Ed Machir

The best friendships are those that not only stand the test of time but branch out and grow. We asked Ed Machir, native Washingtonian and a past Treasurer of the Club, about his favorite round of golf at Congressional. His round shows the enduring bonds that Members create out on the golf course.

My favorite round is any round I played with the late Bob Hawkins, known as Hawk. He was my Presidents’ Cup partner. We never won, but I guarantee we had more fun than anybody out there.

In the last Presidents’ Cup that we played together, in June of 2021, we’re on the 18th hole of the Blue Course. Hawk was infamous in our group for putting from way off the green. He’s got to be 75 to 100 feet up the fairway. I’m on the green, and our opponent says to me, “Your partner’s got the wrong club.” I said, “No, he doesn’t.” He tells me Hawk has his putter, and I say, “Exactly. Watch this.”

He put the ball two feet from the hole and made his par.

Another favorite memory is playing in a Ryder Cup-style match. We’re on the 18th hole, our opponents have to win the hole to halve the match. They’re in the pond in two, and Hawk and I are giving our opponent, Dr. Jimmy Barter, a hard time. Dr. B., shoes and all, climbed into the muck and mire, and hit his ball out of the water. He did not make par out of the pond. Another memory of Hawk and me as partners.

When I moved back to D.C. after living in Texas for 20 years, there was really only one club I wanted to join, the best club in the city, Congressional. I didn’t really know that many people at Congressional, but it took no time for me to meet a lot of great people and make many, many friends.

I went to Georgetown Prep with Casey Aiken. We were good friends in high school. We saw each other some after high school, but life took us in different directions. When I got into Congressional, Casey reached out to me and introduced me to Bob Hawkins. Actually, he introduced me to all the guys with whom I play golf. I wouldn’t have my favorite rounds if it wasn’t for him. That’s been the best thing about Congressional: the PEOPLE!