Michael Jordan's top-secret golf course has attracted some big-name celebs, including Barack Obama and John McEnroe
Michael Jordan's top-secret golf course has attracted some big-name celebs, including Barack Obama and John McEnroe
Jackson Thompson
via Ray Allen on Instagram
Michael Jordan's exclusive golf course "The Grove XXIII" has fewer than 80 members.
Some of the biggest names in and outside of sports have been among the select guests.
These names include Barack Obama and Ken Griffey Jr.
Michael Jordan is quite picky about who he lets onto his personal golf course.
"The Grove XXIII," Jordan's own luxury golf club in Hobe Sound, Florida, is nicknamed "Slaughterhouse XXIII." The course has fewer than 80 members since it opened in 2019, many of which are high-profile celebrities.
Here's a look at some of "The Grove XXIII's" diversely celebrated members and guests who have played the course.
Barack Obama
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Former president Barack Obama was spoted in full golf gear at "The Grove XXIII" in an Instagram post by Marcus Jordan, Michael's second son, on February 24.
Obama has an elaborate golf history with Jordan. In 2014, the two engaged in a spat after Jordan called Obama a "hack golfer" in an interview with Back9Network host Ahmad Rashad (who also played at the course). Obama took a shot back, saying Jordan "wasn't very informed" during a radio interview on WJMR in Wisconsin.
Former NBA superstar Ray Allen posted a picture of the course from his perspective on February 10.
Allen played against Jordan as one of his most common opponents on the basketball court in the late 90s. Allen also broke Jordan's record of six three-pointers in one half of an NBA Finals game in 2010.
Now the two compete to take fewer shots as golf opponents at "The Grove XXIII."
Brian Urlacher
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Former NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher brought a practical joke to course back on February 23, when he put a fake snake in the cooler, startling his fellow guests.
The Chicago Bears' Hall-of-Famer has joined Jordan in the pantheon of Chicago sports icons with a 12-year NFL career for the Bears from 2000-12, right after Jordan's reign with the Chicago Bulls.
Rickie Fowler
During an interview with Golf.com, Rickie Fowler revealed that he had been invited to "The Grove XXIII."
Fowler also gave some insight as to how the course may be rigged in Jordan's favor, as certain design elements in the course put professionals at a disadvantage compared to the conditions designed for Jordan himself.
Dustin Johnson
Getty/Rob Carr/Scott Halleran
Reigning Masters champion Dustin Johnson played a round of golf at Jordan's course just last week.
Like Obama, Johnson also has a slight golf feud with Jordan. Johnson's trainer Joey Diovisalvi told the BBC that the two have roasted each other on the course during their friendly rounds of golf in the past.
"Dustin enjoys that MJ is somebody who created this environment where they can just wear their golf shorts and t-shirts and go play golf - there's no formality up there," Diovisalvi said. "They love to trash talk and have their games and I believe that actually gives Dustin more of a confident edge when it comes to tournament play."
Denny Hamlin
Stan Badz/PGA TOUR
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin faced off against Fowler at Jordan's course in February.
"I tied Rickie on the final hole," Hamlin said at the Daytona International Speedway later that week. "The course was unbelievable. There's only 75 members. Hopefully to be 76 here in the next few weeks, so it was really an honor to be invited and be a member at such an exclusive place."
Natalie Sheary
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Professional women's golfer Natalie Sheary showed up to "The Grove XXIII" on January 23, as she revealed on Instagram that she was invited.
Stugotz, Dwight Feeney, Ahmad Rashad, Bobby Sura
Sports talk radio host Jon Weiner, known professionally as Stugotz, revealed in an episode of The Dan Le Betard Podcast that he faced off against former NFL player Dwight Freeney and Rashad.
"You can't really carry your phone around, you're not supposed to tell too many stories about it but I did play there with Dwight Freeney and Ahmad Rashad," Weiner said. "There are just so many little things, the Carolina blue and white tees, the Chicago Bulls red and black tees, just so many things that remind you of Michael Jordan and his greatness."
Weiner also revealed that former NBA player Bobby Sura, who faced off against Jordan on the court in the late 90s, was part of the group that played behind them.
John McEnroe
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Former tennis player John McEnroe was spotted playing a round at "The Grove XXIII," in an Instagram post by Clear Golf on March 29.
