RIP Arnold Palmer (my story)

[ghostsinthemachine]

Back in the 80s I did event consultation for a sporting event company. I consulted on a lot of golf tournaments. One year at Torrey Pines (San Diego) I was in the 19th hole (perks) hanging out after the tourney had ended. Everyone as there, golfers, and fans. Jack Nickolaus came in and he was surrounded by his entourage. Trevino, same thing. All of the pros had a large, impenetrable group surrounding them.

Then Arnold Palmer walked in. By himself. Alone. No entourage, no nothing. He spotted a table with two old ladies and made his way there, asked if he could sit with them and ordered drinks. He stayed at that table for an hour or so, talking with the ladies. After an hour or so he got up and left. No big deal, just walked out into the night. I was curious, so I went to the ladies and asked them if they knew Arnie. They both said they didn't, they were just there and he picked them out because they werent clamoring for his or anyone's attention, he just thought they would enjoy it. Said they talked about themselves, that Arnie was interested in them and didn't talk about himself at all.

I was amazed. I spent a lot of time around pro golfers and found them for the most part to be boorish assholes, but Arnie was the real thing. No facade.

[John1956PA]

1. A golf writer told me the same about Mr. Palmer.

A few years back, in a conversation I had with an acquaintance who has covered the professional tours, interviewed the golfers and written extensively about the tournaments, described Mr. Palmer as a "class act."

[Eleanors38]

2. Not a big fan of golf, but I have heard the same good things about Arnie. Hole-in-one.

[malaise]

3. Great story

Rec