OAKMONT, PA. Mention the name of Bob Ford and the clarity of words mentioned becomes quickly apparent. Class act. Consummate gentleman. A pro’s pro. The list goes on and on.
Ford’s intersection with Oakmont came about prior to the 1973 US Open hosted there. Ford was a 19-year-old collegiate golfer at the University of Tampa and the Philadelphia area native sent head professional Lew Worsham (winner of the 1947 US Open) a letter inquiring about serving as a volunteer during the event.
The 1973 event was an eye-opener for Ford as a number of key players were in contention from Jack Nicklaus to Arnold Palmer and with eventual winner Johnny Miller scoring a final round 63 to snare the title.
After graduating Ford reached out to Worsham who served winters as head golf pro at Coral Ridge in Florida. Ford had wanted to get advice from Worsham regarding joining the PGA Tour. Worsham countered by offering Ford an opportunity to join his staff that summer at Oakmont and, at that point, he could then assess whether Ford’s golf game merited such lofty ambition.
When Worsham retired the leadership at Oakmont promoted Ford, then only 25 and having served in the assistant’s role for five years, to become head professional in 1978. He would remain in that position for 38 years before retiring at the conclusion of the 2016 US Open.
But Ford went one step beyond his involvement with Oakmont. During winter months he was also the head professional at famed Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach for 21 years before retiring from that position too after the club hosted the 2021 Walker Cup matches.
During his lengthy and distinguished career, Ford won numerous awards, including the USGA’s highest honor — the Bob Jones award in 2017. However, he is perhaps most proud of the approximately 50 young golf professionals he has mentored who went on to create successful careers as head professionals at other clubs.
In addition to his reputation as the consummate PGA Pro, Ford is also known for his playing abilities, having won multiple Pennsylvania Opens. In the 1983 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Ford placed 26th and is the last host pro to make the cut in the tournament. During that championship Ford was responsible for all merchandising efforts and successfully juggled both responsibilities.
His considerable golf skills were front and center nationally as he was in the field for three US Opens and ten PGA Championships.
He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005.
After leaving Oakmont, Ford accepted the invitation from the USGA to serve as the official starter at the US Open for as long as he wishes to do so. The return to Oakmont will mark the 6th championship at the Pennsylvania club that the 71-year-old is on hand to attend.
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You wake up in the morning — what’s the driving passion now?
I wake up in the morning refreshed and looking forward to hitting some balls, communicating with my pals, getting to the business of the day, all related to golf, and spending time with my family.
For many years you served as head professional at both Oakmont and Seminole. How were you able to handle the daily pressures that come from such high-profile positions?
Frankly looking back, it came easy to me. Neither club made me feel like it was a job, it was really just a lifestyle for me.
If you love what you do, you don’t look at the clock, you really lose track of time, and I loved every day at both clubs, what a privilege it was for me to have those two keys in my pocket to open those doors.
And the young men and women who were on the team with me, I treated like family, and still connect with them even today.
When you hear the words “Oakmont CC” – what comes to mind immediately?
My home, I lived on the property for 30 years, and it’s been 50 years since I started working there for 42 of those years.
My choice but I have so much respect for this club and members that I asked to pay the entrance fee and now pay dues as all the other members; they were very kind to allow me to do that.
Your pathway in the golf profession intersected with Lew Worsham – a part winner of the US Open and your immediate predecessor at Oakmont. What specific aspects did he provide for you as a mentor before you became head professional?
I owe everything to Lew Worsham. Everywhere I went since I was wet behind the ears, when they learned I worked for Lew at Oakmont, I was treated with a level of respect I hadn’t earned yet.
He was a salt of the earth kind of guy, he loved people, hunting and fishing, gardening, hosting his friends for dinner cooking on the grill. He treated me like family, which I tried to do with my staffs after I took over for him.
I was actually disappointed he retired after 32 years; it was so much fun being on his team. My first year there I carried my college golf bag, he asked whose clubs I played, I played Hogan at that time, he said, “I’ll call Ben and get you a proper bag”.
When Hogan answered, He said, “Hey Hawk, It’s the Chin” (his nickname). I was blown away but, in his era, he was a legend, winning the US Open in June of his first year at Oakmont(1947) and worked there for the next 32 years. I think of him, and our time together with great respect and fondness.
A head professional wears many hats and does so at a very high level. In addition, there is one’s daily connection to spouse and children.
How did you fine the proper balance of time for all this to happen and what related advice would you give to someone looking to follow the pathway you blazed?
Well, the club provided a home on the 18th green for their Professional, I had lived in the clubhouse as an assistant for five years, and then lived in that home for 25 yrs. So my kids were raised in that house.
It’s gone now, replaced with two magnificent cottages that we rent out to members. But because I had to walk by the house on my way to the range for lessons, I got to see my wife Nancy, and three kids, Kelly, Jay and Chandler very often.
There is no play book to work from, you just figure it out as to what works for you, just at least during your season, be thoughtful about staying in touch with your family.
What’s the biggest change in being a head professional today compared to when you first wore that “hat” at age 25 at Oakmont? And what aspect remains the same since then?
I get asked that a lot, and truly, only Technology has changed, how we do the things we do. Other than that, nothing has changed relative to what is expected of us and the job we get to do.
We are the authority on golf at the club. We teach and play the game at a high level, running events, stocking the shop, hiring and training future professionals. It isn’t rocket science. It just takes diligence and a proper work ethic. And an attitude that we are there to make your day at the club a special one, everyday!!
If you could change one thing in golf unilaterally – what would it be and why?
Play well, play fast, play poorly, play faster. One other thing — practice swings are over rated. Just get up and hit it!!
You’ve met a range of influential people within golf through the year. Is there anyone you did not meet that you would have enjoyed meeting?
Not really, I never got to play in my era with Lee Trevino which I regret, otherwise I was fortunate to play with the other greats in my era.
This will be Oakmont’s record 10th US Open. How do you see the course playing for the event?
Well, from Mr. Fownes: “Oakmont is not for the clumsy, the spineless, and let the alibi artist stand aside”. Lew Worsham always said, “Oakmont is the only course where I thought about my second putt, before I hit my first.” If the course is wet, then something in the five-under-par range is likely. However, if the course is dry – as it was in ’07 – then a winning score in the plus numbers is very possible.”
Who is your pick to take home the trophy?
My favorite player in this era is Rory, and I hope it comes down to he and Scottie.
You’ve got one course to play and three people to play with you. Name the course and the three others in your foursome.
Oakmont with my two sons, Jay and Chandler and my son in law Ryan Cameron.
