BETHESDA, Md. – Ernie Els was one of the International Presidents Cup members who attended the White House Tuesday evening. President Obama held a ceremony honoring the victorious U.S. squad but six members of the opposing side were on hand for the festivities.
Although Els is from South Africa, he understands the significance of meeting a U.S. president in the White House. He’s lived in the states for the better part of two decades.
“That was really special,” Els said Wednesday at the Quicken Loans National. “That’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Photos: Presidents Cup teams visit White House
Only players were allowed in the Oval Office prior to the ceremony and Els described a neat scene that was instigated by a certain left-handed five-time major champion.
“We walked around there and Phil Mickelson asked if he could have an apple, so the president lost about 20 apples out of the jar,” Els said. “We walked around the Oval Office eating apples and just feeling it. It was just wonderful.”
