PONTE VEDRA BAY, Florida – Cameron Smith is the highest-ranked player to join LIV Golf. He won the Players Championship in his own backyard in March and the British Open at St. Andrews July. In August, he was wooed by Greg Norman, LIV CEO.
You will find awkward moments at the grocery shop checkout, gas pump, or even the first tee when you live just a few miles from the global headquarters of the PGA Tour. People will talk. They’ve had so much fun talking. Oh, how they’ve talked.
Although that rumor was proven to be true, Smith’s close friend, who requested anonymity, said that the latest rumor circulating around the First Coast, that Smith plans to move because he’s been blackballed at local clubs and can’t find any place to play, and that Smith has been escorted from one private club and is trying to buy another using his LIV Golf wealth, is all “hogwash.”
Smith, who is in the Middle East before the Saudi International in Saudi Arabia could be reached, but Bud Martin, his agent, said nothing.
Smith has been persona nugra at TPC Sawgrass since August, when he signed with LIV Golf for over $100 million. This privilege was granted to him by the PGA Tour as a card-carrying member. Golfweek first reported that Smith’s spot as the Players champion was taken shortly after he moved to LIV following the FedEx Cup.
Since several months, speculation has been rife that the PGA Tour may have put pressure on local clubs by threatening to stop Smith from being a member.
Cameron Smith poses with Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, while holding the trophy. He was 13 under to win the Invitational Chicago LIV Golf Tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)
Smith’s team did indeed send “feelers” to Smith asking him if he could practice at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Atlantic Beach Country Club, and Sawgrass Country Club. However, those clubs have waiting list and Smith’s representatives were basically told that Smith would be at the back of that line and that his celebrity wouldn’t give him any preferential treatment. This is how Sawgrass CC treats other coaches and football players. It is not clear that the Tour influenced these decisions. (Editor’s Note: The author is a member of Sawgrass Country Club.
Smith was allegedly escorted from Pablo Creek by former PGA Tour Commissioners Tim Finchem and Deane Beman, while playing with a guest. Smith’s friend stated that Smith never came near the gate. Matt Every, a fellow Tour pro, was supposed to host Smith at Pablo in December. However, it was after Hurricane Ian, and technically the course was closed for maintenance.
Smith enjoys playing golf when he is in town. He has recently played at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club which welcomes resort guests.
Smith is an accomplished fisherman, and Smith prefers to relax on his boat while chasing redfish and wahoo.
Smith’s friend stated that Smith has never had any problems playing golf. He doesn’t like playing golf while he’s away. He might play once if he is home for three weeks. If he is home for two weeks, he may play twice. If he is home for one week, he will only play once. If he returns to the tournament, he will not play golf again.
According to the latest rumor, Smith will buy Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club.
Smith’s friend stated, “Everyone keeps saying this,”
The Hodges family has owned the private club for a long time. According to a friend, Smith has never been on the course and is not interested in entering that business.
Smith moved to Jacksonville seven years ago. His 5,000-square foot waterfront home on the Atlantic’s Intracoastal Waterway is just 10 minutes from TPC Sawgrass.
Smith is considering putting his house on the market and moving somewhere else. He just purchased an undisclosed property at St. Augustine, and is currently looking for another property in the region.
Smith’s friend suggested that Smith might purchase land to build his own practice facility.
It doesn’t seem like the 2022 Players or British Open champ are going anywhere.
