This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Prior to Barack Obama, the American presidents most noted for enduring petty political attacks for playing golf were Republicans Dwight Eisenhower and George W. Bush ("Watch this drive").
Ike played twice a week and had a putting green installed outside the Oval Office. Some Democrats lampooned him as a golfer who moonlighted as president. But Harry Truman, who didn't play himself, told his fellow Dems to pipe down. "To criticize the President ... because he plays a game of golf is unfair and picayunish," said Harry. "He has the same right to relax from the heavy burdens of office as any other man."
Well said, Mr. President.
Paul S. Wetzel
Salt Lake City