QandA: Former super agent Hughes Norton, author of ‘Rainmaker,’ on being fired by Tiger Woods and Greg Norman and much more
Tiger Woods with his original IMG management team of Hughes Norton (right) and Clarke Jones (left).
If you’re looking for one small positive outcome from the splintering of professional golf caused by the renegade LIV Golf league, may I offer “Rainmaker,” the story of Superagent Hughes Norton and the Money Grab Explosion of Golf from Tiger to LIV to Beyond (Atria Books/$28.99).
Twenty-five years ago, Norton was a big deal in the golf world, some might say huge. Another golf publication dubbed him “the most powerfully hated agent in sports.” But after being fired by Tiger Woods and soon thereafter by his employer, the sports management behemoth IMG, Norton was paid handsomely not to work, nor compete against his own company and definitely not to spill the beans on how the sausage was made. And so by the time that deal had expired, he was old news and a mostly forgotten figure in the game. But he still had an incredible story to tell and a wealth of knowledge on the explosion of professional golf.
The response to a podcast he did two years ago sparked renewed interest in the idea of writing his memoir. Book publishers, however, only want slam dunks. And, he said, the PGA Tour-LIV campaign gave birth to this book. Thus join the two main characters of the drama: Tiger Woods, who defends the importance of the tour and the legacy of its players, and Greg Norman, who takes all the slings and arrows to the leader of the Renegade Group financed by Saudi Arabia. You have become a customer. Norton’s employees were upset and fired him.
“Who knows these people better than their customers?” “I did,” Norton said.
Anyway, bye. Because this is one of the best golf books I’ve read in a long time. In addition to Tiger and Shark, Norton takes us into the world of Hall of Famers Tom Watson, Curtis Strange, Raymond Floyd, Mark O’Meara, Nancy Lopez and the golf stars who dominated the charts. move on He is the real-life Bob Sugar of the famous “Jerry Maguire” and tells a colorful and detailed story about his life, his interests and the business he is in. I know most of the credit goes to George Peper, co-author of the field report. Nothing is lost on fastballs.
Peper builds the book’s narrative so well that Norton can register its ups and downs, warts and all. But everyone I’ve talked to who’s read the book goes straight to the tiger chapter, starting on page 157. I’ll avoid spoilers, but everyone who reads this book will The next chapter starts long after they go to bed. I couldn’t put it down.
Norton spoke to Golfweek about his book and his famous clients, especially Tiger and Norman, and he didn’t hold back. The following is a short and concise edited version..
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