President Barack Obama played Seminole Golf Club for the first time on Friday morning, and Larry Fitzgerald gave him a reason to remember the round for a long time to come. The legendary Arizona Cardinals wide receiver hosted Obama, and the two played alongside club president Jimmy Dunne and Obama Foundation board member Glenn Hutchins.
After Obama hit the green at the par-3 13th, Fitzgerald pulled 8-iron from 162 yards, hit the green and broke into celebration as the ball rolled directly into the hole for an ace.
Seminole is an exclusive club in Juno Beach, Fla. and is home to what may be the world’s most competitive member-guest: Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy were among those teeing it up in last year’s event.
Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte relayed Fitzgerald’s story on Twitter, transcribed here:
“Barack Obama played prestigious Seminole GC for the first time Friday morning, hosted by All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in a foursome that included club president Jimmy Dunne and Glenn Hutchins, part owner in the Celtics and board member of Obama Foundation,” Rosaforte wrote.
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“The elation coming from All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the 13th hole at Seminole GC at 1:30 this afternoon was unreal. But it was very real. So real that club president Jimmy Dunne waved the no cell phone rule on the course so Fitzgerald could deliver the message.
“I’m playing with the President of the United States and I just made a hole in one!” shouted the host to Barack Obama’s first go around The ‘Nole. “This is unbelievable!”
“Dunne, who advocated for Fitzgerald’s membership, provided the details. “Obama had just hit his approach shot 20 feet from the hole. Fitzgerald stepped up with an 8-iron and jarred it.”
“The stock shot is 165 yards from the blue tees to an elevated green that almost always plays into an Easterly breeze. It stands as one of the most beautiful holes on the property, with a green up against the sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean.
“It’s considered one of the hardest 18th handicap holes you could find in golf. Fitzgerald, playing to a 10.7-handicap, hit 8-iron from 162 yards. Eye witnesses described the ball rolling in like a putt. Among the high fives was the one coming from the 44th President of the U.S.”
Barack Obama played prestigious Seminole GC for the first time Friday morning, hosted by All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in a foursome that included club president Jimmy Dunne and Glenn Hutchins, part owner in the Celtics and board member of Obama Foundation.
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
The elation coming from All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the 13th hole at Seminole GC at 1:30 this afternoon was unreal. But it was very real. So real that club president Jimmy Dunne waved the no cell phone rule on the course so Fitzgerald could deliver the message.
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
"I'm playing with the President of the United States and I just made a hole in one!" shouted the host to Barack Obama's first go around The 'Nole. "This is unbelievable!"
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
Dunne, who advocated the Fitzgerald membership, provided the details. Obama had just hit his approach shot 20 feet from the hole. Fitzgerald stepped up with an 8-iron and jarred it."
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
The stock shot is 165 yards from the blue tees to an elevated green that almost always plays into an Easterly breeze. It stands as one of the most beautiful holes on the property, with a green up against the sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean.
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
It's considered one of the hardest 18th handicap holes you could find in golf. Fitzgerald, playing to a 10.7-handicap, hit 8-iron from 162 yards. Eye witnesses described the ball rolling in like a putt. Among the high fives was the one coming from the 44th President of the U.S.
— Tim Rosaforte (@RosaforteGolf) January 18, 2019
Fitzgerald is no stranger to famous company on the course. He has become a pro-am regular, winning last year’s AT&T Celebrity Pro-Am, and even teed it up alongside Tiger Woods during a casual round last year.
Best Golfer of all-time?14 Majors-18 WGC wins-79 PGA-career wins-only$💰Billion dollar athlete. pic.twitter.com/im8R2bOgiS
— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) March 2, 2018
There was also the moment Fitzgerald paused a post-game interview to check in on Woods at East Lake as he rolled in an eagle putt.
Even @LarryFitzgerald watches golf at work. This was his reaction when @TigerWoods eagles the 18th hole to grab a share of the lead at the #TOURChampionship. @GolfChannel @GolfCentral #12Sports pic.twitter.com/2fbl0oLHLM
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) September 20, 2018
There’s no doubt about it: Fitzgerald has the full-on golf bug, as a player and as a fan. And now he has an ace he’ll never forget.
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