The US Open permanent first-tee starter is one of the most important club professionals in recent memory.
Bob Ford, who retired in 2016 as head club professional at Oakmont Country Club and has been the seasonal pro at iconic Seminole in Florida, was named the new first-tee starter by the U.S. Golf Association in 2017. The USGA made the announcement when Ford was awarded with the Bob Jones Award, the governing body's highest honor.
Ford, who also hosts a show on SiriusXM's PGA Tour Radio, was thrilled to take the job, which is his as long as he wants it.
"Very cool," Ford said Wednesday. "It's an incredible privilege and honor that I've been asked to do that. And as President (Diana) Murphy said last night, I can do it as long as I want to, and that's very cool. It will bring a little stability and continuity to the position."
His voice is quite distinctive, and he's been in the position now for 10 years, traversing venues across the United States for the national championship.
