No shortage of big shots at this Florida course

GCSAA Class A superintendent Eric Swenson has not had a major championship on his property. Twice this month, though, it kind of felt like it.

When President Barack Obama and Jack Nicklaus are on site, wow comes to mind. 

Most recently, Obama played 27 holes on three consecutive days, concluding Monday, at Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Fla. Obama's foursome Sunday included none other than some guy named Tiger Woods (they were joined that day by Floridian owner Jim Crane and U.S. trade representative Ron Kirk).

Swenson, a 12-year member of GCSAA, went along for the ride.

"I got to ride around with the security detail out in advance of their group," Swenson tells GCM. "For me, just to have him (Obama), the leader of the free world on property, regardless of party affiliations, was an absolute honor."

Obama's visit concluded what has been quite a month at the 17-year-old course, originally designed by Gary Player and re-designed two years ago by Tom Fazio. On Feb. 4, Nicklaus, Player, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino headlined the legendary names who participated in a fundraiser at Floridian for the son of Champions Tour golfer Dana Quigley. His son, Devon, suffered severe head injuries in an automobile accident.

"It was like having the Hall of Fame on our range," Swenson says.

For the Obama visit, Swenson says he had more than a one-week notice what was coming. He also knew a few days beforehand that heavy rains were predicted, and it happened.

"We took 3 inches of rain in 36 hours starting the Thursday before the president was to play," says Swenson, meaning he and his crew had less than 48 hours to address any issues. "It was an extra challenge. It (rain) was a blessing and a curse. We needed rain."

The main challenge was recovering the natural, white sandy areas that make dunes features. "Getting it (sand) back in the area it belonged took all hand work," Swenson says.

Although he did not get to personally meet Obama, Swenson simply was thrilled to be part of it all.

"Now we're trying to figure what we can do to top this month," Swenson says.