Official Caddying Story: Bob Ford PGA
Bob Ford was the Head Golf Professional at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania for 37 years and Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach for 21 years. He started working at Oakmont at the age of 20 and by 25 assumed the role of head pro. Ford, a TaylorMade staff pro who recently retired from the company's Presidential Advisory Board, won numerous awards throughout his illustrious career including the USGA Bob Jones award in 2017 and in 2005 he was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Allegheny Kiski-Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Ford’s professional career has included three stints at the US Open, 10 at the PGA Championships and five as a PGA Cup Team member. Additionally, he is a three-time Pennsylvania Open champion and two-time Pennsylvania PGA champion. Ford has been active on several boards, including TaylorMade/Adidas/Maxfli, Polo Ralph Lauren, Arccos, Golf Business Network, Fownes Foundation and First Tee of Pittsburgh. A co-author of the book Golf; The Body, The Mind, The Game, Ford has also been recognized as a two-time PGA Merchandiser of the Year and the National Professional Club Professional and Player of the Year. Declared by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as “the finest club pro in America,” Ford and his wife Nancy have three children, Kelly, Jay and Chandler.
The following transcript is AI-generated and has undergone only minor edits. Please refer to the video recording for direct quotes.
Kai Sato (00:00)
Welcome to caddyshack to corner office. I'm your host, Kai Sato on this show. We recognize the most accomplished people who once caddied and grow the game by assisting those following their path. Today, I'm joined by Bob Ford, who in the words of the USGA is one of the game's great ambassadors. And if you've ever had a gin handicap or an index in golf, you know who Bob Ford is Bob. It's a pleasure to have you.
Bob Ford (00:24)
I'm nice to be on with you, you bet.
Kai Sato (00:25)
So if you wouldn't mind, and I know that there are a lot of awards that have come your way and many distinctions, but could you just give for listeners who maybe haven't played a lot of golf, a little background on you and where you've been a head professional and some of the myriad things that you've been involved with.
Bob Ford (00:42)
I came from Philadelphia and my folks moved to Pittsburgh when I was 17. I went to the University of Tampa and in the summers, sadly for me, actually a great thing for me, but I went to Pittsburgh during my summers and I didn't know anybody in the summer. So I worked for my dad and some of their businesses and then I was a 334 clock golfer.
And one really good amateur player wasn't a good college player. My senior year, I start to become decent. And I was lucky to be in Pittsburgh. That's the lucky part of being in Pittsburgh, that the Open was going to be there in 73, a Johnny Miller one. And Lou Worsham was the professional there. And I didn't know him from Adam. He didn't know me, but he hired me to come and work there at the Open for him. So that started my relationship with him.
It just took out, took on after that. I worked at Oakmont for 42 years. I was lucky enough to work at Seminole 21 years, 17 of those kind of back and forth with both clubs. And then retired from Oakmont in 16 after Dustin Johnson won the open. And I retired from Seminole after the Walker Cup in 21.
Kai Sato (01:52)
It's an incredible run and some of the people that I've been lucky to be around like Jack Drew, who you put me in touch with and also my beloved David Potez, who was a longtime pro at Bel Air Country Club. Everyone talked about Bob Ford and so I'm really, really excited to dive in on some of this, learn a little bit more, not just about your caddying days, but what you've seen in golf and you've certainly left your mark on the game. So thanks so much for taking some time.
Bob Ford (02:17)
You bet, kind of dinosaurs now, the three of us. Yeah.
Kai Sato (02:20)
Well, wouldn't want to run into you guys in a cash game, though. Those I know you guys can all still play. So on the cadding from Bob, where'd you first caddy? How old were you? You got started.
Bob Ford (02:30)
You know, my mom and brother, my brother was older than I, and he was a caddy. He caddied at Overbrook in Philadelphia. And my folks joined Aronomic, who has the PGA next year, next summer. They joined Aronomic when I was maybe 14, 14, 15 right in there. And although I caddied for my mom and my brother when they played, you know, I really started caddying when I got to Aronomic. And, you know, I was a slug.
you know, beginner and I had to sit on the bench and wait my turn and, you know, not get out for a week and show that I was going to come back and I was here to stay and ended up, you know, when I, cat-eated at Ronald, really after a couple of years, that was when I really realized that I wanted to be around these kinds of people the rest of my life. I wasn't a good player at that time. It wasn't about being a professional or any of those kinds of things, but just knew that I wanted to be around golfers. They were.
incredible people. They handled themselves beautifully and the respect, I think is probably a big word that I try to use a lot, the respect that they had for the game and for each other just meant a lot to me. It something that I wanted to pursue. So, know, golf became my passion. I played football all through my senior year, although I was a bench rider. And I played golf through my senior year. And then I went to college and played at Tampa. Tampa wasn't a great golf school. So it was
Actually, it was probably the only school that took me too. But, you know, I knew I could make the team there and play all four years, which is what I felt like the experience is what I needed. And, you know, I wasn't good enough to go to Duke or Wake Forest or Houston or Florida or any kind of stuff, anyhow. So it was the right choice for me. I loved it. I loved my time in Tampa. I love everybody in Tampa. It's a great town. I get to go back every year and,
That was a big deal for me, that's when I started my relationship with Lew Worsham. In 71, it was my senior year in high school and the Open was right after graduation. It was at Marion with Nicholas Introvino and Jim Simons, the amateur player who became a great friend. And my mom was always a volunteer in Philadelphia for the Ivy B Classic and she was gonna go to the Open. So I said, you know what, mom, I'll go with you. So we volunteered there and
That's why I wanted to volunteer again in 73. I didn't really, obviously the connection with Lew Worsham, I just thought that that would be it. But when I got out of school, when I graduated in 75, I had played in the Tampa Amateur and I shot 65-65 and got beat in a playoff with Gary Koch. So Gary was kind of a made guy, if you wanna use that term, but he was a known guy. I wasn't.
And so when I went to see Lou Warsham, he worked in Fort Lauderdale at Cole Ridge in the winter time. And I went to see him my senior year, told him what I'd done with, you know, in the Tampa Amateur and thought all of sudden I could play the tour because I had one nice event, right? Like all the kids. I said, I just don't know what to do with my career. I need some advice. My folks aren't, you know, that golf savvy with a high golf IQ.
everybody played, but he said, well son, why don't you come to Oakmont this summer and I'll find out whether you're any good or not. I was like, that took me off guard. I was not looking for that at all. It was incredible. And I said, well, geez, what would I do? He said, well, you'd be my assistant. Wow. Never, you know, that really didn't cross my mind, but as I drove home that, you know, that after graduation.
I said, you know, if I don't make a plan, I'm going to meet somebody at Oakmont, surely, that's going to hire me and use my golf skills and to be in business with somebody. So that's why I went there and I wanted to play. If I didn't, I was going to sell steel or insurance or whatever. And, you know, long, but old, you know, after five years he retired and I was in the right place at the right time and the club.
took a big swing at me at 25 years old and let me try to become a professional there, which I did. I stayed on the horse for 37 years, so that was a lot of fun.
Kai Sato (06:32)
I think it probably worked out decently for everyone there,
Bob Ford (06:34)
Yeah, we're both fortunate.
Kai Sato (06:36)
going to unpack a lot of what you just touched on there and hear about your recruitment and what it was like to onboard there at Oakmont. do you remember what it was like breaking through that caddy yard and maybe even your first loop and what that experience was like? Was it one bag? Was it two bags? What was that, that caddying side like?
Bob Ford (06:54)
Yeah, I started with one bag and you know, there were some old timers there and I got close to a couple of the old timers. So they kind of took me under their wing and soon I was carrying two bags, probably in a month I was carrying two bags and I remember the members that I catted for and some of them are still there, believe it not. Yeah, like in their nineties, but they're still alive and I know their sons. I know a lot of the sons of the members I catted for and they're, you know, they're
pretty much my age now. so we have a lot of fun with that, but I such incredible memories of Oranamic and such a great club and great, golf course. I'm so excited for the PGA to be there. just, you know, I played in 10 PGA. So back in 93, Oranamic was slated to host the PGA. And sadly, you know, the Hall-Thompson-Show Creek thing came with, you know, with diversity.
and they couldn't get it done. So they had to dump the PGA and it went to Inverness and I happened to qualify that year. So I would have played it at Ron Maccadde, which would have been just been a stitch for me. And there was only that one time. well, I they've had, I don't remember the last time Ron Maccadde, but they're having it this year and I'm too old.
Kai Sato (08:10)
How cool is that though? You know their sons now and they're still members there. What a community. Can you mention one of their names? Because we're going to try to send this to them. Make sure that they know that you're thinking of
Bob Ford (08:19)
Well, Mike Silverian is a buddy of mine. He's down here in Florida in the wintertime. So I see him a fair amount. And his dad, Eddie Silverian, was one of my favorite caddy guys. Mikey Rosmus was another young guy. He's down at... Oh, geez, I just saw him at Indian Creek, but they're both still at Aronomic. And Tommy Rosmus.
Yeah. And Tommy is at, I know where he is. He's at Delray Dunes in Delray Beach, Florida. I just saw him the other day because we were at a lunch with Jay Siegel. I used to caddy for Jay and Jay is sadly has pancreatic cancer at 81 and doesn't not looking good. So, but we were down there having lunch with him and ran into Roz down there.
Kai Sato (09:03)
I'm you sharing that and it is just. Here in that story it dovetails with some others where we have a buddy named Tom Adelson who grew up caddying in North Dakota and he ended up caddying for somebody who of course their grandson is now one of here's his dear friends in Phoenix and is in the Thunderbirds with them and so just.
and you just never know where a lot of these relationships are going to continue to unfold.
Bob Ford (09:27)
And now it's incredible, know, and Jack Drew that we mentioned before, you know, he runs the East Coast for the Evans Scholarship for caddies and he's so passionate about it and such an incredible job. And it's really, really fun to be somewhat involved with Jack as, you know, being retired now and trying to do some things for Evans and for caddies. I mean, once you're a caddy, you're a caddy for life. And I caddy tomorrow again, you know, in fact, the club pros up then.
Port St. Lucie in a couple of weeks and I wish I had a bag because I can't play but I'd love to be there and just know caddy for somebody but I'm too old I guess.
Kai Sato (10:02)
Yeah. Well, I had such a good time getting to know Jack, thanks to your introduction. As soon as we got launched with Caddyshack to corner office, just so everybody knows, Bob was nice enough to write in two people. was Jack and Jimmy Dunn. And we immediately got a chance to sit down with Jack and hear about his experience. We'll be sharing more of that content as Oakmont approaches just like this. But I recently was at Floridian and I didn't know that he wound up around those parts and they absolutely love him.
And so I'm not surprised to hear that. And I think everybody knows that no one's done more in the game of golf as it pertains to caddying than the Evan scholars. We met foundation and so many other great organizations that are helping people get into the game of golf, especially through something like caddying. Bob, if you wouldn't mind, can you tell us about some of the things you loved about your caddying days? Maybe some things you didn't enjoy so much. Do you make any mistakes out there when you were looping?
Bob Ford (10:53)
You know the first thing comes to mind are the golf bags. I mean they were Burton bags, heavy and you know it's funny I carry I now carry a McKenzie bag. I love it. I guess I got it during Covid you know because we're all carrying our own clubs. And my caddies at Seminole I don't know about Oakmont as much but my caddies hate that bag. And it's so light but it doesn't have a stand that I'm like you babies. You know if you only knew.
what we carry, know, when we were your age, but you can't go there. they, honest to God, they give me a bunch of BS for it. And I actually love that bag. Actually, it's been a gift from my kids for Christmas. They got me an Oakland bag and a Simmelt bag. So I use them both, you know, one at each place.
Kai Sato (11:32)
Well, you got to look good too. So that's important.
Bob Ford (11:34)
Exactly. Yeah it's got a little style you know. You know better than you know the normal stand bag. But I I loved caddying. I you know you know you wouldn't enjoy around with somebody that was a pain in the butt and that thought he was better than he was and he complained all the time and threw his clubs. I didn't really have many of those guys. Most of the guys I caddied for were really really neat guys. And I carried her and Sabo on the PGA tour in the Citrus.
open at Rio Pinar in Orlando before it went to Bay Hill. And then he went down to Doral on a cadet form at Doral. And then he was a friend and it was a thrill because Eddie was in the last group Saturday and Sunday at Rio Pinar. And he made the cut and played beautifully at Doral too. I he was not a household name but he won the Buick Open one year. So he was a pretty darn good player but a nice guy. But that experience you know really
catapulted me a little bit. went back to the Goosey's tour in Orlando after the two weeks I won my first event out. So, you know, I hadn't played golf in two weeks. that's a deal because none of us ever took time off like these guys do now. We all just play it every week. But, you know, watching him play and watching, you know, all the great players that he played with in the last couple of groups was really, really a thrill and really a great learning experience.
Kai Sato (12:55)
me. Tell us how you got so good. When did golf click? You said you were looping and you were new to it. But when did this game become an obsession? And when did you really start to see that you had a shot at it?
Bob Ford (13:07)
Well, you I think the Tampa Amateur in February of 75, my senior year, I went to work for Lew Worsham. I won the first Tri-State PGA section event I played in. Then I won the Tri-State Open, you know, another couple of weeks later, which was one of their top five events. And then I got beat in a playoff for the, I won very good in playoffs. I got beat in the state open.
at the Pittsburgh Field Club. I mean, that summer I just had an extraordinary summer. And, you know, I had a sponsor. The Piatt family sponsored me. Rod Piatt was my college roommate. And his father, Jack, sponsored me, you know, all through the 75 through 80. I started at Oakmont in 80, and then I was, you know, done with playing as a career. But yeah, you know, I went, you know, they sent me to Europe, they sent me to Asia, they sent me to...
you know, Australia, New Zealand, just had a ball trying to play around the world. And, you know, I was in Australia in 76 when Norman, you know, went on a tear down in Australia and then became a big, star here in America, obviously. And I was in Italy in the Italian Open in Milan and Sevilla was just coming up. He was like 17 or 18, but he was already the talk of the tournament. And I don't even remember whether he won or not, but.
I'm like, I got to see this guy. know, I got to, you know, see if we measure up, which obviously not too good. so, you know, so we had the open at Oakmont in 83 and I qualified to play. And on Monday night, I went out for nine holes, back nine. And I think I was actually going to start on 12 because it was right by the clubhouse. And sadly it was coming up 11.
And I decided to wait for him. My God, there's a chance I'm gonna get to play with Sevvy. And I knew his caddy, Nick from Philadelphia, because he was from Philly. And I said, Nick, you you think Sevvy want me to join him or does he wanna just keep playing by himself? I said, Bobby wants to play by himself. I was like crushed. So I think I got to stand there watching, bit T-shirt on 12, but I didn't get to play with him, which you know, really.
He already ended up finishing like third or fourth at Oakmont.
Kai Sato (15:16)
We're going to have a number of questions going into this us open that we're going to have to tap, tap some of that knowledge. But what was it like traveling around as a pro trying to go to Australia, going to Italy? Could you even set your schedule? Was the travel itself just absolutely debilitating and grueling?
Bob Ford (15:33)
No, you're 21, 22, 23 years old. The travel was nothing. I was lucky enough to have some great pals that I traveled with and we have friendships today, you know, that we did, you know, that we traveled together back then. And, you know, I mean, looking back on it, it was one of the greatest experiences I ever had. I got to see the world. I got to meet so many incredible people, you know, great players in Australia, great players in Europe and...
Yeah, it's, you know, and then in 83, when we played in the open, some of them were, you know, playing in the open and we got to rehash some old stories. It was obviously a lot different back then. It wasn't nearly as competitive. You know, we weren't all in the gym together and, you know, we had a little bit more fun than we should have.
Kai Sato (16:17)
I miss Mr. Marins very much, Eddie Marins for people who don't know the little pro. And I used to spend as much time as I possibly could with them whenever I'd see him in the Bella country club grill room or got to sit down with them for three hours and hear the entire history of friends of golf. And the tour back then was very different. The nightlife was very different. What those guys are doing. It's good thing there was no social media. had a lot more fun, I think, than some of the guys do now.
Bob Ford (16:38)
my God, my God, for sure.
Kai Sato (16:40)
As you look back on just some of your caddying days specifically, Bob, were there any big lessons or things that translated? Did you see the game through a different lens because you were able to have that different perspective than someone who's in the heat of the moment and hitting the shot?
Bob Ford (16:56)
Well, you know, watching just, you know, handicap players play, watching them, you know, respect the game and the rules, you know, some of them, you know, beat it up in the rough. Some of them didn't. Most of them didn't. They were only a couple of guys. But, know, you learn who you want to be like and who you don't want to be like. And that meant a lot to me. It really, really forged my, you know, my persona, if you will. And again, even at that time, I didn't know I was going to, you know.
do the profession that I did, but I knew as a person that, you know, I want to be honest, I want to be respectful and I'm played by the rules. So that meant a lot to me.
Kai Sato (17:31)
You've also not only been around a lot of caddies, but a lot of caddy yards and shaped cultures. What makes a great caddy?
Bob Ford (17:38)
What makes a great caddy? You know, being a professional, really. You know, not having a brown bag and a bottle in it and, you know, doing some of those where you had those guys, you know. And, you know, I think how you talk about people, how you talk about your loops and, you know, being respectful of guys that you look for and, yeah, I think, you know, you want to be around positive people and happy people. And, you know, they all weren't, but believe me, but...
I gravitated to the ones that were.
Kai Sato (18:07)
Sure, Were there any players in particular, you mentioned this persona, was there someone on the tour or some of the people you catty for anything that you really wanted to emulate that really stood out? Was there one individual or was it a group of people?
Bob Ford (18:22)
Well, you know, when I got to Oakmont, I mean, I wasn't caddying anymore, you know, Arnold was, you know, Lou Worsham, his brother, Buddy, killed in an automobile accident. He went to Wake Forest and he was Arnold's roommate. And he was killed in an automobile accident and Arnold quit Wake Forest after that. He couldn't take it. And he went in the Coast Guard. And so Arnold and Lou had a,
you know, a relationship. I wouldn't say they were incredibly close because he was, and his brother were best friends. But, you know, there was a respect there that they had for each other. You Lou had won the US Open, Arnold won the US Open, and obviously Arnold was the king. But they had great respect for Lou. And in 78, we had the PGA at Oakmont. And Arnold called down, talked to Lou and said, you know, I'm going to come down. Do you have any assistance? I want to play with him.
And, you know, we were like, Brett Upper was the other assistant and Rick his son, but Rick, you know, stood down and let us play. So Brett played the front nine. I played the back nine with Arnold and, you know, and that was a relationship that was formed that day. you know, that's until he passed away, which was, you know, you did, got to 88. I think most of us would take that, but it's never easy. you know, we lost a great one there.
Kai Sato (19:37)
Well said. Dick Conley, who's been deeply involved with the We Met Foundation, probably 60 % of what we talked about was his relationship with Honor Palmer. And you think about the indelible mark that certain people leave on the game and how they impact so many lives. And, you know, I think there's no question when you look at a quote about you from people like Jack Druaga or...
Mike Davis, you've taken that and passed that down. I think quite clearly that persona was received and then you made it your own and grew it in your own way.
Bob Ford (20:05)
I'll you, this young guy that won the Masters the other day, he's the next Arnold Palmer. I he handles himself just beautifully. And, you know, what you saw on TV is him. You know, he bared his soul in front of everybody. But his relationship with his caddy, Harry, since he was seven years old.
And know, people, you know, when he wasn't winning, you know, people would say, you know, is Harry the right guy to be on the bag? And I'm saying he's his best friend. Yeah. mean, if Rory thinks so, yeah, I think he is. And, but he is just the weight that has been on his shoulders. You know, could just see it all leave with all that emotion that he showed. It was phenomenal.
Kai Sato (20:42)
I've never had my wife, I think, watch that much golf with me in a single day. We've got two little boys, a three and a half year old and a six month old, they were as locked in as they could be. But my wife was, I was of course in tears, just emotionally moved by what we saw. And she was a wreck. And she now, she loves basketball, she loves football, has to watch a lot of sports because of me, but golf is now her favorite. And I've never seen her pull for a player like she was for Rory.
and the anxiety she she was she was a bit of a roller coaster. I was trying to calm her down, especially when they went into extras. What did what did you think of that? What did you think of that tournament?
Bob Ford (21:20)
I've never been so exhausted watching a golf tournament in my life. But, you know, his dad's a member at Seminole. So, you know, he's friends with all of us down there, you know. But to really to have two nations adore you the way our two nations adore him is just extraordinary. And, you know, the roller coaster ride that he put us on was just...
horrendous. mean, I'm so mad at him for that, you know, that shot on 13 and missing the foot on 18. I'm like, Roy, what are you doing to me? You know?
Kai Sato (21:50)
I I, he would have bet his life. didn't miss the green from 86 yards on 13, right? It's just one of these crazy things, but you mentioned Harry diamond and Rory's defended it and stuck by it. It's funny. Even Thursday night I was with some friends. We're all talking about the masters of course. And that comment came up. He needs a real cat. He has to have a real guy. And yet what did Rory talk about? They go into the playoff and he said, Hey, you would have taken this.
You would have taken a playoff at the beginning of the tournament and it helped him reset. And I think those are those nuances that you learn when you're on the other side of the bag and the other side of anything in life. When you're the caddy for your friends in life, that you can hopefully offer that perspective and bring out the best in them.
Bob Ford (22:31)
Exactly. Yeah.
Kai Sato (22:34)
What
was it like for you, Bob? You don't have to get in any more details because I know you're super involved with aspects of golf, maybe a little bit less than you once were, but just the last couple of years as golf has evolved. And for my opinion, Rory's been this torchbearer and obviously Scotty Scheffler's done some great play in Xander. But when you talk about someone who is out in front and talking about what's going on in golf, what has that been like for you to witness the evolution, the change?
disruption, things like that.
Bob Ford (23:01)
Well, it's like watching your bank account soar into, you know, and the great spot that it is. You know, the game has just soared since COVID. And I retired right around COVID. And so I've just kind of been on the sidelines watching it grow and watching all these clubs fill up and the young, you know, the generation that's, you know, 30s and 40s now are all joining clubs, are playing golf and they're, you know, they're just so respectful.
I mean, this guy, Justin Rose, I mean, he might be next to Rory, the most incredible guy, which is what a wonderful man he is and how he handled himself in that defeat. yeah, a lot of guys don't handle it that well. And it's not, you know, it doesn't make him a bad person. I mean, when you're in a sport like that and you're that involved, like Rory was Thursday night and you know, people bang him for not talking to the press, but.
You know, think Shane Lowry said it best, know, he said, I don't want to talk to you right now. I've just finished Bogey Bogey and I don't want to talk about somebody else. I'm going to say something I don't want to say. I'm leaving. He left. And, you know, in the heat of the moment, your personality changes, you know, back and forth. And Justin Rose, he was a superstar.
Kai Sato (24:11)
Absolute class act. I don't think anybody likes to lose and you certainly don't like to lose there and to lose two masters in a playoff and all that stuff. And no one can say they've experienced it until they have, but how gracious he was, was, was really incredible. And quite honestly, how ungracious some of the other people were in some of their remarks about the whole thing, but it was, it was, it was quite a spectacle. It was great for the game. And you know, especially
Bob Ford (24:12)
was.
Kai Sato (24:36)
for me, I didn't really come from a golfing family and had to borrow my grandma's, you know, turquoise leather, Wilson clubs to even play my first round, borrow a college shirt to see how much interest is in the game now and how many people want to play. And to your point, you know, I joined Bel Air when I was 29 years old and how many people now are, I'm not playing a lot of pickup basketball anymore, Bob, you know, I'm not coaching lacrosse like I once was. I play golf, right? And so I think people are so excited about
getting to transition to this phase in life and some of these things and seeing your little rugrats run around. My son's third word was golf. That's all he wants to do. those types of things are really, really special right now and great for the game.
Bob Ford (25:17)
I mean, it's just an incredible game. The people you meet, the places you go, the things you see, and it's just extraordinary.
Kai Sato (25:23)
did you approach it with your kids? How'd you approach the game? How'd you approach teaching? Did you have any of them caddy? How'd you get them assimilated?
Bob Ford (25:32)
Well, it's kind of a cute story. You know, we lived on the 18th green at Oakmont. And so they grew up there. think we moved, they moved to Florida when I got the seminal job, probably in, you know, they were 10, 12 and 14 when we moved. But so they grew up at Oakmont really. And, you know, my wife never hit a ball in her life, know, doesn't like shooting one. I said, today, we're kind of alone today. I told you we didn't, I didn't play. So.
I said, do you want to go hit some balls? They just kidding her. She said, are you out of your mind? I hate that. So, but she loved taking the kids to play and you know, they'd go out, you know, at seven o'clock at night, 15 was real close to the house and she'd go up down 15 and they play 15, 16, 17, 18 and finish at the house. And you know, that I'd be home when we go to dinner. And so they, you know, they.
They kind of, you know, we got them in the little clubs and they just went out and played. I didn't tell them anything really at that time. So now we go to the range and now we're going to hit some balls. And I, I just watched and the kids all had pretty natural golf swings. And, uh, you know, she said, uh, well, you say something. What do you mean? Say, well, what do you want me to say? You know, they're doing great. So she steps in Jay, you gotta keep your head down.
Kelly, you gotta keep your left arm straight, know, saying really stupid things, right? And I said, what are you doing? You know, stand down, get back in the cart. It was hilarious. It's a, you know, we laugh about it a lot now, but she took her, she thought, you know, you know, when kids are natural, you just let them go. And the boys now are, you know, two handicaps, one plays at Wingfoot, one plays at San Fran. And my daughter lives in Oakmont.
you know, with and she's about to have a baby maybe tomorrow. Yeah, we're excited. It's her second one. Her first baby is like two and a month little girl and this one's going to be a boy. So those little girls were there as you know, pretty special. But yeah, so Kelly, Kelly played on the high school team and she's got a great swing and didn't give them the need much instruction, you know.
Kai Sato (27:19)
Congratulations.
Really? you said if they've got a natural move, you just let them go. You see, you know, in this age of social media, 24 hour news cycles, people want to have the next prodigy. Are they over coaching? If they, you just want to make sure the kids maintain the love of the game.
Bob Ford (27:53)
Yeah, I think, you know, I mean, as I taught young kids growing up at Oakmont, you know, I didn't really ever teach anybody until they were 12 or 13. And there wasn't really a demand for it. I mean, now that five years old, you got a lesson. God bless you. Are kidding me? What are you talking about? And so, you know, I mean, even my Chandler, my baby, he's 30 now, but I mean, he had a horrible grip growing up, you know, and I tried to get him to change it.
You know, I never wanted to do anything or say anything to them that would, you know, have them not like me or not like playing the game. So was, you know, keep it, you know, why do I hit it? Why do I hit it left? Well, kind of your grip challenge. Oh, I can't change that. Okay, well then keep it in the left, you know. It's your game. But teaching the kids at the club was fun. We had some state champions and, you know.
big scholarship kids, you Oakmont, you know, if you can play Oakmont, you pretty much play anywhere. And it wasn't a lot of instruction for me, but a lot of learning about, you know, how to deal with people, to deal with playing in tournaments and, you know, the more of the psychology of what they were doing and how to deal with people, to handle people, how to respect people, things like that more so than, you know, a little bit of instruction. But, you know, when you're a kid and you get a little bit of instruction and you've got a good swing.
Go with it.
Kai Sato (29:13)
I will be taking that. Absolutely. My wife doesn't play a lick either. It would be absolutely hilarious if she attempted to give either of our sons golf lessons. So I will be, I'll be sharing that one with her at dinner tonight. Okay. We got to hear a little bit about Oakmont. You've been around it for quite some time. Seen the majors. We've got one coming up. What are you most looking forward to? What do you, what do you expect? What should we be looking for?
Bob Ford (29:38)
Well, Kyle, know, Gil Hans did a little redo two years ago. So we're pretty excited to see the effects of that. you know, people say, it harder, is it easier? You know, it's neither, none of the above. You Oakmont's Oakmont. And it's hard without anybody touching it. So we're anxious to see what they shoot this time, because the players are better. You know, there's more of them. They hit it so far. And, you know, we're not a long golf course.
And the USGA has agreed we're going to grow it rough to five inches right off the first cut. And which was unlike the last open. Now the last open you know Dustin shot five under I think and it was wet. So we had a huge storm Thursday night. So that was that was tough. But you know people say what are they going to shoot. I'm like well if it's wet out there.
They're going to shoot five under. If it's dry, they're going to shoot five over, which is what Cabrera shot in 07. And, you know, I'm the official starter on the first tee, Kai, so that's my job for the week. And I'll tell you, it's just a blast. Really, really a lot of fun. I look forward to it. You know, greeting the play, greeting the Masters champion, greeting the PGA champion of that year. So, know, will be pretty special with Roy. And,
You know, this is my sixth open with Oakmont. This is the 10th open for Oakmont and this is my sixth. So just looking forward to hosting everybody, having everybody there. And Devin Gee, who took my place, you know, hopefully he's going to qualify and enjoy the same experience I had back in 83.
Kai Sato (31:09)
That is truly awesome. I know that you're the starter there. I believe according to the USGA, they said it's yours as long as you want to have it. So not surprised to hear that. What are some of these other positions, roles, authorities that you get to be a part of, get to do that you really look forward to in the game? Because some people, especially some listeners, may not know that those gigs even exist,
Bob Ford (31:32)
You know, it's previously
our, the merchandiser at Oakmont, Annie Van Zandt is the president of the Pennsylvania golf association. She's kind of unusual, right? And, she's the first woman in 140 years, whatever, you know. And, so I went on the executive committee of the Pennsylvania golf association with her and on the chairman of the championship committee. So we're, you know, involved in that together. She worked for me for.
25 years or so and just a phenomenal lady. Anybody that's ever been Dogmon knows Annie. They didn't know me, but they know Annie. Cute story, Kai. know, Austin Johnson came to play a practice round in May of 16. He nor his brother Dustin had ever been Dogmon. So he comes in after playing and he wants to buy a head cover. We have put all the best champions names on the head covers. They're kind of cool. So he's going to take a keepsake home.
And she said, well, why don't you wait till your brother wins and I'll have his name stitched on there and give me your address. I'll mail it to you. He said, lady, you don't understand. My brother's never played here. This was my first time. It's the hardest golf course I've ever played in my life. My brother has no chance to win here. None. little did he know he going to win. Now, I do a radio show with Taylor's ours are on XM.
know, PGA Tour Radio. And in August, we went down to Florida and interviewed Dustin and told him that story, which he had never heard. He said, my brother said that. So, pretty cute story. But so she runs that. Actually, her term is kind of up at the end of this year, but I enjoy that. I tee off all the juniors at Pennsylvania Junior. You know, I tee off the state open guys, because I'm not good enough playing state open anymore. And...
So and the state amateur, state amateur is going to be at Oakmont next summer, which is really neat for all those guys to get to play Oakmont. I do that. I'm on the PGA's ambassador for PGA Reach, which is PGA Hope, PGA Works, and PGA Junior League. And I've done that for about eight or nine years. And so we have, know, F a dozen meetings a year. And I'm on the golf committee at the Lynx Club, which you've probably never heard of.
The Lynx Club is a dining club in New York City.
Kai Sato (33:41)
In
New York. I do know it. I know some members there.
Bob Ford (33:43)
that CB McDonald started and I don't know how I was lucky enough to join, but they put Brad Faxon and I on the golf committee and we actually have golf events, even though we don't have a golf course. But we've got a golf event. We played Congaree last year. This year we're going to play Indian Creek and then we're going to play Fall Line in the fall. You've never heard of Fall Line, but it's a Jeff Ogilvie's OCM group that
first course they've ever built in the States. And I'm telling you, those guys are good. This fall line is extraordinary. It's in just outside of Columbus, Georgia. And we're gonna play there in November. So a lot of things like that, you know, and I play at Oakmont and Seminole and a lot of great buddies at both places. So I stay pretty busy.
Kai Sato (34:27)
sounds like. It sounds like some pretty cool stuff. We'll let you go in a little bit here, Bob, but you just rattled off some really cool new exciting courses. Congaree, I know does some incredible things in the community, especially on their nonprofit arm. Does golf get enough recognition for that? Do enough people know all the good things that golf does, especially because some of these country clubs and cathedrals of golf can be elitist and can be hard to reach for some people.
Bob Ford (34:51)
Well, you know, I think all the people that need to know know. That's not important to, you know, people that don't know golf. mean, you know, I Nancy, my wife, knows everything because of me. And otherwise, she even know what we're talking about. You know, we talked about Congarese Foundation and things like that. So people that need to know know.
Kai Sato (35:10)
Yeah, well said. I'll let you go in a second here along those lines. Got a chance to spend some time with Gil Hans and what he's doing a cave man and all those things. Anybody listening? If you are newer to golf, there's a lot of these incredible things out there where Gil has scholarships for people that work on his golf courses. It's the most philanthropic sport by a mile. And I think Bob said it well that if you need to know, know, but as more people are getting into the game, the younger people
help them understand how special it is and they'll figure it out over time. I'll let you hop, but before I do, you've already nominated some people. Now that you know a little bit more about what we're doing, is there anyone else we should go track down Bob and talk to about what it was like looping and get their stories down similar to yours?
Bob Ford (35:50)
Well, I gotta think about that guy. Yeah, he caught me off guard. I will think about it. I will text you or email you.
Kai Sato (35:56)
No problem. Well, I will let you run Bob for everyone who is listening. This is why the game is so cool. Getting to spend a little time with Bob Ford and it came about because a couple weeks ago I got a chance to meet and play golf with Ed stack who's just a gem of a man and a past president there at Oakmont. And as we were swapping golf stories and people we may know Bob's name came up and so I just shared that with him and we had a chance to reconnect and I look forward to.
either hosting you playing some golf with you sometime in the very, very new future there,
Bob Ford (36:25)
Love to Kai. Yeah, and Ed Stack, great friend and great, great friend to golf. And all he's done for golf is extraordinary. He's our big sponsor at Pennsylvania Golf Association and sponsored many, many other great things.
Kai Sato (36:37)
I believe it. If people haven't read his book, it's incredible, but he's these are the people that you get to meet in this beautiful game. And we we invite all these people who are getting into it. Thanks so much for your time, Take care.
Bob Ford (36:48)
You're a guy. Thank you.
