Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Golf King Arnold Palmer Helps Vince Gill's Kids Charity


He’s 79 now, with wispy white hair, a grandfatherly manner and, unfortunately, a golf game that has seen its better days.

“I’m embarrassed when I can’t hit the kind of golf shots I used to hit,” Arnold Palmer says.

But he doesn’t have to hit a ball to exert profound influence on golf. When your nickname has been The King for decades, your reputation precedes you. Your scorecard is no longer relevant.

Palmer touched down on Monday at The Vinny, an annual pro/celebrity event hosted by music star Vince Gill that benefits youth golf. Palmer spent much of the day posing for pictures, signing autographs and chatting with players at the Golf Club of Tennessee.

Many were star-struck. You didn’t have to be around when Palmer won the last of his 62 pro tournaments in 1973 to know that you were in the presence of greatness.

“It’s the most amazing thing to meet your heroes,” Gill said. “… He’s the kind of man that makes you feel like you’ve known him your whole life.”

The two met several years ago at a pro-am. They played together once, which Gill said was “like jammin’ with Chet Atkins.”

Palmer is one of the transcendent figures in golf. These days he is considered golfing royalty, but he came from humble beginnings, which helped popularize the game among the masses.

He burst upon the scene in the mid-’50s, winning tournaments with both substance and style. Those who followed him on the course were labeled Arnie’s Army. His success and charisma helped bring television to the pro golf tour.

He merged an extraordinary golf game with uncommon business savvy. With his own equipment and clothing lines as well as a wine label, Palmer was far ahead of his time. He became his own global brand.

His former business partner, the late Mark McCormack, called Palmer “an immortal in alligator shoes.”

On Monday, Palmer fielded questions on a number of topics. Among them:

• Tiger Woods’ struggles since returning from knee surgery: “I think Tiger is over the physical part of his rehab. … I have no question in my mind that he will come back very strong.”

• The disappointment of Franklin, Ky., golfer Kenny Perry’s final-hole bogey and subsequent playoff loss at the Masters in April: “I’ve been there, done that. It’s not easy. It’s about swallowing hard and getting on with your life. … If you play this game long enough, you’re going to have those things happen to you.”

• Determining the greatest golfer ever in the face of technological advancements: “The greatest player of all time — I don’t think they’re ready to announce that yet. Jack Nicklaus certainly has set a standard that is going to be pretty tough to beat. At the same time, Tiger is on his way to maybe bettering that. We’ll see.”

Palmer has made occasional golfing trips to Nashville over the years. He recalled playing exhibition matches in town in the ’60s and ’70s. In 1995, he played in the erstwhile BellSouth Senior Classic.
Serving as ambassador

He swore off tournament golf for good three years ago because he didn’t want to put a deteriorating game on public display. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

“I’m not strong enough anymore,” he said. “My whole game was based on strength — hitting the ball hard and getting after it. Now I go out and play with some of my friends every once in a while and they all hit it farther than I do. That really upsets me.”

As his skills have diminished, Palmer has embraced the role of ambassador. He has inherited the role as starter at the Masters, hitting a ceremonial drive off the first tee at Augusta National on the morning of the opening round.

Today, he is off to Dallas, where he will make an appearance at the Byron Nelson Classic, albeit without his golf clubs.

“I’m on a tour,” he said.

He also remains active in the design of golf courses. Founded in 1972, Arnold Palmer Design Co. has created more than 300 courses worldwide, including the Governors Club in Brentwood and King’s Creek in Spring Hill.

Like fellow golf superstar Tom Watson, another visitor to The Vinny, said on Sunday: “Arnie’s an inspiration to all of us. He never slows down.”

Even without a golf club in hand, Arnold Palmer is still in the game.

No comments:

Post a Comment