WASHINGTON – The withering heat did not deter President Bush from hitting the links on Wednesday for a three-hour round of golf with four buddies.

Perhaps providing incentive to get in a few holes was the president’s upcoming trip this weekend to the Bush family summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, where golf with his father is a tradition. Bush hasn’t played golf in about 10 months.

Exactly a year ago, also in advance of a visit to Kennebunkport, Bush made the same trip out to the 18-hole course at Andrews Air Force Base for a brush-up session.