Love spends Fourth of July with his buddy, the president

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Davis Love III -- second from left -- walks with former President George Herbert Walker Bush -- far right -- at the Ocean Forest Golf Club in Love's home of Sea Island, Ga., during the 2001 Walker Cup.

In case you wondered, he didn't take a present. After all, what would you give a president for his birthday?

But Davis Love III was among a dozen or so PGA TOUR players who attended the Fourth of July festivities at the White House as President George W. Bush also celebrated his 62nd two days early.

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Love is a long-time friend of the Bush family. He first met the 41st president of the United States about 15 years ago and then got to know the 43rd shortly afterwards. Both Bushes have served as honorary chairmen of the Presidents Cup, too.

"It's always an honor to get to go to the White House," Love said. "The whole (Bush) family has been great to the game and to the TOUR. They do so much for all of us. But to get invited to that is so much fun. A couple of years ago, I went to the Christmas party, and you're always blown away that they include you."

Love and Billy Andrade and his wife Jody were seated at the President's table for Friday night's event. Among other players in attendance were Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Steve Stricker, Lucas Glover, Ben Crane, Jonathan Byrd and Johnson Wagner.

"You can't believe it's actually happening," Love said. "You know him well enough to call him friends, but when you get to the White House, it's different. You talk to him on the phone or you're fishing with him or playing golf and it's one thing. But then you're actually in the White House.

"He took my kids to his office a couple of years ago. I was like I can't actually believe we're here. I'm watching them talk to the presidents, and we're in his office. And he's still like, isn't this cool?"

The Gatlin Brothers, who were giving a concert at the National Mall, stopped by the White House to sing "Happy Birthday" to the president. About the only thing missing was President Bush's father, who was in Germany on business.

"I think he's opening an embassy or something," said Love, who e-mailed the elder Bush to see if he'd be at the party. "I don't want his schedule when I'm in my 80s."

And about that present. Love might not have brought a birthday gift, but he did send the president a copy of a book he wanted after the Christmas party several years ago.

"For which he sent me, of course, a hand-written note," Love said.

Did he save it?

"Oh yeah," Love said. "I've got all my Byron Nelson notes and all my notes from anybody like Ben Crenshaw or presidents. All the stuff from the Ryder Cup, too. Like I saved the menu from last night. The interns gave us little cups that said: Fourth of July at the White House 2008 and little pins.

"So they know. If you're there, it's maybe a once in a lifetime thing, and it's nice to have a souvenir."