Dubya Tee

On Sunday, Aug. 4, 2002, President George W. Bush drove to the first tee with his father for an early morning round of golf. Upon seeing the media gathered there waiting for him, he exited the golf cart and gave an impromptu, flub-free speech calling for peace in the Middle East. He then, famously, invited the media to “watch this drive.”

The juxtaposition of a serious debriefing followed by a piss missile tee-shot will always get the headlines with this clip. But it’s what 43 does afterwards that has always a struck a chord with Nation Golf.

As 41 was driving up the cart path, 43 tells the media, “See ya in church.” This simple, assertive phrase perfectly comes off as a neighborly salutation between President and civilian. It’s disarming and equitable. And it implies that the father and son are headed there after golf because it’s Sunday and they wouldn’t miss it—and neither would you.

The genuine charm in which 43 says these four words, especially on the heels of, “Now watch this drive,” is why we’ve proudly commandeered the phrase as our Sunday tagline and a frequent sign-off in email communications.

Now you know.

See ya in church.