Eisenhower first US president put in Hall of Fame
June 26, 2009
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP)—Former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose passionfor golf helped to boost its popularity after World War II, was selected Fridayto be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
He will be the first U.S. president in the Hall of Fame when he is inductedposthumously Nov. 2 at the World Golf Village.
“One would be hard-pressed to find any single person who did more topopularize the game of golf, not only in the United States but throughout theworld, than President Eisenhower,” Arnold Palmer said. “His visibility,coupled with his passion for the game, were the inspiration for literallymillions of people picking up the game for the first time.
“Those involved in golf today owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and close friends with the lateClifford Roberts, who founded the home of the Masters along with amateur greatBobby Jones.
Even now, the former president’s influence is felt each April during theMasters.
The tee shot on the 17th is difficult because of the “Eisenhower Tree,” aloblolly pine that is 65 feet high, more than 100 years old and about 210 yardsoff the tee down the left side. It gave Ike fits during so many rounds.
Eisenhower finally campaigned to have the tree removed, proposing during anAugusta National governors’ meeting in 1956 that it be cut down. Robertsoverruled him and adjourned the meeting.
After his election in 1952, club members built a special cabin for him—TheEisenhower Cabin—complete with space for Secret Service agents on the bottomfloor.
He also has a pond named after him on the Par 3 Course called “Ike’sPond.” According to club history, Eisenhower was walking through the woods onthe east part of the property when he told Roberts he had found a perfect spotto build a dam for fishing.
Eisenhower made 45 trips to Augusta National—five before his election, 29while in office and 11 after his two terms as president.
According to “First Off The Tee,” a book on U.S. presidents who playedgolf, 3.2 million Americans played golf when Eisenhower took office in January1953, a number that had doubled when he left office.
“He was a role model not only in the United States, but throughout the freeworld, and his leadership during World War II brought hope when it was sorelyneeded,” said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.“That such a man was devoted to golf did much to popularize and raise thestature of our sport.”
Eisenhower will be inducted along with two-time Masters champion Jose MariaOlazabal of Spain, former PGA champion Lanny Wadkins and Christy O’Connor ofIreland.
He joins a short list of Hall of Famers who never played competitively, suchas Bob Hope and Dinah Shore.
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