#32: Other Plans
On President Gerald Ford's birthday, we remember the time the President skipped a major event to play golf with Arnold Palmer.
It was January 20, 1981, and newly elected President Ronald Reagan was being inaugurated. President Ford, just out of office, skipped the inauguration and headed to the Bing Crosby Invitational to partner up with Palmer. The former President reportedly was still on course when Mr. Reagan delivered his address, completely aware that Mr. Ford would be elsewhere. There were no ill feelings between the two Presidents; Ford had said simply that he wanted to stay “in the background.” “For one thing, I’ve been to eight inaugurals before,” he explained at the time. “This is Ronald Reagan’s day.” And today is yours, Mr. President. Happy birthday.
