> Shortly after the Pope had apologized to the Nation of Israel for the
> treatment of Jews by the Catholic Church over the years, Ehud Barak, the
> leader of Israel, sent back a message to the College of cardinals. The
> proposal was for a friendly game of golf to be played between the two
> leaders or their representatives to show the friendship and ecumenical
> spirit shared by the Catholic and Jewish faiths. The Pope met with his
> College of Cardinals to discuss the proposal.
>
> "Your Holiness," said one of the Cardinals, "Mr. Barak wants to challenge
> you to a game of golf to show that you are old and unable to compete I am
> afraid that this would tarnish our image to the world."
>
> The Pope thought about this and as he had never held a golf club in his
life
> asked, "Don't we have a Cardinal to represent me?"
>
> "None that plays golf very well," a Cardinal replied. "But," he added,
> "there is a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer who is a devout
> Catholic. We can offer to make him a Cardinal, then ask him to play
Mr.Barak
> as your personal representative. In addition to showing our spirit of
> co-operation, we'll also win the match."
>
> Everyone agreed it was a great idea. The call was made. Of course,
> Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play as a representative of the Pope.
>
> The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the
Pope
> of the result. "I have some good news and some bad news, Your Holiness,"
> said the golfer.
>
> "Tell me the good news, Cardinal Nicklaus," said the Pope.
>
> "Well, Your Holiness, I don't like to brag, but even though I've played
some
> pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I have ever
> played, by far. I must have been inspired from above. My drives were long
> and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful, and my putting was
perfect.
> With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous."
>
> "How can there be bad news?" the Pope asked.
>
> Nicklaus sighed, "I lost to Rabbi Tiger Woods by three strokes."
>