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HUMBLE, Texas — Dinner with Brad Faxon, Phil Mickelson and swing coach Paul Marchand Thursday night at Houston Country Club? Enjoyable and fun. Lunch with Justin Leonard, Davis Love III and Freddie Couples Friday at Redstone Golf Club? Lots of laughs and pretty inspiring. A cloudy spring afternoon zipping around the Shell Houston Open to watch a few shots and say a quick hello to any friends he had missed? Priceless. Welcome to the Presidential version of 24. One day in the life of President George Herbert Walker Bush, who seldom misses a home game here at Redstone. Barbara is usually here too — the better half of the 41 pairing — but she’s at home recovering from a week in the hospital. She did, however, send her best. "They’re all old friends; all guys we know," he said, tucking his legs inside the golf cart. "One reason it’s so much fun is we know them so well. They’ve all done a lot for the game of golf. They’re wonderful people." Houston’s resident President — he lives about 45 minutes away — treasures his golfing friendships. More than a few players have been invited to Kennebunkport, Maine for the weekend, and to one of Bush’s famous lightning rounds where Marchand, Mickelson and Love are regulars. "It’s always a lot of fun to see him and visit," said Leonard. "It’s pretty inspiring the way he handles everything. He’s a little banged up right now physically, but mentally, he’s sharp as a tack. And he’s really a funny man." Friday 41 was decked out in cream jacket and his red 2009 Presidents Cup shirt. "In honor," he grinned, "of Freddie." And, the nearly 86-year-old Bush, who has been a fixture at all the Presidents Cups, is happy that Couples and Greg Norman will get second stints as captains, but he doesn’t think he’ll be attending the event at Royal Melbourne next fall. "I like both of them and they both did a great job last year," he said. "It’s wonderful that they’ll repeat. "The only trouble is, I think this will be the first one I miss. It’s so far to go. I went to the last one in Australia. I just think it’ll just be too far this time." He grinned. But if you go, he said, "Take your fly swatter. You remember those big black things." He laughed too about giving Freddie, who has won three Champions events in a row, a few golf tips. "I told him to slow his backswing down," Bush said, grinning, rolling his eyes and putting his tongue in his cheek. Bush declined to say much about Tiger Woods’ comeback next week at the Masters. "I wish him well," he said. With that, Marchand, the man who has watched over Bush’s and Couples’ swings for years and is now general manager and head pro at Shadowhawk Golf Club in Houston, got ready to roll out to find Mickelson on the course. Bush laughed about how long they had know each other. The man, someone said, who keeps you swinging. "My friend," Bush said. "That’s the big thing." Just like Love, Couples, Faxon, Leonard and Mickelson. GolfOnline???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??? mp69,712 AP2???? © http://www.golfonline.jp/ . All Rights Reserved. (???????)
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