We know now that there won't be any Shark sightings in the waters of the Hamptons in the near future. Why? Because his ex-wife just plunked down $11.1 million - $2 million less than the listed price - for an estate in Southampton.

Happier Times: Greg and Laura in 1993 after he won the British Open.

What do you call someone worth $500 million who after 25 years of marriage falls in love with a tennis superstar? Greg Norman, also known as the Shark. Now his wife, Laura Andrassy, will console herself in the Hamptons with the $103 million she was given in the June divorce settlement. Just one sign that the great golfer took a substantial hit just last week he lowered the asking price of his Jupiter Island manse to $47.5 million from $65 million. (If you're interested, it is being listed by The Corcoran Group.)

It is certainly likely that the ex-Mrs. Norman will get involved in the Hamptons social and fundraising scene. She played a large role in the international success of her husband and knows the right people at that level. It was reported in 1986 when Greg Norman finished tied for 12th in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills that he and Laura were interested in some East End real estate. Instead, it was the winner of that year's Open, Raymond Floyd, and his wife, who bought property in Southampton and built a house on it. (Floyd is now a member of the Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton as well as Shinnecock Hills.) Norman and his wife were back at Shinnecock Hills in 1995, but his final-round 73 left him two shots short of Corey Pavin, the Open winner that year, and maybe that disappointment persuaded him to look elsewhere for another home outside of Australia. Apparently, Laura wasn't as disappointed with the Hamptons.

Norman is one of golf's true superstars. Because of the unprecedented success of Tiger Woods, it tends to be overlooked that in the 1980s and 1990s Norman spent 331 weeks – that's over six years! – as the number one ranked golfer in the world. He came out of Queensland, Australia, where his mother had just a single-digit handicap. He was only 21 when he won his first professional tournament in Australia. Then he went and conquered the world.

First, the golf world. He won the British Open twice, in 1986 and 1996. He led the PGA Tour in earnings in 1986, 1990 and 1995. In 1994, he averaged only 68.81 per round, which is equivalent to a 30-win season for a pitcher or Wayne Gretzky's record-setting 215-point season. He was the bridge between the fading of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to the ascendancy of Woods, who made his professional debut the month after Norman won his second British Open. Norman has a total of 87 international victories.

He and Laura married in 1981 and they have a son and daughter (who is dating Sergio Garcia). While still being a golf champion, Norman, now 53, became successful in the business world. Among his ventures are golf course designer, yacht builder, clothing designer and manufacturer, and winemaker. His wife was with him all the way.

The Norman's Jupiter Island estate - still on the market.

Until May 2006, that is. That was when Norman announced that he and his wife were to be divorced. It was first reported that there was no third party involved. Norman was to need a mulligan on that story.

Chris Evert had been married to the British tennis player John Lloyd for eight years, and while she was married to the American ski racer Andy Mill (for 18 years) she and her husband were friends of Greg and Laura Norman. They socialized in Florida and took vacations together. The Normans' two children and the Mills' three sons grew up together as friends. But then Chris and Andy divorced in 2006, and Greg told Laura that their marriage was over (reportedly, by telephone).

One of the casualties of the divorce was the eight-acre Jupiter Island estate nicknamed "Tranquility," on South Beach Road. Greg and Laura Norman bought it in 1991 for $4.5 million. The oceanfront property includes a four-bedroom home, two-bedroom guest house, a 17-car garage, a tennis court, a pool, and a dock. Last year, Norman put it out for sale for $65 million. However, the combination of a slumping real estate market and the golfer's need for cash has meant a drop in price to increase interest in the property.

Chris Evret and Greg Norman at the Australian Sports Hall of Fame dinner in October.

If sold at the $47.5 million price, it would eclipse the previous record for Jupiter Island property - the $44.5 million Tiger Woods paid in 2006 for several lots that he joined together. Woods is in the process of building a 10,000-square foot home.

Don't worry too much about Greg Norman. He is still listed as the 11th-richest Australian. And no doubt Chris Evert put away a few dollars during her Hall of Fame tennis career.

Switching gears: Maybe Laura Andrassy can take some of what is left over from that $103 million and help out the LPGA Tour.

A big question that is being asked in golf circles is what impact the economic crisis will have on prize money in professional golf. Last week, the PGA Tour announced that it was actually increasing the 2009 prize money by several million dollars. The implication was that golf, like baseball, is apparently recession-proof. Then came the LPGA announcement that the ladies' tour is dropping two or possibly three events and as much as $5 million in prize money in 2009.

This could be only the beginning, and the next impact could be more subtle. The advertising in golf media and on televised golf tournaments depends heavily on high-end goods like expensive cars and resorts and for Wall Street companies. If the wealthy demographic of readers and viewers also cuts back, the golf industry will take a hit.

Will this have an impact on the Hamptons? Not necessarily. Golf clubs here like Maidstone, Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Atlantic, East Hampton, etc., have long-standing memberships who are paid up well in advance. The Hamptons will remain a popular golf playground. And the U.S. Open returning to Bethpage in 2009 is going to be a big boost to golf throughout the entire region.