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Posted: May 26, 2010
Lt. Col. Scott Bartlett got more than he expected when he attended the 29th Infantry Division Officers' Association Hail and Farewell event at Fort Belvoir GC in Virginia on May 16. It just so happened the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama, was playing golf at Fort Belvoir and learned that Bartlett had just been promoted.After his round, the President congratulated Bartlett and presented him with one of his custom Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, complete with the Presidential Seal and number 44 play number.
Click the photo below to view some images of the golf ball used by the 44th President of the United States of America:
The following story appears courtesy of Major Tim Donnellan/29th Infantry Division Public Affairs:
FORT BELVOIR, Va. - President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to the 29th Infantry Division Officers’ Association’s Hail and Farewell May 16 at the Fort Belvoir golf course, where he shook hands and thanked the officers for their service.“I appreciate what you do,” Obama said. “Thank you for service. As soldiers lined up to shake hands, camera phones were everywhere as the officers tried to get a photograph of Obama.More than 70 officers and guests attended the event to welcome new officers and honor the departing members of the 29th Infantry Division.The commander in chief was golfing at Fort Belvoir and accepted an offer to stop by and visit with the officers of the 29th. “The first nine were great, but the back nine killed me,” joked Obama when asked about his golf performance. When Obama finished shaking everyone’s hand he walked away only to return with a special gift for recently-promoted Lt. Col. Scott Bartlett .“Where is that officer who just got promoted?” asked Obama as he walked back to the patio outside the clubhouse. Obama greeted Bartlett and gave him one of his presidential golf balls. Most golf balls have numbers stamped on them, usually numbers 1-4. Obama explained to Bartlett that the ball was a Titleist 44, made especially for the 44th president.After giving the golf ball to Bartlett and congratulating him on his promotion, Obama left the clubhouse. “What a day. I got to promoted and got to meet the President,” said Barlett.
Circle T wrote on May 26, 2010 at 2:46PM
Coolest golf balls ever! I would cherish these!
Ryan Crysler wrote on May 26, 2010 at 5:12PM
Pretty awesome stuff!
Nicolas D wrote on May 27, 2010 at 9:16AM
Damn good looking golf ball.
Lisa McFarland wrote on May 27, 2010 at 12:13PM
Of COURSE Titleist balls. They are simply the best! Because of my friend Troy D and the good people that make Titleist the fabulous company it is. Nice Gesture for Scott Bartlett, Mr. Obama. Good Job. And yes, you DO deserve to golf (and NO you don't have to be good at it) or play basketball or whatever keeps you healthy. Sports are good for you and for U>S>
Love, Lisa McF
Shena Lowe wrote on May 27, 2010 at 4:09PM
AWESOME!
Mark K wrote on May 30, 2010 at 6:57PM
Custom printed Pro V's rock, but that ball has to be the ultimate ball in golfing history.
Scott B wrote on June 15, 2010 at 11:24AM
The golf ball that the President presented to me is one of his personal game balls. It doesn't have the Seal on it for obvious reasons but does bear the Titleist 44 mark which was customized for him by the company. It was a generous token and I was very touched by this gift especially on Armed Forces Day.
