Ike still in, Bush is out.
(Public Domain)
UNDER CLOUDY SKIES at Augusta National Golf Club, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford advanced to the semifinals of the Presidents Golf Championship (PGC).
For No. 13 seed Nixon, it was the second consecutive upset − this time at the expense of George H.W. Bush − although he now faces political nemesis and tournament top seed Kennedy in the semifinals. When asked for his thoughts about his next opponent, JFK declined to comment.
The other semifinal will pit No. 2 seed Dwight Eisenhower against No. 3 seed Gerald Ford. Summaries of the quarterfinal matches are below, followed by the upcoming semifinal matches.
EAGLE BRACKET
#1 Kennedy defeats #8 Obama, (match score not disclosed)
Summary: While Obama’s political skills may remind some of JFK, his inconsistent golf game was no match for Kennedy’s, especially at Augusta. It was over early, and, by mutual agreement, the final match score was not disclosed so as to not embarrass the president-elect. Not only did Obama show respect for Kennedy’s golf game, he praised JFK’s skillful oratory. The pair spent much of the match discussing Obama’s inauguration speech as the president-elect sought a few pointers.
#13 Nixon defeats #5 George H.W. Bush, 1-up
Summary: Long shot Richard Nixon once again showed his resiliency and resolve, coming from three holes down on Augusta’s inward nine to upset George H.W. Bush. The rally began at the par-5 13th hole, where Nixon noticeably slowed down his play, which clearly infuriated the fast-playing Bush. The comeback was completed on the final hole when a rattled Bush three-putted for a double bogey and Nixon slapped a 20-foot bogey putt that raced across the green and dove into the cup. When asked about gamesmanship, Nixon’s reply sounded like a warning. “My opponents should know I play to win.”
FREEDOM BRACKET
#2 Eisenhower defeats #7 Clinton, 9 and 7
Summary: Ike was on his game and decimated an overmatched Bill Clinton in the day’s second-to-the-last pairing. The general had his game face on and was impervious to Clinton’s charm and golfing eccentricities (even when Clinton gave himself a potential hole-winning putt). The one bright spot for Clinton was an improbable ace on the par-3 6th hole. It was the only hole he won. Despite the lopsided match score, Clinton insisted he shot an 85. He signed autographs and chatted with spectators before climbing into a waiting limousine.
#3 Ford defeats #6 George W. Bush, 4 and 3
Summary: With most of the spectators following the Ike-Clinton match directly in front of them, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush played an amiable, uneventful match in relative solitude. Whether looking ahead to his semifinal match with Eisenhower or easing up on his erratic opponent, Ford dropped some holes on the final nine, which made the match appear to be closer than it was.
Semfinal Matches
Results of the following matches will be published on Thursday.
EAGLE BRACKET
#1 Kennedy vs. #13 Nixon
FREEDOM BRACKET
#2 Eisenhower vs. #3 Ford
−The Armchair Golfer
Related:
Nixon Upset Highlights Opening PGC Matches
The Goods on Barak Obama’s Golf Game
Ulysses S. Grant Earns Final Spot in PGC Field
Presidents Golf Championship Adds Golf Analyst
Damn straight. I like Ike and his putting game. Do we have stats like GIR and scrambling on these matches?
another small favor to ask… would you be willing be to my blog on your blogroll?
http://www.inbetween18.blogspot.com
Goods: Stats? Let me see … Ike hit eight greens and scrambled well, with seven one-putts. He also had a couple of three-putts, but that’s not unusual at Augusta.
I’ve added you to the blogroll.
This post = Good times
I walked the Ike v. Clinton match. Bubba shot an 85? Does that include the gimmies the General gave him and the “billigans” 🙂
Ted: Since you saw the match, then you know it was very creative score keeping. I still haven’t figured it out. How do you lose 9 and 7 and shoot in the mid 80s — at Augusta?
Good Polk.