Chipping and Putting While Merrill Burns

Well, we know what Stan O’Neal was doing while Merrill Lynch was going through its worst crisis since I left the warm confines “Mother Merrill” lo those many years ago.

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, Mr. O’Neal’s extracurricular activities are available for all to see:

Metropolitan Golf Association – GHIN – 9.1 Purchase Golf Club of New York Effective 10/10/2007 Name : Stanley Oneal Score HistoryUsed T Date Score CR/Slope Diff. Course Name H 9/30/07 88 72.0/140 12.9 Purchase Country Club H 9/29/07 89 72.0/140 13.7 Purchase Country Club * AI 9/22/07 80 70.7/123 8.5 Waccabuc Country Club AI 9/22/07 89 71.1/133 15.2 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club AI 9/22/07 90 72.0/140 14.5 Purchase Country Club AI 9/15/07 90 72.4/140 14.2 * H 9/3/07 84 72.0/140 9.7 Purchase Country Club H 9/2/07 91 72.0/140 15.3 Purchase Country Club H 9/1/07 87 71.6/133 13.1 Vineyard Golf Club * H 8/31/07 83 71.6/133 9.7 Vineyard Golf Club * H 8/29/07 85 71.6/133 11.4 Vineyard Golf Club * H 8/26/07 85 71.6/133 11.4 Vineyard Golf Club * AI 8/26/07 83 70.5/133 10.6 AI 8/19/07 86 71.9/133 12.0 AI 8/19/07 85 71.5/134 11.4 AI 8/19/07 93 72.1/132 17.9 * AI 8/19/07 80 70.5/133 8.1 * AI 8/18/07 83 71.1/133 10.1 * H 8/12/07 86 72.0/140 11.3 Purchase Country Club * A 8/12/07 76 70.8/137 4.3 Away Score Posted at Home Club Score Type: H – Home, A – Away, T – Tournament, P – Penalty, C – Combined 9H, I – Internet Not having a handicap myself, I don’t quickly grasp what all the numbers mean, except that while Mother Merrill was melting down, Mr. O’Neal was finding solace on the links.

Any readers thinking we are making this up can go to the following web site: http://www.ghin.com/lookups/index.html and find the numbers for themselves.

Fancy golf clubs such as the above tend not to allow cell phone calls on the course or even in the club house…presumably, then, Mr. O’Neal at least kept up with the problems on his Blackberry?

Jeff Matthews I Am Not Making This Up

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The content contained in this blog represents the opinions of Mr. Matthews. Mr. Matthews also acts as an advisor and clients advised by Mr. Matthews may hold either long or short positions in securities of various companies discussed in the blog based upon Mr. Matthews’ recommendations. This commentary in no way constitutes a solicitation of business or investment advice. It is intended solely for the entertainment of the reader, and the author.