Matt Lauer shows up at ladies-only golf luncheon in Southampton
Matt Lauer made an unexpected appearance at a luncheon held at his prestigious Southampton golf club on Thursday — what made it even more surprising was that it was a ladies-only event.
Sources witnessed the disgraced former “Today” anchor arrive alone during a special event organized by club members at the luxurious Sebonack Golf Club.
“Out of all the men at the club, he was the only one who came in. There was absolutely no reason for him to be there,” said a source.
“A maitre d’ escorted him to a private area where he had his lunch,” added the insider.
Meanwhile, the women at the luncheon had the opportunity to try on glamorous golf apparel from a new luxury brand before enjoying a private meal in the clubhouse.
According to our sources, Lauer sat nearby and had lunch by himself.
A source familiar with Lauer’s passion for golf revealed that he has been a member of the club, which requires initiation fees starting at around $500,000, for several years.
The source also mentioned that it is not uncommon to see him casually strolling around the club, and that he is highly regarded and respected at Sebonack. “They take excellent care of him there,” the source said.
It was reported that Lauer’s girlfriend of three years, Shamin Abas, was not present at the event.
Since being fired from “Today” by NBC News in 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations during the early days of the #MeToo movement, Lauer has been spending most of his time in the Hamptons.
The first public appearance he made after his downfall was at a private Bon Jovi concert in East Hampton in 2021.
Earlier this year, friends revealed that Lauer is contemplating a return to television news.
Lauer was terminated from his long-standing position after producer Brooke Nevils accused him of anally raping her in his hotel room during their coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi for NBC. Lauer maintains that their encounter was consensual.
A representative for Lauer and the club declined to comment.
Matt Lauer made a surprise appearance at a luncheon at his exclusive Southampton golf club on Thursday — all the more surprising because it was a ladies-only affair.
Sources spotted the disgraced “Today” anchor arrive alone amid a special event hosted by club members at the ultraswank Sebonack Golf Club.
“He was the only man who came in out of all the men at the club,” said a source, “There was zero reason for him to be… there lurking.”
“A maitre d’ escorted him to [a] private area where he had his lunch,” the insider added.
Meanwhile, the women tried on glam links duds from a new luxury golf brand, and then enjoyed a private luncheon in the club house.
We’re told Lauer sat nearby and had lunch alone.
A source who knows avid golf nut Lauer told us he has been a member at the club — which has initiation fees starting around $500,000 — for several years.
The source added that it’s not uncommon to see him strolling around the place, and that he’s “beloved” at Sebonack. “They take great care of him there,” the source said.
Lauer’s girlfriend of three years, Shamin Abas, was not spotted on the premises, we’re told.
The embattled news anchor has been spending most of his time in the Hamptons ever since NBC News fired him from “Today” in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations during the early days of the #MeToo movement.
The first time he was spotted at a social occasion after his downfall was at a private Bon Jovi show in East Hampton in 2021.
Friends told us earlier this year that Lauer is considering a return to TV news.
Lauer was fired from his longtime gig after producer Brooke Nevils claimed that he anally raped her in his hotel room while they were in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics for NBC. He has said their interaction was consensual.
A rep for Lauer and the club did not comment.
