I Call Him 'Mr. President' by Skyhorse — Golf, Fishing, and Life with George H. W. Bush

Overview

Immerse yourself in I Call Him “Mr. President,” a vivid memoir from Ken Raynor, the longtime head professional at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine. Newly updated, this book recounts the summer sabbatical that formed a remarkable friendship with George H. W. Bush, revealing how golf, travel, and the outdoors intersect with leadership, history, and everyday moments that linger long after the last putt.

Raynor’s narrative moves from sunlit greens to the open sea, painting sensory scenes—the salt air on Walker’s Point, the creak of a small fishing boat, the hush of a Newfoundland forest, and the steady rhythm of a golf club meeting a swing that became a shared ritual with a man who would become president. The friendship unfolds through a tapestry of experiences: guiding Bush and guests on the Cape Arundel course, greeting world leaders and PGA stars, and then winding down with stories told in the Bush family home or on quiet boats facing the Atlantic. Each vignette offers a window into a time when public life met private joy in the outdoors.

What makes this book stand out

Readers may find themselves drawn to the warmth of a relationship built on mutual respect, curiosity, and a love of outdoor pursuits. The book pairs sport and travel with personal reflections, inviting you to consider what friendship can mean across generations and roles.

• Vivid scenes of golf rounds, fishing trips, and coastal travel that feel cinematic and real.
• A behind-the-scenes sense of hosting and meeting influential figures in a small, seaside club setting.
• Life lessons conveyed through shared adventures rather than directives, leaving space for your own interpretations.

• Ideal for history buffs, sports fans, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a memoir with heart.
• Great for gift-giving on birthdays, Father’s Day, or book clubs that explore leadership and character.

Who should read it

If you relish stories about friendships forged in outdoor spaces, if you enjoy memoirs that blend travel, sport, and real-life moments with historical resonance, this newly updated edition may resonate. The prose invites you to step into Maine’s coastline and beyond, with a narrator who shares not just events, but the atmosphere around them.