PRESIDENT HARDING GOLFS AT NORFOLK COUNTRY CLUB
Norfolk, Virginia (JFK+50) On September 17, 1921, President Warren G. Harding played nine holes of golf at the Country Club here in Norfolk. The presidential party included Attorney General H. M. Daugherty, Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, Undersecretary of State Henry P. Fletcher and George P. Christian, Jr.*, Mr. Harding's secretary.
The President arrived around midnight at Hampton Roads aboard the yacht Mayflower. No official functions were scheduled. In fact, the White House had let it be known in advance that the President and his people "wanted simply to fish and play golf and not be bothered."
They did and they weren't.
*George P. Christian, Jr. worked as a cub reporter on "The Marion Star" & upon his marriage moved into a house next door to one the Hardings built for themselves. Although GPC wasn't sure he was up to the task, President Harding insisted he go to Washington along with him as his secretary.
SOURCES
"President Plays Golf At Norfolk," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 17, 1921, Chronicling America, www.loc.gov/
"The Illustrious Life and Work of Warren G. Harding," by Thomas Herbert Russell, 1923.
