Michael Lewis on Stan O’Neal

Michael Lewis looks at Stan O’Neal’s “scorecards:”

Aug. 12: Purchase Country Club.
ALL ALONE ON THE COURSE. NO ONE TO TALK TO SO TALKED TO MYSELF. HAD A THOUGHT: NO ONE KNOWS WHERE I AM! REALLY! TURNED OFF CELL PHONE. FIVE HOURS LATER I WONDERED: WHERE DID THE TIME GO? A PERFECT DAY.
Aug. 18: Purchase Country Club.
BIRDIE ON 11 WAS A THING OF BEAUTY. IT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF I’D ALLOWED MYSELF TO BE DISTRACTED. DETAILS ARE THE ENEMY OF GOLFING EXCELLENCE. GAVE ME ANOTHER THOUGHT: GOLF IS LIKE RUNNING MERRILL LYNCH! THE TRICK IS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE. BE A BIG PICTURE PERSON. NOTE TO SELF: SMARTEST THING YOU EVER DID WAS TO TAKE FIRM AWAY FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY DRUDGERY AND MAKE JUST A FEW BIG BETS. FREES UP TIME.
Aug. 26: Vineyard Country Club.
FIVE BIRDIES AGAINST THREE BOGEYS. ALL THESE UPS AND DOWNS! MOODS SWINGS ARE TREMENDOUS AND EXHILARATING BUT CAN’T LET ANYONE AROUND ME KNOW WHAT I’M FEELING. NOT THAT THERE’S ANYONE AROUND ME — BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHO’S ON THE NEXT TEE. GOLF IS SO MUCH LIKE RUNNING MERRILL LYNCH! WHEN I PLAY I FEEL I MIGHT AS WELL BE AT MERRILL LYNCH. IN A WAY, I AM.

Posted by on November 8th, 2007 at 1:54 pm


The information in this blog post represents my own opinions and does not contain a recommendation for any particular security or investment. I or my affiliates may hold positions or other interests in securities mentioned in the Blog, please see my Disclaimer page for my full disclaimer.