The Washingtonian reported Obama has accepted an invitation to join Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md. The club is just a six-mile drive from the Obamas’ home in Kalorama Heights.

“Following careful deliberation, the Board of Governors voted to extend an invitation for Honorary Membership to former President of the United States Barack Obama,” reads an excerpt of a letter from last Thursday obtained by the Washingtonian. “We have received official word from Mr. Obama of his acceptance of our invitation.”

This is the second D.C.-area private club that Obama, an avid golfer during his two terms as President, has joined since leaving the White House. CNN reported in May that Obama joined Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainseville, Va., the site of four previous Presidents Cups. However, that course is about an hour drive from the Obama residence.

Obama was also invited to join Woodmont Country Club amid reports of protesting members, but is not believed to be a member there. The Washingtonian reports there is some hesitancy from Columbia Country Club members over their newest addition, but most seem happy about the decision.

“I think most members will welcome him,” one member told the Washingtonian. “Columbia, in a sense, is in competition with the Chevy Chase Club, which is just down Connecticut Avenue, and so I suppose there [are] some bragging rights.”

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By Alex Myers
Tiger Woods has made headlines for a variety of things not related to golf the past few months, but that will change next month, says friend Steve Stricker. On Thursday, the Presidents Cup captain told Golf Channel that the 14-time major champ will be at Liberty National for the biennial event as an assistant captain. And even though that still leaves golf fans with no idea of when Woods will actually play again, Stricker sees this as a positive start to his latest comeback.

“It will be good to have him there. Guys are looking forward to it and I know he’s looking forward to it as well,” Stricker told Golf Channel after shooting an opening 74 at the Northern Trust. “He wants to get back in the mix, and I know he’s itching to get back out here, and this will be a first step for him.”

Woods, 41, was named an assistant captains in October, but a fourth back surgery in April, a DUI arrest in May, and a subsequent trip to an out-of-state intensive care program to help him deal with medications put his appearance in doubt. According to Stricker, however, Woods now feels like being a part of the event.

Woods was one of Davis Love III’s vice captains during last year’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, where he seemed to really get into the role. That was backed up by Stricker saying in January that Woods was already calling him with ideas for the Presidents Cup. How that excitement translates to Woods’ return as a player remains to be seen, but in the meantime, at least we’re talking about Tiger in terms of golf.

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There’s a possibility that Trump will provide a similar jolt to the 2017 Presidents Cup as the event announced on Monday that President Trump accepted a role as honourary chairman. It’s an honour that is typically given to sitting or former presidents of the host country. Each U.S. president since George H.W. Bush has held this position since 1994, when Gerald Ford received the honor. For the last Presidents Cup in 2015, former South Korean president Park Geun-hye accepted the role from the Presidents Cup Committee.

The question now, of course, is whether Trump will be attending the Presidents Cup at Liberty National? The release does not specify that he’ll be there, but given his connection to the game, we shouldn’t rule it out completely.

“The Presidents Cup committee looks forward to President Trump being involved in the event in any capacity his schedule allows,” said PGA Tour communications director Joel Schuchmann when asked about Trump’s possible attendance. “We’ll announce his on-site involvement if/when that comes to fruition.”

Trump had the following quote in the press release:

“It is a great honour for me to be even a small part of the Presidents Cup,” Trump said. “I have watched it since the very first tournament in 1994. It gets better with age. This will be the greatest of them all.”

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