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.

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!

Dining at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club

At Harbour Ridge, we make dining an unforgettable experience. Our residents and their guests can choose from several dining options to fit their mood and occasion. Our Palm City based country club puts forth an exemplary effort in providing wonderful service and delightful cuisines.

Dining at Harbour Ridge is focused solely on the diners experience. Our talented chefs hand-craft heart-warming meals in the state-of-the-art kitchens on a daily basis. No matter what you may be in the mood for you'll find it at Harbour Ridge. You can dine formally or casually at our list of dining venues.

Residents and guests can choose from any of our excellent venues such as The Grille Room, The Grille Lounge, Riverview and The Dockside Pavilion. Each dining experience is sure to leave you with a memorable experience and counting down your next cuisine at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. There's much more to enjoy than golf and tennis. The amenities are endless at our Treasure Coast country club.

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

A Culinary Battle at Harbour Ridge

Image Credit: dga,org

Harbour Ridge’s Executive Chef, Michael Plotkin, is cooking up something big for our members. Plotkin is laying the ground work for exciting new traditions at Harbor Ridge. With the club and annual activities offered there’s never a dull moment in our community. Chef Plotkin pulled inspiration from the Food Networks hit show The Iron Chef to create the highly anticipated 1^st Annual Harbour Ridge Iron Chef Competition.

The culinary battle of will is set to take place on May 8^th inside the Riverview Dining Room. The venue will be transformed into a real live cooking competition complete with stadium seating for the audience. Attendees of the competition will be treated to a delightful dinner complete with hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts.

The cost is $100 per person; including dinner and an open bar. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Harbour Ridge Family Foundation for support. No competition is complete without proper judging and great prizes. Executive Chef Plotkin will serve as a judge on the panel along with the House Committee chair, Fred Comfort and Chef Stocks from the District Table and of course our very special audience! 

For more information or to reserve seating contact Executive Chef Michael Plotkin, m.plotkin@hrycc.org 336-8906.

Waterfront Dining at The Dockside Pavilion

Enjoy a la carte dining with friends at our beautiful waterfront Dockside Pavilion. This casual dining feature is known to be a member favorite. The Dockside Pavilion blends the beauty of outdoors and time with friends for enjoyable dining experiences. 
The Dockside Pavilion is open each week for a la carte dining as well as often used for special monthly events, including "Docktails", weddings and member private parties. This venue allows the members to enjoy the waterfront, while the Dockside’s proximity to the clubhouse creates a natural flow between the indoor and outdoor entertainment and dining areas. 

Experience the Club Lifestyle at Harbour Ridge

Imagine a community where golf players, yacht lovers, tennis enthusiasts and nature aficionados delicately weave their lives together. This is the essence of club life at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Noted in our pristine Florida golf community and our active waterfront yacht club, Harbour Ridge uniquely fuses each member’s passions into the country club lifestyle creating a beautifully balanced experience. Plan a trip and be our guest.