A Golf Event With Warren Buffett and 98 Other CEOs, and a Decision to Never Play Again: Story Retold
Warren Buffett bei der Premiere des Kinofilms The Post / Die Verlegerin im Newseum. Washington, 14.12.2017 *** Warren Buffett at the premiere of the movie The Post The publisher at Newseum Washington 14 12 2017 Foto:xD.xVanxTinex/xFuturexImage
Warren Buffett bei der Premiere des Kinofilms The Post / Die Verlegerin im Newseum. Washington, 14.12.2017 *** Warren Buffett at the premiere of the movie The Post The publisher at Newseum Washington 14 12 2017 Foto:xD.xVanxTinex/xFuturexImage
"Golfing can be hazardous to your health," Andrew Tobias wrote in 1997. While Tobias was never big on golf, that stance developed when he was invited to a charity golf tournament featuring nearly 100 CEOs, senators, governors, and one of the most recognizable figures in global finance, Warren Buffett.
He explained in the story in his book 'My Vast Fortune,' how he had literally never played golf in his life. “Well, a little miniature golf,” he admitted.
Despite his lack of experience, Tobias eventually agreed to go when his discount broker insisted. Tobias knew he was out of his element from the start, and Warren Buffett's presence made no difference.
"I was feeling really lousy — until we hit on the idea of playing for money. For me, this made it fun and improved my concentration," but it didn't really leave an impression. So when a billionaire asked how he did, Tobias gave a sarcastic reply.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Bernd Wiesberger AUT silhouette on the 18th fairway for his second shot during the 2nd round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 08/11/2024 Picture: Fran Caffrey Golffile All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Fran Caffrey Copyright: xFranxCaffreyx *EDI*
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Bernd Wiesberger AUT silhouette on the 18th fairway for his second shot during the 2nd round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 08/11/2024 Picture: Fran Caffrey Golffile All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Fran Caffrey Copyright: xFranxCaffreyx *EDI*
"Best d*** golf I ever played. I played the best d*** golf of my life today," he said. "It was also the last damn game of golf I ever played," he wrote about the experience.
However, it wasn't just Andrew Tobias's unexciting performance on the greens that drove home the point that golf wasn't for him.
Andrew Tobias Stunned Everyone With His Suggestion
While Tobias had reluctantly agreed to his discount broker's request, he decided to dress for the occasion. He emailed his secretary, “Buy me the most expensive pair of golf pants you can find.”
Yet, during the 18 holes, Tobias admitted he asked the host, the then-president of Accutrade, what he later realized was an embarrassing question.
“Wouldn’t it be a lot easier and more efficient if there were just one bag of clubs on the cart for all four of us?”
His host paused. His eyes widened, just slightly. Then, once it became clear Tobias was serious, he replied, “People come in different heights.”
Things didn't get much better as the event progressed. Because the charity event had taken over the entire course, each foursome stayed well apart, and the only witnesses to Tobias’s struggles were his partners and the caddie. As he put it, it was bad, “but it could have been worse.”
Written by
Dolly Bhamrick
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi