In 1976 at the age of 21, he turned pro and won his first professional event, the West Lakes Classic, the same year.
Norman began competing on the PGA TOUR full-time in 1983 and became one of the most dominant players in the world in the 1980s and '90s. In his prime, Norman's practice sessions were notoriously grueling and he had a reputation as one of the hardest workers on TOUR. This renowned work ethic combined with his natural ability propelled him to become the top-ranked golfer in the world, a status he held for over six years. He is a five-time recipient of the Byron Nelson Award, a three-time Vardon Trophy winner, three-time Arnold Palmer Award winner, the 1995 PGA TOUR Player of the Year, and is the first player in TOUR history to surpass $10 million in career earnings.
Throughout his life, Norman's philanthropic efforts have quietly raised millions of dollars for charities, including CureSearch for Children's Cancer, which for over two decades has been the primary benefactor of Norman's PGA TOUR sanctioned event, the QBE Shootout.
Greg lives in Hobe Sound, Florida, with his wife Kirsten. He has two grown children, Morgan and Greg Jr., and three grandchildren, Harrison, Hendrix and Poppy.
