The Legacy

Except for the phrases he borrows from his father, there's nothing about Nathaniel that readily brings to mind Bing. He doesn't have his father's cool, mellow speaking voice or his lively eyes or prominent ears or slim physique. The heels of Nathaniel's loafers sort of drag across the floor—he's not light on his feet, as his father was. He has never run from being the son of Bing Crosby, and he's happy to talk about him, but he has never turned it into a full-time gig, either. For the past half-dozen years or so, as he divorced and remarried, Nathaniel played golf sparingly and worked mostly as a consultant. "Sheila and I were both on the receiving end of our divorces, and we were among the walking wounded," he says, meaning that neither initiated their breakups. He's admirably open. "But we've figured out a way to make this whole Brady Bunch thing work." Now that his home life is whole again, Nathaniel is looking to return to competitive golf and, more significant, get back into the business of golf. "This time I'm swinging for the fences," he says, speaking of the business he is planning to launch. He doesn't expect to win another U.S. Amateur, but he'd like to have a shot at a U.S. Senior Amateur when he turns 55.

The garage at his North Palm Beach house is filled with golf clubs, surfboards, fishing equipment, tennis rackets and all the other accoutrements of the affluent Florida life. Except at Christmastime you won't hear much of Bing's music in the house. Bing's legacy shows up in other ways (some of Nathaniel's kids are playing golf too), and almost every day Nathaniel is moved to recall his father in some specific way. Maybe you remember Bing's old Minute Maid spots. When Nathaniel drops his voice and recites his father's famous tagline—"there's no doubt about it"—you'd swear Bing Crosby were still alive.

Exclusive U.S. Open news, views and photos every day at GOLF.com.