On Eisenhower’s York County golf round: He turned in a ‘commendable score’
George Bergdoll, 8, eagerly putted when asked to do so by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the former president’s visit to the Country Club of York on June 21, 1961. Lavern Brenneman, a director of the Manufacturers Association of York, is pictured at left. (See additional photo below.) This is another in a series of blog posts about visits by presidents, prospective presidents and past presidents to York County. Background posts: Presidential visits listed and LBJ’s, Lady Bird’s visit a high point in Dallastown’s history and Crowd to Truman on second York visit: ‘Give ’em h—, Harry’.
Former president Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke to 300 York County industrial leaders at a Manufacturers Association of York’s dinner at the County Club of York on June 20, 1961.
He received documents relating to his Gettysburg farm, dated 1762 and under the signature of William Penn’s agent James Hamilton.
At that time, the Eisenhower farm was in York County… .
Dwight D. Eisenhower chats with local manufacturers during his visit to York County. (Photos from The Gazette and Daily.)
Wood for the document frames came from the Gates House, Gen. Horatio Gates’ temporary home during Continental Congress’ visit during the American Revolution.
Lavern H. Brenneman of York wrote recently that he drove Eisenhower to and from the country club. As they were leaving, he asked Ike if he’d like to play golf on the club’s course.
They arranged for a round three days later.
Brenneman has Ike’s signed scorecard from that day.
“Ike never published his scores when he was alive,” Brenneman wrote. He said Ike scored a respectable 88, with a 41 on the second nine.
The Gazette and Daily did not publish the score other than to quote a club spokesman saying he turned in a “commendable score.”
