The president’s penchant for golf is drawing flak from political commentators in the United States. Barack Obama is a long way from remitting office, but Daniel Bates’s copy in the Daily Mail has given rise to a chorus of criticism. Adding to his woe, was an unnecessary discovery of a custom made golf ball, found at the Congressional Country Club this week by another amateur golfer.
As with four of his immediate predecessors and 43 other President’s Obama has sought and found succour in the occasional round of golf. The President is known to have a handicap of around 16 and he plays left handed.
According to Bates, Obama is supposed to have already played nearly as many rounds of golf as he may have in his entire first term. And he has nearly two and a half years left on the clock before he leaves the White House.
There have also been several media reports suggesting that the Obamas were hunting for a post retirement home around Rancho Mirage. USA Today reported a week ago that the first family might be considering a property belonging to novelist Joseph Wambaugh citing the LA Times and Variety.
Meanwhile, the President played his first round of golf at the Bethesda this past weekend. Obama was at the Congressional Country Club course in Maryland with Marvin Nicholson, an aide and sports television professionals Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.
That is where, someone with the Instagram handle “larrydoh” found a Titleist Pro V ball in the woods off the first hole this week. The New York Post reported that the President has played as many as 81 rounds of golf, including one just three days after the fatal MH17 crash in Ukraine.
Under different circumstances, the President may have been lauded for his athleticism and energy, but with some pressing issues taking up centre stage the game isn’t doing his second term any favours. The NYP was scathing in its criticism, painting a Nero like picture of Obama.
With Congress in perpetual deadlock, some believe Obama could use his golfing and social skills to court favour with some of the Republicans that are needed to keep the President’s agenda on track. There are several domestic issues relating to key concerns around immigration, employment and healthcare that worry the Americans. Obama needs to act fast and prove that he can dirty his hands not just on golf courses or risk turning his administration into a lame duck.
Report by Anand Datla
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