Cardinals' Fitzgerald 1-ups Obama by acing hole
Even when he isn’t playing football, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald knows how to make an impression as a professional athlete. On Friday during a round of golf at Seminole Golf Club near Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, he made a hole-in-one while playing a round of golf with former President Barack Obama.
The news spread quickly as Jimmy Dunne, the president of the golf club, waived a rule and allowed cellphone use so Fitzgerald could reveal his good fortune. His shot turned out to one-up Obama, who did hit the green at the par-3 13th.
Golf Channel analyst Tim Rosaforte offered his quick report on Twitter about Fitzgerald’s ace using an 8-iron on the 162-yard hole, saying in part, “The elation coming from All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the 13th hole at Seminole GC at 1:30 this afternoon was unreal. But it was very real. … I’m playing with the President of the United States and I just made a hole in one!” shouted the host to Barack Obama’s first go around The ‘Nole. “This is unbelievable!”
The elation coming from All Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the 13th hole at Seminole GC at 1:30 this afternoon was unreal. But it was very real. So real that club president Jimmy Dunne waved the no cell phone rule on the course so Fitzgerald could deliver the message.
— Tim Rosaforte (@TimRosaforteGC) January 18, 2019
“I’m playing with the President of the United States and I just made a hole in one!” shouted the host to Barack Obama’s first go around The ‘Nole. “This is unbelievable!”
— Tim Rosaforte (@TimRosaforteGC) January 18, 2019
Also, according to Rosaforte, “Among the high fives was the one coming from the 44th President of the U.S.”
In a foursome with Obama, Dunne and Glenn Hutchins, part owner in the Boston Celtics and a board member of Obama Foundation, Fitzgerald has recently played golf with Tigers Woods, and could be tuning up to defend his title at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Last February, he teamed with friend and PGA pro Kevin Streelman to win the event with a score of 41-under par, including a 12-under for their final round.
“It was me being completely out of my comfort zone, not being a professional, just dealing with what comes I think that’s what made it special for me,” Fitzgerald told Bay Area News Group then. “This game is so difficult, and I think you even have more respect for the guys who win and play consistently at a high level because this is the hardest game out there.”
Dunne, who advocated the Fitzgerald membership, provided the details. Obama had just hit his approach shot 20 feet from the hole. Fitzgerald stepped up with an 8-iron and jarred it.”
— Tim Rosaforte (@TimRosaforteGC) January 18, 2019
The stock shot is 165 yards from the blue tees to an elevated green that almost always plays into an Easterly breeze. It stands as one of the most beautiful holes on the property, with a green up against the sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean.
— Tim Rosaforte (@TimRosaforteGC) January 18, 2019
Fitzgerald, with 1,303 catches and 16,279 yards, third and second all-time, respectively, hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll continue playing football next season.
He did give thumbs-up to Arizona’s recent hire of Kliff Kingsbury as head coach.
“Hell of a coach,” Fitzgerald told TMZ, via Pro Football Talk. “Look at his resume. He’s innovative offensively. That’s somebody with a future right now. So, I’m excited for the chance to meet him.”
However, the 35-year-old All-Pro perhaps is contemplating another career move after 15 NFL seasons. His opponents on the golf course don’t seem to be nearly as intimidating.