The President’s Ball
“A funny thing happened on the way to Tiburón Golf Course. Well, not exactly on the way but on the 18th on Tiburón Gold.”
I have tenuous links with four US presidents. I interviewed Donald Trump shortly before he became president first time around when he was opening Trump International in Aberdeen.
“Then there was the ‘Clinton Incident’ at Del Mar Country Club in San Diego, California. ”
I was coming up the 18th and noticed ‘Men in Black’ in the shrubbery talking up their sleeves. I was playing with Shawn Cox, the Director of Golf at Del Mar and, as I sunk a winning birdie putt, I almost yelled out in delight. Bill Clinton was at the top of his backswing on the 1st tee. I could have been tasered - or worse!
The next one I might want to keep a bit quiet. My grandmother told me we were related to Barbara Bush. Something about a plantation in Brazil. I’ve never felt the need to explore that! George W might get in touch!
BARACK’S BALL
The best one though, might have been the day we found Barack Obama’s ball. I was playing with Larry, a snowbird from Connecticut who wintered yearly in Florida. We’d teamed up for a round on Tiburón Gold. Larry was a pretty good golfer and we were having fun and enjoying the round.
On the 18th, Larry hit the slightly sloping green a bit strong and his ball bounced through towards the water. He didn’t find that but came back with another. On its cover, it bore the official seal of the President of the United States. At that time, Barack Obama was commander-in-chief and played a lot of golf (as they all seem to). The guys in the clubhouse confirmed that Obama had been here only a few days before. Larry asked if he could keep the President’s Ball…
“Look what I just found!” Larry proudly sports the lost President’s Ball.
THE SHARK
Florida is a natural paradise for presidents to play. When I phoned ‘The Donald’, he was playing his own course at West Palm Beach. You can read my article on his Aberdeen course here….He also frequents The Blue Monster at Trump Doral just west of Miami.
Greg Norman designed both courses here in Naples at Tiburón, and they’re not an easy pair to get on with. I preferred The Gold although they say it’s tougher. The Black is much tighter off the tees with trees squeezing many fairways. Tiburón is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.
The two golf courses are part of the Ritz-Carlton enterprise which means exemplary service and course conditions. They even have their own brand of craft beer!
The Ritz-Carlton Naples Hotel itself is located a few blocks away from the golf courses and is well worth checking in and checking out… plus guests get preferred access and rates on the golf courses.
The Ritz Carlton’s Ria Restaurant looks over the Gulf of Mexico, the best casual dining option in the resort.
