Then the four retired to the patio of the clubhouse where they had drinks, chatted with service members, and watched TV coverage of the U.S. Open being played in nearby Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
The match, held as Biden and congressional lawmakers are trying to forge an agreement to avoid a federal default on Aug. 2, was billed as a friendly round of golf among political rivals blended with a dash of budget talk.
Boehner invited Kasich, a former chairman of the House Budget Committee, to be the fourth member. The four teed off at 9:30 a.m. on the 6,431-yard East course at the base, which used to be called Andrews Air Force Base.
The White House permitted a small group of reporters and photographers to watch the foursome finish the first hole, a par 5.
Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., an avid golfer, sank a short putt for par, exclaiming, “Oh yeah.”
Biden dropped a 15-foot putt while Kasich, dressed in long slacks and an Ohio State University golf shirt, missed a 30-foot putt before sinking a short putt for par.
Obama missed a 12-footer before tapping in for par. The president, who loves to golf, turned to the reporters and shouted, “Did you all catch that?’’
The four golfers then returned to their golf carts with Obama patting Boehner on the back. The president and speaker drove in one cart, while Kasich and Biden were in the second cart.
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