Golfers in Chief: Politics on the Green

It is not news that much of the negotiations that determine the future of the nation start on a golf course. It is between holes that politicians from all sides feel more comfortable to express their ideas. Golfing seems to be the favorite pastime of presidents. Fifteen out of eighteen elected presidents were active golf players. It is such a remarkable presence that many have decided on an unofficial ranking of "Golfers in Chief". 

• Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) was the president that played the most rounds. He used to play around the White House with his good friend Dr. Cary T. Grayson practically everyday. Despite the regularity of his practice he was not a very good player, barely breaking 100.
• Richard Nixon (1969-1974) took up golfing mostly as a way to engage with President Eisenhower. Even taking a serious approach to the sport, almost as an obligation of his position, he was not a very talented golfer.
• Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) was a good athlete. However the demands of the time limited his practice to new year's eve in his private course in California.
• Barack Obama (2008-2016) even having basketball as he favorite sport, president Obama doesn't disappoint on the golf course. As a left handed player he is nothing more than an average player, playing primarily at public courses.
• George H.W.Bush (1989-1993) and George W. Bush (2001-2009) coming from a long lineage of players, the Walker descendents are proud to be connected to former president of the US Golf Association and founder of the Walker cup.
• Bill Clinton (1993-2001) with a solid game, the 42nd president is on the top 5 president players. His passion for the sport didn't translate in passion for the rules though.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) although he didn't play a single round while president, due to his paralysis, he was an avid player when younger. He was known to enjoy a tee often at his family's summer home in Maine.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) played more than 800 rounds in his eight years in office. during a time of prosperity and peace he help popularize the sport along with Arnold Palmer.
• Gerald Ford (1974-1977) is considered on of the best athletes to be president. His powerful game outdrove famous playing partners during rounds. His wild game made him also famous for hitting spectators.
• John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) was, undoubtedly the best player among presidents. Even with his physical limitations due to a bad back and Addison's Disease. Although a talented golfer he chose to play less often than his predecessor,Eisenhower,  whose love for the game as seen as a political liability.

Throughout periods of peace and war, internal crisis or international conflict, a good tee has kept our presidents at ease. So next time you invite someone for a round at Harbour Ridge, draw inspiration from the "golfers in chief" that enjoy the sport. 

Follow our Golfing Presidents Board on Pinterest for historical pictures of presidents playing golf.

Best among Golf Communities in Stuart FL

From all the golf communities in Stuart FL, the courses at Harbour Ridge are acclaimed as the best. With two 18-hole beautifully landscaped golf courses, Harbour Ridge has hosted numerous qualifying rounds for USGA championships.

Between the 20-acres preserve of marsh and wetlands, our golf courses distinguish from other golf communities in Stuart FL for it's outstanding work on environmental preservation. Players will enjoy visiting fauna and maybe even some sightings of the famous Florida panther.

Residents are allowed to bring guests to an 'Open to Public' guest policy.Our course is accompanied by a 55 tee driving range and Pro golf shop for residents and guests to enjoy as well. Tee off beneath swaying palm trees and sweeping vistas. The Golden Marsh features a driving range and in-house pro to help you get that putt just right.

As part of one of the private golf communities in Stuart FL, The Golden Marsh maintains a course free of crowding so you can play as relaxed or as rigorous as you please. Keep your eyes on the skies during play, as The Golden Marsh encircles a 35-acre eagle preserve, home to two Southern Bald Eagles for many years now.The natural lakes and marshes that surround so many of the holes on this course add both an element of beauty and challenge to the course.

A Lifestyle of Golf Communities in Stuart FL

South Florida is a golfer's paradise. Gentle hills and rustling palm trees line challenging courses alive with wide water hazards and deep sand dunes. Hundreds of courses dot the South Florida landscape, each with its own unique pace of play. But no other golf course in the sunshine state can compete with the award-winning Golf Communities in Stuart FL. Here, life isn't simply a sport, but a lifestyle.

Golf Communities in Stuart FL

In Stuart, local golf, tennis and boating communities meet as one at award-winning Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Beautifully situated along the pristine waters of the St. Lucie River, Harbour Ridge is a private community in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast. Here, country club living transcends beyond the traditional and into an all-encompassing experience. Members enjoy the casual Treasure Coast lifestyle with all elegance and amenities one comes to expect from an award-winning community. Twenty-eight distinct villages offer dazzling waterfront views of Florida's natural beauty all within reach of Florida's finest beaches, attractions and boutique shopping centres.

Golf

Harbour Ridge is the proud home of Stuart's two finest golf courses. Both the Golden Marsh and River Ridge courses offer a unique style of play in a serene environment. Habor Ridge golf courses are designed to be challenging for even the most skilled players, yet accessible for all levels. The product of course design masterminds, Pete and P.B. Dye and Joe Lee, our courses are focused not only focused on benefiting the golfers but committed to environmental preservation as well. Expect vast wetlands, thick marshes and tall pines.

Yachting

The ocean is only a short boat ride away. Harbour Ridge's three Marinas are located in along the open Intracoastal Waterway with direct access to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Ninety-eight slips range in size from 24-60 feet in length to provide a waterfront haven for anglers and boating enthusiasts. Our Yacht Club is headed by a Waterfront Director and proud member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs.

Learn how to own a piece of pristine Stuart Golf Community, Harbor Ridge Golf, Yacht & Country Club and come be our guest.

Summer Fun at Harbour Ridge

Summer days at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club are filled with fun and adventure. Although the weather is always pleasant here, in the summer the sun rays shine longer and brighter, giving guests and residents more time to enjoy the beauty of Harbour Ridge. June, July and August are months that were made for the outdoors. Taking in the fresh air, tranquil landscapes and beautiful championship golf courses makes impressive summer days.

There’s so much to enjoy at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Many residents and guests are drawn to its ideal location along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The welcoming community of Harbour Ridge is nestled deep into the heart of the highly sought after Treasure Coast region of Florida. Imagine your ideal vacation location becomes your everyday environment.

Harbour Ridge is the perfect community for summer fun. Residents can choose from the busy list of exciting activities offered by the country club. With so many options it can be difficult to decide what to add to your summer fun agenda. Harbour Ridge offers championship golf courses, har-tru tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, clubhouse, marina and yacht club. Harbour Ridge is every golf lovers dream with our two championship golf courses designed by leading golf course architects. The serene landsacping surrounding both courses makes the perfect backdrop for a summer golf day. Whether you're anxiously heading for the greens or looking to enjoy a day on the water, there’s no shortage of activities or entertainment here. The activity calendar is always filled with tennis competitions, cooking challenges, golf tournaments, fitness classes and yacht club events. Come fill your days with summer fun at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club!

Great Summer Golf Destination: Harbour Ridge Golf Community

If you’re looking for a great summer golf destination checkout the championship courses at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Harbour Ridge offers guests and residents two 18-hole courses featuring unique challenges and beautiful scenery. The panoramic vistas are absolutely breath taking. The courses at Harbour Ridge were engineered to display the beauty of nature within the landscape of the courses and the surrounding grounds of the club.

The award-winning courses were designed and engineered by Pete Dye, P.B. Dye and Joe Lee. The courses, The Golden Marsh and The River Ridge rank among the finest Florida golf communities. The golf program at Harbour Ridge provides golf activities and training for residents and guests. The classes are conducted by leading golf professionals. The program services a wide range of training programs servicing novice golfers to Tour professionals.

Harbour Ridge Golf Training includes:

Private Lessons

Short Game Schools

Full Swing Schools

Educational Seminars

On-Course Playing Lessons & More…

The Harbour Ridge golf calendar is filled with events to keep your schedule filled. In season Harbour Ridge members can enjoy weekly and holiday tournaments and major championships. The club also hosts a number of member-guest events where members can bring along friends and family to experience the beauty of the Harbour Ridge golf courses.

The Golf Shop at Harbour Ridge is always stocked with premium apparel and equipment for all golfers. Keeping quality inventory and popular items available is always top priority in the golf shop. At Harbour Ridge the desires of the guests are always put first. This summer treat yourself to the very best in Florida golf communities. Reserve your trip to experience Harbour Ridge first hand. Click here to learn more.

Harbour Ridge Yacht Club

 

We invite you to experience Harbour Ridge first hand. Our gated golf community has much more to offer than a championship course of beautiful greens. You'll find the laid back marina life of Harbour Ridge fascinating. Our marina and yacht club offer great opportunities for our members to enjoy their family and friends by land or by sea. The club hosts an array of fun and exciting events for members and their guests to enjoy. Check out our Yacht Club calendar for details on upcoming soirees and parties. Our club is "the perfect place to meet and mingle with other boating enthusiasts, or to simply spend more time doing what you love."

Championship Courses of Harbour Ridge

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club is noted as one of the best golf communities in Florida. The Harbour Ridge community is a true golfers paradise. The lush, well kept greens, the beautiful natural landscaping adorned with uniques estates are just the foundation of the championship culture that makes Harbour Ridge an outstanding golf community. Don't just take our word for it. Experience the beauty of Harbour Ridge for yourself. Plan your trip. Be our guest.

Golf at Harbour Ridge

Harbour Ridge features two championship courses and professional golf instruction programs. It is truly a golf aficionados dream. They can choose from our wide range of private lessons, golf clinics and regular tournaments to stay engaged and keep their game up to par! If you're looking for a great golf community in Florida you've found it! Visit us online to learn more about the amazing golf program at Harbour Ridge.

Waterfront Home in Marina Village - 12790 NW Marina Court

Magnificent views in the heart of Marina Village on the St. Lucie River. Enjoy this luxury waterfront home with an upgraded kitchen, custom cabinetry and master bath. The Harbour Ridge community also offers two championship golf courses, large clubhouse, state of the art fitness center, tennis courts and much more!

Beautiful Home in River Point Village - 709 NW Winters Creek RD

This Cordova style home is located inside the River Point Village built on a large corner lot with a beautiful view of the pond. A spacious expansion of the standard Cordova styles featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a large kitchen and family room for family gatherings. This home even comes compete with hurricane season survival kit, generator and hurricane shutters included. Check out more pictures of this River Point Village.

Harbour Ridge's Gallery of Homes

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club was developed with a unique dedication to the natural environment. On our 885 acres, there are a wide variety of home and condominium purchase opportunities. We have created a collection of home interiors that allow you to open your mind to the many possibilities that Harbour Ridge homes hold. Take a moment to peruse through our Gallery of Homes.

Don't Forget Your Sunglasses

We agree sunglasses can be intrusive when playing golf. Many golfers think that it makes the game harder and more difficult to read. There may be some truth to those opinions but the facts are that the UV rays from the sun can be harmful.This potential risk to golfers is reason enough to wear sunglasses on the green. This article shares a few more reasons for you to bring along your sunglasses.

Many golfers feel that wearing sunglasses makes it more difficult to play golf, particularly when it comes to reading greens. I can sympathize. I don’t like to wear them, either. But I do. And the reason goes beyond unnecessary exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Protection from UV rays is the biggest reason to wear sunglasses, but here are some other reasons you might not have considered.

— Why Sunglasses Matter

Harbour Ridge Golf Shop

The Golf Shop is the hub of all golf activities at Harbour Ridge.  We are always stocked with stylish golf attire and the latest golf equipment.  We also have a wide selection of all-occasion attire, gift items and  hostess items. Our friendly staff is always looking to help our members and guests find exactly what they need.  

Award Winning Florida Golf Community - Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club

Florida golf community, Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club, is an award winning golfer's paradise. The two 18-hole championship golf courses have been designed with various tees. Our masterfully built golf courses are beautifully framed by mother nature's unique overlay, highlighting the natural outdoors with breath-taking views of the landscape. This article offers a detailed guide of our homes, marina and golf course.

The professional staff is available for expert instruction on a two-ended, state-of-the-art golf practice facility. With approximately 100 single-digit, male handicappers and many excellent women players, members of Harbour Ridge enjoy a caliber of golfing excellence that few communities can match. The River Ridge Golf Course is characterized by undulating fairways and greens, deep pot bunkers, island greens and waste bunkers. Five sets of tees are provided to accommodate all golfers, plus there's a combination course consisting of a mix of the various colored tees. The clubhouse features a stunning and well-stocked golf pro shop, formal and informal restaurants, men's and ladies' locker rooms, exercise rooms, meeting rooms, private dining rooms and staff offices. Designed by Pete & P.B. Dye, the River Ridge Golf Course is characterized by undulating fairways and greens, deep pot bunkers, island greens and waste bunkers. Five sets of tees, gold, blue, white, red, and green, are provided to accommodate all golfers and a combination course of "gold & blue tees," "blue & white tees," "white & red tees," and "red & green tees" offer yet another interesting challenge to all golfers.

— Harbour Ridge Community

Husband & Wife Tourney at Harbour Ridge

There’s no better place to strengthen the bond of marriage than on the green. This Sunday, April 27^th Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club will host the Husband & Wife Tourney. The Pinehurst format is always a great test of a relationship’s patience and fortitude! Come out and have some fun. Join us for the awards dinner that will follow there’s sure to be great stories to share.

Clubs at Harbour Ridge

Are you looking for a community to fuel your social and adventurous lifestyle? Do you enjoy experiencing nature on group hikes or the camaraderie of a quiet book club? Like the birds in their nests or the bees in their hive, the residents of Harbour Ridge are an energetic and engaging group, and they’re forever busying themselves with a variety of diverse interests and activities. No matter what your hobby or interest, there’s a club for you at Harbour Ridge.

Pet Friendly Parks at Harbour Ridge

We know that puppies are a part of the family. At Harbour Ridge we have something for everyone and that includes a special park for your furry friends. Trust us your puppies will love it. Let your puppies be unleashed. That is the only way to describe the freedom and fun at the puppy park at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Harbour Ridge dog owners have coined the term "Puppy Play" time. Each day our owners gather together to exercise their pets and allow them to have a happy social experience. Harbour Ridge has no limit on the size of "puppy" you may have in the community, another reason for our pet friendly members to be happy.

Hitting a Driver Off the Deck

Everyone knows the gut-wrenching feeling that builds when your up against this challenge. Sharpen your golf game with this video tutorial from Golf Digest on hitting a driver off the deck.

It's a high nerve shot with a high reward and if you catch it just right you'll have bragging rights for the rest of the day. Golf Digest Best Young Teacher Jason Birnbaum shows you how to hit a driver off the deck.

— Driver Off the Deck

Florida Golf Communities: Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club

Experience our private gated country club offering pristine Florida golf communities with a boisterous marina and yacht club. Nestled in the hub of Palm City, Fl. on the stunning Treasure Coast, Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, offers 28 villages featuring beautiful homes and condominiums. Enjoy our virtual tour and plan your trip today.

Discover the Beauty of Harbour Ridge

Spring time is synonymous with relaxing outdoor activities. What better place to enjoy the beauty of springtime than on the greens of Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club?  Our two championship courses, designed by master planners Pete and P.B. Dye and Joe Lee, feature 18-holes accenting a breathtaking backdrop of Florida’s natural splendor. Escape the hustle and bustle of life and plan your trip today.

Pristine Florida Golf Communities Renowned for our environmental preservation, we offer access within our gated golf community to two of the most pristine golf courses on Florida’s Treasure Coast: The River Ridge and Golden Marsh. The father and son team of Pete and P.B. Dye designed River Ridge with an eye toward beauty as well as "playability." Situated among vast wetlands, it’s considered to be one of the top golf courses within Florida’s golf communities. Golden Marsh lies amidst a 20-acre nature preserve. This Joe Lee inspired golf course, again, is recognized as one of the finest golf course communities on the Treasure Coast. Enjoy the soft sounds and smells of natural beauty as you play your way through some of Florida’s most arresting natural habitat. Single digit handicappers will feel welcome in this Florida golf community near Stuart in Palm City, Florida.

— Harbour Ridge