Franklin Templeton Shootout: Shark sighting

There were Happy Hats, Happy Gilmore imitations and 200 happy and inquisitive kids.

But no one was happier than Ben Klassen.

Klassen, who turns 6 today, was ecstatic to meet one of his idols, Greg Norman, the host of the clinic and this week's Franklin Templeton Shootout.

And Norman was equally excited to meet Klassen.

Nearly three years ago, Klassen, a Bonita Springs resident, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, which is a solid cancerous tumor that is referred to as the silent tumor.

Ten years ago, someone diagnosed with this disease wasn't given much of a chance, according to Ben's mother, Sandie Klassen.

But thanks to contributions like the $10 million raised in the 15-year history of the Shootout, there is new hope.

Klassen is proof.

He has been in remission for two years and looks like your typical kindergartner.

Sandie Klassen said efforts like Norman's don't go unnoticed.

"It's absolutely incredible to see someone who has such heart and a feel and passion for something that is so cruel in this world and he's really trying to make a difference," Klassen said.

Ben was so excited to meet the Great White Shark that he told his mother the night before, "How am I going to sleep tonight? I have so many things I want to ask him."

But when Norman put his arm around him, Ben went blank.

That turned out to be all right because the grade-school children from Royal Palm Academy and St. Annes Academy made up the void.

The students, who created "Happy Hats," which they will bring as a gift to those children in the Oncology unit at Lee Memorial Children's Hospital in Ft. Myers and other NCCF institutions, were filled with pertinent questions.

Norman started the clinic by thanking the children for giving back to those children who aren't as fortunate.

"For me it's a passion. It's a love," Norman said of his charitable contributions to help beat childhood cancer. "I don't like going to a hospital to see kids who are able to sit on the grass and have an iced tea and just enjoy the sunshine."

Then Norman asked: What was the most important reason to play golf?

After answers such as practice, dedication, money and winning, 8-year-old Patrick McArdle gave his explanation.

"The most important reason to play golf is to have fun," said the Royal Palm Academy student.

With the correct answer, Norman and renowned golf teacher Rick Smith opened the driving range for questions. The result left Norman scratching his head at times.

With inquiries like, "How do you make the ball spin?" or "How did golf get the name golf?" the group sounded like a press conference of future sports writers.

The only thing kids didn't ask Norman about was his 1996 collapse at the Masters. Luckily for him, they were probably too young to remember.

"Maybe there's going to be some pretty good journalist coming out of that group," Norman quipped afterward. "That's the innocence of youth. You love to hear that and what's exactly coming out of their minds and their hearts and that's why you have to talk to them and let them ask questions. The more they ask the better person they will become in the long run."

The toughest question Norman had to handle was actually a request. The Hall of Famer was asked if he could hit a ball like Happy Gilmore, the hockey playing movie character played by Adam Sandler.

Norman said he never saw the movie but obliged and gave the slap-shot style a try.

The winner of 18 PGA Tour events laughed as he whiffed on the first attempt. He became a bit red in the face after missing again on the second attempt. Then, after his third attempt at running and hitting the ball, Norman was relieved to make contact. Even though the ball traveled only 40 yards on the ground, Norman received a raucous cheer.

"Twice in tournaments I had back-to-back whiffs so I thought I was going to break my record," Norman said. "I'm not a good actor; that's why I probably didn't get picked for Happy Gilmore."

The antics drew a rave review from Klassen, who was wearing a yellow hula-dancer print "Happy Hat."

But Klassen was more impressed with trick-shot artist Dennis Walters and his dog, Benji Hogan, who ended the clinic.

"I liked the dog putting the ball on the tee. That was the best," Klassen said.

For Norman, the best was seeing a healthy-looking Klassen and the smile on his face.

Fast Facts

-- When: Today through Sunday

-- Where: Tiburón Golf Club, Naples

-- Players: Greg Norman-Steve Elkington, Rocco Mediate-Lee Janzen, Kenny Perry-Scott Hoch, Rich Beem-Mark Calcavecchia, Craig Stadler-Peter Jacobsen, Mark O'Meara-John Cook, Shaun Micheel-Chad Campbell, Matt Kuchar-Fred Funk, Tom Kite-John Huston, Jeff Sluman-Hank Kuehne, Brad Faxon-Scott McCarron, Paul Azinger-Olin Browne

-- Tickets: Weekly, $60, good for all five days; daily tickets, $20 each day for pro-am rounds today and Thursday, $25 each day for tournament rounds, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call 1-888-66-SHARK or 254-9770

-- TV: USA, Friday, 1-3 p.m.; CBS, Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m.; CBS, Sunday, 4-6 p.m.

-- Schedule: Pro-ams, today and Thursday, 8:30-10:30 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10; First round (alternate shot), Friday, tee times 9:25-10:15 a.m.; Second round (better ball), tee times 9:20-10:10 a.m.; Final round (scramble), Sunday, tee times 9-9:50 a.m.