Handicapping the so-called "golf summit" between President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner, GOLF Magazine encouraged the commander-in-chief to get tips from U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., who is an avid and skillful amateur.The social outing was initially thought to be an attempt to cool tensions in Washington, but both sides have said no agreement on the federal budget will come as a result of the friendly game.Given the rankings in other golf publications that might be a wise choice for the White House. Boehner is considered the favorite over Mr. Obama, but Yarmuth could give the the president some pointers.From Golf Magazine:Obama could tap Yarmuth, a skillful political tightrope walker who plays to a 3. Yarmuth, who before being elected to Congress in 2006 wrote antiwar, anti–George W. Bush columns for a liberal magazine he owned in Louisville, is widely known within the Kentucky Golf Association as the golfing liberal, the oddball at Valhalla, host to two major championships and the real Ryder Cup, in 2008. He is a member there and can usually be found, weather permitting, playing at least one weekend match.
"They see a Clinton or an Obama bumper sticker in the parking lot at Valhalla," says Yarmuth, "and everyone says, 'Well, Yarmuth's here.' "
Plus, Yarmuth has played with and against Boehner in the Ryder Cup. "John and I always get along great when we play," says Yarmuth. "We talk business but not serious business." Then, too, Yarmuth's Boehner swing imitation would ease the tension in the foursome, and the Kentuckian seems more than willing to straighten out Obama's game as well. "I would love to play with the President, but it hasn't happened," says Yarmuth. "His swing could use a little work, but he's a good athlete and I bet some improvements could be made."