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George H.W. Bush and a legacy of golfing American Presidents

By Bill Felber

UNITED STATES - JULY 04: Former President George H.W. Bush hits the ceremonial first drive during the Opening Ceremony of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on July 4, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - JULY 04: Former President George H.W. Bush hits the ceremonial first drive during the Opening Ceremony of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on July 4, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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LA QUINTA, CA – JANUARY 24: Former President Bill Clinton addresses the gallery after conclusion of the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge In Partnership With The Clinton Foundation at the TPC Stadium course at PGA West on January 24, 2016 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LA QUINTA, CA – JANUARY 24: Former President Bill Clinton addresses the gallery after conclusion of the final round of the CareerBuilder Challenge In Partnership With The Clinton Foundation at the TPC Stadium course at PGA West on January 24, 2016 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

George H.W. Bush brings golf back to the White House

George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) came by his golfing interest by blood. His maternal grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was a former USGA President and founder of the Walker Cup competition.  His dad, Prescott Bush, also served as USGA President. The first President Bush himself was eventually inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The first honorary chairman of the First Tee program, he cited the influence of his father, a frequent on course companion of President Eisenhower, for teaching him the game.

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In office, he became celebrated for his devotion to what came to be called “speed golf.” “You put your track shoes on when you played with him,” Tour player Hale irwin remarked. Bush from time to time declared that anybody who wanted to play golf with him better be prepared to finish an 18-hole round in no more than three hours.

Bill Clinton (1993-2001) shared Bush’s devotion to the game, going so far as to reinstall the White House putting green Nixon had removed. In time, he gained something of a reputation for his casual relationship with the rules, including allowing himself mulligans as the desire to do so dictated. In retirement, Clinton continues to be an active figure in the golf community, notably through his chairmanship of the Humana Challenge, a PGA Tour tournament played in Palm Springs.

George W. Bush (2001-2009) was an avid golfer as a Texas oilman who played frequently through the 1980s and into the early days of his presidency. When the Second Gulf War broke out, however, Bush took a sabbatical from the game, sensitive to the image of a president on the course while soldiers were fighting and dying. In retirement, he has returned to active participation.

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