Dizziness Hospitalizes Ford

Former President Ford required hospital treatment Friday after getting dizzy while golfing in the heat of Rancho Mirage, his spokeswoman said.

Ford left the hospital during the afternoon, but KMIR-TV reported late Friday that the dizziness persisted and that the 89-year-old Ford had been admitted to Eisenhower Medical Center for evaluation.

Dr. Alan Kiselstein said that Ford’s condition was “quite stable,” and that he would be re-evaluated this afternoon to determine whether he should be released, the Palm Desert station said.

The doctor said Ford’s family was with him at the hospital.

The hospital referred calls to Ford spokeswoman Penny Circle. Telephone messages seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Ford had been examined at a hospital earlier but was not admitted at that time.

“He had a dizzy spell playing golf this morning in 96-degree temperatures,” Circle said earlier in the day.

“They just took him to the hospital to check him, and everything seems to be OK.”

The Secret Service drove Ford to the hospital shortly before noon. He was released about 3 p.m. after a checkup, Circle said.

She said that she had spoken to the former president and that he seemed in good spirits. “He was sitting down to have lunch,” she said.

Ford is an avid golfer and uses a cart.

But he had not been out on a course since the weather in the desert resort area, where he lives, began warming up this week.