Suspended CSFB Banker Hits Backyard Links

Frank Quattrone, the Credit Suisse First Boston star technology investment banker suspended on Monday pending a probe of alleged destruction of evidence, apparently isn’t allowing his legal woes to get in the way of his golf game.

Quattrone teed off Thursday morning in the PGA’s four-day Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament, which pairs celebrities from entertainment and busi- ess with top pro golfers vying for $5 million in prize money.

He’ll compete with movie stars Bill Murray and Kevin Costner, musician Neil Young and Morgan Stanley Chief Executive Philip Purcell. Among the pros is No. 3-ranked Phil Mickelson, playing with Charles Schwab, founder of the brokerage that bears his name.

Pebble Beach is in Quattrone’s backyard. His house next to the 14th fairway is separated by a 396-yard par 4 from Sun Microsystems Inc. Chief Executive Scott McNealy’s place on the 16th.

Quattrone will be matched in the tournament with pro Pat Bates, who ranked 123rd on the 2002 money list. Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bates writes Bible verses on his golf balls to differentiate them from those of other players.

Credit Suisse suspended Quattrone on Monday while it investigates whether he knew in December 2000 that there was a Securities and Exchange Commission probe of the firm’s practices in distributing hot initial public offerings. In that month Quattrone told staff to dispose of some files.

The information “raises questions that need to be fully investigated,” John Mack, the co-chief executive of Credit Suisse Group, said in an e-mail to employees on Monday.

The U.S. attorney in New York is investigating Quattrone for alleged obstruction of justice, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Quattrone did not return calls; Credit Suisse declined to comment.

Golf Handicap and Information Network puts Quattrone’s handicap at 12.7. McNealy has a 2 handicap. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.