It’s pretty easy to miss the sign if you’re cruising on U.S. Highway 1 in North Palm Beach as you approach Juno Beach.
Right before the fork where A1A bends to the right, is a guardhouse with a very small wooden sign — Seminole Golf Club — Members Only.
It’s a posh, exclusive enclave with a number of ultra-expensive homes in Seminole Landing to the right side of the entrance road. The road leads down toward the Atlantic Ocean and you end up at the club.
It is way beyond exclusive. The club was built and founded by E.F. Hutton in 1929 when he hired famed architect Donald Ross to handle the layout. It is considered one of Ross’ masterpieces along with Pinehurst No. 2.
Titans of industry were members — Joe Kennedy, Henry Ford, Jack Chrysler, John Pillsbury. It is interesting to note that the membership shunned celebrities, which makes Tom Brady’s recent acceptance into the club an eye-opener.
You’ll find amateur bluebloods in the membership — Marvin Giles III, aka “Vinnie.” Vinnie won the 1972 U.S. Amateur and the 1975 British Amateur. Nathaniel Crosby is a member. He won the 1981 U.S. Amateur.
When Jack Nicklaus moved to North Palm Beach, he sought to join the exclusive club.
When his name came up for discussion at the membership meeting, the old members grumbled that they already had one professional as a member and didn’t need another. A new, young member turned and whispered to the older member seated next to him: “Who is the professional who is a member? To which the old member quickly answered: ‘Ben Hogan.'”
Nicklaus’ was rejected.
From that point on, PGA Tour players in the area knew it was useless to try and join.
The club has had the same attitude toward big-name celebrities, which makes the entrance of six-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady, extraordinarily unusual.
Perhaps a lot of the “old guard” has passed on and the younger guys decided to let Brady slip in.
On a side note, someone at the club has pull with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. The course occupies 140 acres on the Atlantic Ocean. The property appraiser has it valued at $10.2 million. Should be more like $102 million. Go try and find 140 oceanfront acres in Palm Beach County for $10 million.
Immelman Will Captain International Team For Presidents Cup:
Not that anyone really cares but Trevor Immelman has been named captain for the International team for the 2021 Presidents Cup.
The 40-year-old South African won eight times on major professional tours worldwide, highlighted by the 2008 Masters title. He played in the 2005 and 2007 Presidents Cups and served as an assistant to Ernie Els in the 2019 matches. The 2021 Presidents Cup is scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.
The U.S. captain has not been announced.
8 Comments
baxter cepeda
I don’t know if Palm Beach was ever Jacks town like it is Toms town right now.
I care.
Trevor is a smart guy. He understands the Cup as player, commentator and captain. All these angles make Trevor scary ready to lead the internationals.
Tom Edrington
Palm Beach County is PACKED with Jets fans the rest are Dolphin fans, they don’t follow the Buccaneers over there; Maybe now they will!
baxter cepeda
Everyone will now.
Tom Edrington
Go Bucs; Hoping we have NFL football for 2020…
patty
Cheater Tom? Those that actually live in northern Palm Beach county could give 2 shts that he joined or has a presence here. Saying it’s not Jack’s town just shows you have no knowledge of the area
Tom Edrington
Please show me where in the article I said “It’s not Jack’s town” You can’t. I’ve known Jack and his family north of 40 years and have spent time at his home and Jackie’s; I probably know more places there than you do as my sister lived there for 20 plus years and I spent a lot of time over there; Went to all the old haunts like Decesares in North Palm, went to the Square Grouper before it was famous; Worked and lived over there for a while; One of my best friends lived there for 20 years. My friend Kim Schwencke’s dad was the “Mayor Of North Palm” and I could go on and on…..So don’t tell me I have no knowledge of the area.
patty
Hey Tom, did I say I was responding to you? It seems the first quote from Baxter Cepeda says it. It’s unlikely you’ve spent more time here than me based on your comments. I’m also not going to go into any details on your relationships with the family cause I can tell you offline, without a doubt they’re not comparable. And anyone and everyone knows that old man Eissey was commonly known as the “mayor of north palm” and schwencke as the grandfather or founder of npb. Either way, no one cares that cheater Brady joined the club!
Tom Edrington
You’re just jealous because Tom Terrific led our Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl title! I know Baxter doesn’t know anything about North Palm, he lives in Hawaii….