The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer
Donald Saunders
Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." His sense of fairness, kindness toward everyone, and dry sense of humor have made him one of the most popular golfers to ever play the game. And he was pretty darned good at the game, too!
As a world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer won a majority of his 92 championships on the U.S. PGA tour. The only "major" he never won was the PGA Championship, although he finished second in three of them. Probably most noted for being the first pro to win four Masters Tournaments, it's not surprising to find that he started playing golf at the ripe old age of four. He worked hard at developing his golf game throughout most of his life, and it shows with some of the prestigious awards he's won including: the 1960 Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year, the 1960 Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and even Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s in a national Associated Press poll. The awards culminated in 2004 when President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.
His professional career began in 1954, just a few months after he won the U.S. Amateur Championship. The leading money winner in three of the four years spanning his biggest period from 1960 to 1963, Palmer twice represented the U.S. in the international Ryder Cup Match.
But Palmer never let all that prestige and status go to his head. He unfailingly maintained a dry and subtle sense of humor. After succumbing to bad luck on the 18th hole at the Rancho Park L.A. Open in 1961, a newsman asked how he had managed to make 12 on the par 5 hole. His reply: "I missed my putt for an 11."
Rancho Park became his home golf course for many years. The 20th Century Fox Studios were right across the street, and many times you'd find Hollywood stars mixing with the regular golfing crowd. It's said that after Palmer once played a round with Frank Sinatra – the famed singer rumored to have been involved with the Italian Mafia – Sinatra asked him, "How do you like my game?" Palmer responded with a straight face, "I prefer golf."
Palmer even got along with members of the media, laughing at the statement made by one television commentator who noted during a live broadcast that Palmer "seems to be having trouble with his long putt. However he has no trouble dropping his shorts." That same kindness, understanding and sense of fairness have carried through his life and led to the unofficial creation of Arnie's Army, a dedicated group of fans that has numbered in the thousands.
The honor and unceasing dedication those fans offer Palmer is well-warranted. His philanthropic efforts, while never highly publicized, have earned him recognition with those who count – the people who know him. For two decades, Palmer served as honorary national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has played major roles in fund-raising drives for hospitals in both Orlando, Florida, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the town in which he was born.
Now in semi-permanent retirement, Palmer splits his time between Latrobe and La Quinta, California. He has numerous business interests around the world and still keeps his hand in his first passion, golf, serving as a consultant to The Golf Channel, designing golf courses around the country, and owning several golf courses, including being part owner of the renowned Pebble Beach course in California.
Famed golf pro, down-to-earth father and family man, quiet philanthropist – all can be used to describe Arnold Palmer. His life in golf has mirrored his life in general. Speaking of golf, he once noted, "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." It seems, however, that it has been those who know him that have been the real winners in this game.
Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders
About the author: Golf is a great sport that will give you endless hours of pleasure amongst some of the world's most beautiful scenery on golf courses like those those at Myrtle Beach golf and Charleston golf
The latest information and news on Golf:
ORLANDO, FL-- - Planning a golf vacation in Orlando just got easier. The Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center invites you to Stay and Play with a special golf getaway, perfect for ...
Disc Golf's CSUMB Otter Open for Pros in Seaside, California February 18-19
One of the biggest tournaments coming up soon in the world of disc golf, is the CSUMB Otter Open for Pros that will be held over the weekend of February 18 and 19 in Seaside, California on the beautiful central coast at the CSUMB Oaks Disc Golf Course.
Clint Eastwood Brings Comedy to Golf Channel: A Fan's Take
For those that do not think golf is entertaining enough as it is, there is a new offing in the breeze . Clint Eastwood, best known for his role as "Dirty Harry" in shoot-em-up, god guy-bad guy movies, has been reported to be involved in several upcoming golf related TV...
Golf-Pebble Beach celebs, a distraction or tonic for players?
While golf fans will relish the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities such as Huey Lewis and Bill Murray at this week's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the event's pro-am format can be a mixed blessing for the players.
Golf-South Africa to host Tournament of Hope in 2013
Feb 10 (Reuters) - The inaugural Tournament of Hope,widely proclaimed as the richest single event in golf, will beheld in South Africa late next year, the InternationalFederation of PGA Tours said on Friday. To be played from Nov. 28-Dec. 1, the $8.5 milliontournament will become the sixth elite World Golf Championships(WGC) event and will help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS preventionand treatment ...
Golf-McIlroy, Bjorn sizzle in Dubai as Kaymer sinks hole-in-one
(updates at end of round)
Golf-Korean Wi sets Pebble Beach pace, Woods six back
* Wi takes three-shot lead after carding a 69
Golf notebook: I-Tour to play at Cypresswood
Golf notebook: I-Tour to play at Cypresswood Houston Chronicle Copyright 2012 Houston Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 10:50 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 The I-Tour, according to its organizers, is a "pro-style tour" designed to "enable the recreational golfer to experience the thrill and excitement of tour ...
Disc Golf's Fox Chase Ice Bowl 2012 to Be Held in Albemarle, NC on Februa...
The Fox Chase Ice Bowl 2012 will be held in Albemarle, North Carolina on Sunday, February 19 at the Fox Chase Disc Golf Course. This is another great Ice Bowl series event with tournaments held through the last weekend of the month of February.
Woodlake Golf Course in bankruptcy
Woodlake Golf Course in bankruptcy San Antonio Express-News Copyright 2012 San Antonio Express-News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 06:17 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Just 10 days before the storied Pecan Valley Golf Club shut down last month, Woodlake Golf Course's owner quietly slipped into Chapter 11 bankruptcy ...