Page 4 - The Golf Guide, Winter 2017

Opening Shot

King of Kings

While preparing an essay on a recent interview
I had with Jack Nicklaus, the news of Arnold
Palmer’s passing came across the wire. So, I
feel the need to pay homage to the King, who I
refer to as the King of Kings because no athlete
in the 1960s had more of a social impact on the
popularity of his or her sport like Arnie did for
golf. Unitas didn't for Football, nor did Mays
for Baseball or Chamberlain for Basketball. The
closest athlete I can think of that blazed the
trail during sport’s television age was boxing’s
Muhammad Ali.
Palmer typified the working class with his upbringing in the steel mill town of
Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His father, who was a greenskeeper at Latrobe Country
Club, taught him the game, and he eventually attended Wake Forest College on a
golf scholarship before enlisting and serving three years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
A return to college and competitive golf was highlighted by his U.S. Amateur win
in 1954. My favorite story about Palmer comes from Gene Littler. When asked
by reporters who that young golfer cracking balls on the practice tee was, Littler
said “That's Arnold Palmer. He’s going to be a great player someday. When he hits
the ball, the earth shakes.” His 62 tour wins still rank him fifth all time, but that
represents only part of his legacy. Palmer didn’t just have fans, he had an ARMY!
He served as the sport’s rock star. Part of the “Big Three,” Arnie along with Jack
Nicklaus and Gary Player form the short list of those who have done the most to
popularize the sport of golf.
You will more than likely step up to the first
tee of a golf course Palmer had something
to do with sometime in your lifetime. His
golf design signature is stamped on more
than 300 courses worldwide. Arnie became
a spokesperson for numerous products
over the years. Last year, Palmer made an
incredible $40M off the course. To put that
figure in perspective, Arnie was the first
golfer to reach $1M in career earnings in
1967. With all that success, Palmer never lost his common touch with people and
was willing to sign every autograph and shake every hand.
Palmer’s popularity can best be measured by the fact that he was given the
nickname “The King.” Few are bestowed with that title, only icons in their field. I
had the opportunity to meet Mr. Palmer briefly in West Virginia for the opening
of Stonewall Resort several years ago, and I remember thanking him for all he has
done for the sport of golf and beyond. I thanked Mr. Nicklaus also. My dad taught
me to thank those who have given meaningful time in their lives to help others. So,
thanks Dad and again, thanks Arnie!

2 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM