Jack Nicklaus honors President Ford
Jack Nicklaus, one of the honorary pallbearers for President Ford, has paid tribute to the former president:
“President Ford was one of seven Presidents I have been fortunate enough to meet, and one of three I have played golf with–George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton being the others. In fact, it was President Ford who invited me to play two rounds of golf with Clinton. I would guess that President Ford and I played between 20 and 30 rounds of golf together–from the five Bing Crosby Pro-Ams we partnered in, to Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic, to his own Jerry Ford Invitational in Vail. Gerald Ford might have been the best player among the presidents I have met. The former president was a big hitter off the tee and played to about a 13- or 14-handicap. And when I say he was a 13- or 14-handicap, I mean he was a real 13 or 14. He would regularly shoot 85. I think President Ford’s ability to play golf was an extension of him being an overall good athlete. We played golf together; we skied together; and he was known as a very good football player. I am certain he was one of the best athletes to have ever served in the White House.”
For the full statement, go here.
