A Private Tour

“When you hit the pebbles pulling up to the Seminole clubhouse, you know you are somewhere special.”

Bob Ford should know. The legendary former head professional at Seminole Golf Club was there from 2000 to 2021, and he remains in awe. Since opening in 1929, this Donald Ross master class has been a playground for royalty of all kinds. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, the Duke of Windsor, Ben Hogan and Tom Brady have all had lockers at this South Florida paradise.

Like all of golf’s greatest clubs, there is a certain undefinable magic that wafts through the palms here like the Atlantic Ocean breezes. When former President Barack Obama played it for the first time in 2019, his playing partner, future NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, aced the par-3 13th.

Also like its elite cousins, Seminole is famously shy of the spotlight, rarely allowing media attention. That’s what made its hosting of the 2021 Walker Cup such a spectacle. It’s also part of the allure of its fabled Pro-Member event, which has become the greatest golf event no galleries will ever see. Packed with Tour stars and titans of industry, the Pro-Member has an annual roster that would make most PGA Tour events blush. Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy all have their names on the mahogany champion’s board in the locker room.

“One year [2014], all four major winners from the previous year played and brought their trophies,” Seth Waugh, PGA of America CEO and Seminole member, told Golf Digest in 2020. “It’s become a big deal.”

Hogan in particular adored the course’s sandy dunes and tight lies. His annual warmup for the Masters was simple: Play Seminole.

“No. 6 (below) was famously Hogan’s favorite hole,” Ford says. “He would practice here, as he believed the distance control of this approach shot was critical. He used it to prepare for the shots he’d need at Augusta.”

You may be one of the overwhelming majority who never get a coveted tee time at Seminole, so let this walk through the property with Ford and current head pro Matt Cahill be the next best thing.

“The crooked palm is the coolest tree on the property. It has been here for a long time and may it remain for many more years to come. It is one of the many great symbols that tell you you’re at Seminole.”

Bob Ford

“There’s just something magical about looking across the property at Seminole.”

Matt Cahill

“The Main Dining Room has remained almost unchanged since 1929, including the beautiful cypress ceiling.”

Matt Cahill

“The majestic Seminole statue was presented in honor of former club president Hunt Dickinson [1948 to 1967]. It remains a unique symbol of our club. Our club trophy is a replica and it’s coveted by every winner of our major events.”

Matt Cahill

“Hole locations are prepared each day for our caddies so they have the best information possible for their players. Caddie culture at Seminole is central to what we do.”

Matt Cahill

“No. 14 is always our highest score-to-par hole in our events. With the green protected the way it is, it can be diabolical.”

Bob Ford

“The club has maintained many traditions while staying as modern as possible. Fast play is expected from each group that tees it up—three and a half hours or less!”

Matt Cahill

“At our caddie stand you’ll find our caddie manager, Rick Carlson, and his troops. Rick is one of the best in the business. The youth caddie program has been a huge success, with about 12 kids in the program each year. We just had our third Evans Scholar and hope to have many more in the future.”

Matt Cahill

“Seminole has a simple elegance. Combine that with a truly exceptional golf culture and you get a course and club that demand respect. And they reward that respect in turn.”

Bob Ford