“Golf has meant a lot to me. It means friendship, integrity and character.” -George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States and former Honorary Chairman of The First Tee from its inception in 1997 until he was succeeded by his son, President George W. Bush in 201, passed away last night at the age of 94. He was a lover of the game of golf and a devotee of youth development.Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said at Bush’s induction ceremony that The First Tee had reached 4.7 million youngsters and “but for President Bush, that would not have happened.”
“He attended openings of facilities. He wrote letters to people that gave money. He traveled, he spoke, he got on the telephone,” Finchem said. “He wasn’t a chairman in name only. He worked at it.”
The First Tee community will miss his presence. We offer our profound and sincere sympathy to the Bush family and the nation on the loss of a dedicated public servant, patriot and family patriarch.