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 links with three past (and maybe future) US presidents. I interviewed Donald Trump shortly before he became president when he was opening Trump International in Aberdeen.
Then there was the ‘Clinton Incident’ at Del Mar Country Club in San Diego when I was coming up the 18th and noticed Men in Black in the clubhouse shrubbery talking up their sleeves. I was playing with Shawn Cox, the Director of Golf and as I sunk a winning birdie putt, I almost yelled out with delight. Bill Clinton was at the top of his backswing on the 1st tee. I could have been tased!
My grandmother told me we were related to Barbara Bush. Something about a plantation in Brazil. Maybe best not to go into that one!
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 yearly wintered in Florida. We’d teamed up for a round on Tiburón Gold. Larry was pretty good so we were enjoying ourselves.
On the 18th, he hit the slightly sloping green strong and his ball bounced through towards the water. Larry didn’t find that ball but he did come 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 do). The guys in the clubhouse confirmed he had been here only a few days before.
“Look what I just found!” Larry proudly sports the lost President’s Ball.
THE SHARK
Greg Norman designed both courses at Tiburón and they’re not an easy pair to get on with. I preferred The Gold although they say it’s the 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.
RITZ CARLTON NAPLES
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. They do it so well here.
The Ritz Carlton’s Ria Restaurant looks over the Gulf of Mexico, the best casual dining option in the resort.
