15_1000-04504n

[ Arnold Palmer and Elbert S. Jemison Jr. (center left and center right) led a USGA contingent that honored President Gerald R. Ford as the first USGA Member on December 18, 1975| Photo provided by the USGA Archives ]

The USGA featured a special edition video report, remembering when President Gerald R. Ford became the first Associate Member of the United States Golf Association on December 18, 1975. Arnold Palmer, then USGA Volunteer National Chairman presented President Ford with his bag tag in the Oval Office, which also marked the beginning of the USGA Members Program.

Elbert S. Jemison Jr. created the Associates Program to help connect a nation of golfers to the USGA. Jemison was treasurer of the USGA’s Executive Committee and joined Palmer for the White House meeting with President Ford.

Jemison jokingly recalled the meeting and speaking with President Ford. “I remember President Ford kind of pulling me aside and asking: ‘How many do you think will enroll in this program? So far we have you and myself, and none of us have paid yet.’”

Mike Trostel, USGA Museum Senior Curator and Historian, noted that Gerald R. Ford may have been one of the most avid Presidential golfers since Dwight Eisenhower. Ford also played football for the University of Michigan Wolverines and following graduated passed up offers to play in the NFL to attend law school at Yale. While at Yale, Ford helped coach the boxing and football team. Trostel also noted that Ford played golf at Pinehurst and participated in the opening the World Golf Hall of Fame.  

To watch the video report, please visit: http://www.usga.org/clubhouse/40ungatedcontent/geraldfordandgolf.html

To read about the history of the USGA Members Program, please visit: https://www.usga.org/clubhouse/40ungatedcontent/usga-members-program-turning-40-.html

 

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This