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Golf: Norman, Dye play new Tuscany Reserve
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Pete Dye was amazed. He may have been impressed by his co-design of Tuscany Reserve with Greg Norman. But it was the condition.
Specifically, it was the seadwarf paspalum, a saltwater-tolerant grass on the Tuscany Reserve layout in North Naples, that the noted architect couldn’t stop raving about during an appearance at the 2-year-old course on Friday.
“I haven’t seen a golf course like this anyplace in the world in as good a shape and condition as this one. Ever,’’ Dye said. “I mean anyplace. Really. And I’ve seen a few.’’
So has Norman, who enjoyed working with Dye at The Medalist, Norman’s course on the East Coast.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Pete’s, ever since day one when we worked on The Medalist,’’ Norman said after playing the course with Dye. “To hear what he sees, it’s just phenomenal. I watched him go around today and he’d kind of disappear and go look at something. You say ‘OK, now, what’s he looking at?’ He’s got that mind that continually works and works and works.’’
The appearance of Norman, 53, and Dye, 82, came less than two months after the reported sale of the property ended. In early January, an e-mail was sent to the prospective buyer from a community sales agent saying developer WCI Communites Inc. “is no longer looking to sell it” and that marketing is gearing up again.
WCI invested hundreds of millions in the community to create an authentic Tuscan village with arched stone bridges, towering fountains, pavers and lush landscaping, including an impressive barrier berm of bushes and trees facing Interstate 75.
Later in the afternoon, Norman and Dye met with members, and WCI executives David Fry and Ed D’Alessandro.
Friday capped a big week for Norman. A week ago, he played in the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico on a course he designed. It was his second PGA Tour event of the season — the most official events since he played two on the PGA Tour and two on the Champions Tour in 2005.
He’ll also play in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai in April, and would like to play in the British Open and Senior British Open in the summer.
“In May, I might try to play a couple,’’ he said, before catching himself. “I’m getting too far ahead of myself. I feel like I’m back on the tour.’’
Earlier in the week, Norman found out he’ll get to be closer to the tour.
He was named the captain of the International Team for the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park in San Francisco. Fred Couples will captain the U.S. Team.
The PGA Tour runs the Presidents Cup, meaning Norman dealt with commissioner Tim Finchem, with whom he’s had a frosty relationship over the years.
“Very good dialogue with Finchem for about two weeks,’’ Norman said. “I’d ask him questions and he’d come back with the answers and I’d have more questions after the answers. The process was handled well, professionally. That’s why, at the end of the day, after sitting down and figuring it all out, it was probably the right decision to make.’’
Norman wanted to make sure everyone was aware of what the expectations were for him and of him, and how those would fit in with his various business and golf interests.
“I do travel a lot, a little different than Freddie in that regard,’’ Norman said.
The Presidents Cup will be in October, less than two months before Norman’s Merrill Lynch Shootout at Tiburon in North Naples. Couples has been a frequent competitor in the unofficial PGA Tour event as well.
Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia won the two-person event over Norman and Bubba Watson in December.
“I still continue to get notes from players or volunteers or corporate sponsors,’’ Norman said. “All of the players write back and say what a great week it was. We always try to make the next year better than the year before.’’
Demons next door? Your neighbor’s Great Dane took a nap in your flower bed and mistook the front lawn for a loo — and this was on a good day. The music next door may as well be under your bed. You’re wondering why the fruit is disappearing off your trees near someone else’s kitchen window. You have — or have had — neighbors from hell? Tell us about them. We’d like to know what neighbors drove you to the limits, and what — if it was possible with neighbors like that — solved the problem. You don’t need to give us your neighbor’s names, but we do want to hear your experiences for a story on the demons next door, and how to deal with them. Email 
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