September 25 marks the eighth anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s death and looking at the state of modern professional golf one could wish for The King’s presence today.
Palmer loved everything about golf. He once told me when I asked the state of his game after he had played in the Masters for the last time, “Ed, where there’s a club and a ball there’s hope.”
He was not only talking about his play but how he wanted more people enjoy our sport and expand the reach of the most maddening game man has ever devised.
He wasn’t afraid to pitch in and get things done either such as in 1968 joining with Gardner Dickinson and Jack Nicklaus to start the PGA Tour by engineering the split of tour players from the PGA of America club professionals. Or there was the jump into the driver-distance controversy by recommending back in 2001 that Callaway’s ERC II should be allowed for recreational players even though it had more face rebound than the Rules of Golf allowed, seemingly in contradiction of his role as a longtime spokesman for the USGA.
His and wife Winnie’s charitable work was and is ongoing including the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children plus the Arnold and Winne Palmer Foundation which still works with Arnie’s Army on the Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament.
So, if one were to start looking for the next Arnold Palmer what qualities would be appropriate?
First, the next King would have to flat out be able to play. Palmer had 62 Tour wins including seven major championships. Secondly, he should liked and respected by his fellow professionals and the media but there’s one overwhelming quality everyone who ever met Palmer knows…his charisma.
The King’s influence on the game was immense. His father had been a groundskeeper and never let Arnie forget the separation between members and employees. However, Palmer had the ability to connect with people regardless of their status. He bridged the chasm between what had been thought of as an elite rich-man’s sport to a pastime enjoyed by ordinary weekend warriors.
My father and I were behind the ropes when The King walked up for his tee time at Sawgrass Country Club during the Players Championship with journeyman Allen Miller who Palmer greeted with something like, “Allen, how the heck are you—good to see you,” making Miller feel welcome even though he wasn’t anywhere in the same league as Palmer. The King next smiled at the crowd and happened to pick out my father to make eye contact and gave him a nod of the head like they were old friends. Dad was floored that Palmer would acknowledge him in such a special way, but The King did that with galleries all the time.
That was Palmer’s impact. He was the same with Presidents and Kings and locker room attendants.
Who of the current professionals can do the same? Any nominees?
Golf will be better if someone can step up and fill the role.
