The Presidents in President’s Cup

September 14, 2013

The Presidents Cup took over golf’s headlines last week. Media outlets, fans and players are excited about the upcoming biennial team competition of the top golfers from around the world.

But as the U.S. and International squads prepare for Muirfield Village, we’re pausing to look at the “presidents” in President’s Cup. Here’s a look at past (and current) U.S. Presidents we’ve seen swing a golf club or two, or three…

Barack Obama: Yes, our current Commander in Chief hits the links. With a lefty swing as smooth as Phil Mickelson, Obama is also an avid basketball player.

Dwight Eisenhower: Five-star general? Check. The United States’ 34th President? Check. A practice green outside the Oval Office? Check.

Bill Clinton: Known for taking ‘Billigans’ rather than mulligans, Clinton managed to golf a bit during his two terms. He even played this past summer with NBA star Chris Paul.

John F. Kennedy: With his family’s Cape Cod compound located adjacent to prestigious Hyannisport Club, it’s no wonder JFK was capable of shooting in the 80s.

Lyndon Johnson: Perhaps the best reason a President can find for hitting the links, Johnson was known for playing with senators to secure votes.

George H.W. Bush: Hailing from Texas, there’s no shortage of courses former President Bush could choose from to get his own handicap down to an 11.

Gerald Ford: Ford was a heck of an athlete but it didn’t always translate to his golf game. That didn’t stop him from trying though. He was also the honorary chairman of the inaugural President’s Cup tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in 1994.

George W. Bush: Bush actually quit the game during the Iraq War, conceding that it wouldn’t look nice if he was golfing while the U.S. military was in conflict.

 

Featured image courtesy of the White House