Albany, Bahamas ….
Tiger Woods and fellow Masters winner Patrick Reed have led golf’s tribute to President George W Bush who passed away aged 94.
The 14-time Major winning Woods got to know the 41st President of the United States since his amateur days and their friendship was nurtured through Bush’s fondness and involvement with the PGA Tour, the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup.
Then in his retirement years, the late President was a regular visitor also to the PGA Tour’s long-running Shell Houston Open.
04 July 2007: Former President George H. W. Bush and Tiger Woods arrive at the first tee to start the inaugural AT&T National PGA event at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
“I met Mr. President back when I was an amateur, so back when we were practicing in Houston, so it’s been a long time,” said Woods after posting a third round 72 to be sharing last place in the 18-player Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
“So, I met him on numerous occasions. He was fantastic to be around. He was just one of the smartest people I’ve ever been around, and so down to earth.”
Woods played a number of rounds of golf in the late President’s company while in Houston and at the ultra-private Lochinvar Golf Club and just a short distance from Bush International Airport.
“We’d play one of those very quick rounds, 18 holes in probably under two and a half hours,” said Woods.
“He just loved his golf and he did so much for the game of golf.
“His name is synonymous with golf. Being around him for all these years and getting a chance to, you know, be around him at Presidents Cup and him being involved in it since its inception in ’94, it’s been — he was such a class act.
“Anyone who’s ever been around him knows how much he loved his golf and how much he supported it and how much we’re going to miss him.”
The late President’s father and grandfather both served as president of the US Golf Association (USGA).
The PGA of America honoured Bush with its Distinguished Service Award in 1997. The USGA awarded him its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, in 2008.
In 2011, he joined Dwight Eisenhower as the only former US presidents to be inducted into the golf Hall of Fame.
Also paying tribute to Bush was Reed, the current Masters champion and fellow Houston resident.
“I got to meet both Bushes and they were — they’re amazing people,” said Reed after he signed a third round 66 at the Hero World Challenge.
“It’s very sad to hear. All our condolences are going out to their family and everything. It’s an unfortunate time, but with what he’s done throughout his entire life for our country and for everyone in Houston as well, he’s going to be dearly missed.
“Actually, I met him at a golf tournament. Shocking, right? Yes, I was playing and all of a sudden I kind of turned around right when I finished and he was there.
“I walked over and said hello, took off my hat, kind of talked to him for a little bit, talked a little about Houston and how he’s been doing.
“You know, seemed like it wasn’t a long time ago when we were able to talk to him.
“Unfortunately, you have the tragedy like that, but at the same time with how much he’s touched people in our country and around the world and also in Houston, it’s a sad day.”
