From big-time host to big-time player, Ford does it all

Last week, Bob Ford was hosting the U.S. Open at Oakmont. A few days later, he is once again contending for the title here at Sunriver. It's hard to top the U.S. Open, he says, but stresses that this event is always the highlight of his summer.

By John Kim, PGA.com Coordinating Producer

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Bob Ford is no stranger to double duty. As the PGA Head Professional at two of the most esteemed golf clubs in America, he has shown a penchant for balancing difficult tasks in distant locations. Ford is the Head Professional at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., and at Seminole Golf Club in North Palm Beach, Fla. during the winter months.

But in the past two weeks, Ford may have pulled off a combination the likes of which may have never been seen before -- hosting a National Championship one week and then playing for one the very next.

Last week, Ford was in Host Professional mode as his Oakmont course was the venue for the 107th U.S. Open. This week, he is in Playing Professional mode as he competes in the 40th PGA Professional National Championship.

"Even as of a couple of days ago, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to come out here and compete," Ford explained. "I had to make sure that everything was in order. There wasn't a playoff for Monday, thank goodness, so by Wednesday, when it looked like everything was setting up like it should, I was able to come out and arrive Wednesday night."

But Ford didn't just make the 2,473-mile trek from western Pennsylvania to the high desert of Oregon for appearance's sake. Ford is an accomplished competitor who's playing portfolio rivals his incredible accomplishments inside the golf shop.

With no practice rounds and battling fierce conditions, Ford was able to shoot 70-75 (+2) and comfortably make the cut. This is the 19th time Ford has made the cut in this event, the most of any player in the history of the tournament.

"For a long time in my career," Ford said, "this was it for me. This was my major. It would have been a big thing for me to have won this, which I never have, and I think that's gotten a little past me now, but it's always been a highlight of my season. Because of this, I've been able to take part in the PGA Championship and the PGA Cup and all the many perks that come with doing well here. Without question, this is still a very important event for me."

Ford acknowledges the uniqueness of his position, but doesn't agree that he possesses any unique abilities or hidden secrets that have secured his legacy in the golf world.

"I'm just a regular guy who happened to get really lucky," he said. "I was in the right place at the right time and got to be at a famous course that made me famous. The same thing happened for the Seminole job. I was just lucky. I'm still just one of the guys."

And one of the few guys who will be sticking around to play on the weekend.