Recently, we asked several World Golf Hall of Fame Members to share their favorite memories with “The King,” Arnold Palmer. This is what they had to say:
Amy Alcott
“Arnold was an icon in this sport. His panache and style forever changed the global landscape of the game. I was honored to call him my friend over the years. I met him in my rookie year on the LPGA when we made a film for the USGA in Hawaii called ‘Move Along for Better Golf’ about the rules of the game.
It was his humanity that set him apart. To borrow Will Rogers’ line, ‘It’s great to be great, but it’s greater to be human.’” -Amy Alcott
Sir Michael Bonallack
“In 1969 I arrived at Oakmont to play in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Mark McCormack, a friend of mine, arrived there with Arnold three days before the Championship started, as Arnold was going to do some of the presenting for TV. Over dinner, Arnold suggested the three of us should go to his course, Laurel Valley, for the day and invited a good friend of his, British golf writer Pat Ward Thomas.
“Pat was a five handicap at the time, but playing with Arnold reduced him to a nervous wreck. His hands were shaking so much that on the first tee he had at least three attempts just to get the ball to stay on the tee peg. Finally he got it to stay there, had two practice swings and then on the actual drive, caught the ball on the very toe of the club, sending it off sideways and missing Arnold’s head by inches. I thought Pat was going to die of shock. He dropped his driver and let out a cry of anguish – ‘I could have killed you!’ to which Arnold replied with a smile and said, ‘Pat, I don’t think you hit it well enough to do that. Would you like to try again?’
“Pat then hit a very good drive, but I noticed Arnold had moved a few paces further away. Arnold was a marvelous host, and I still have the signed scorecard for Arnold, Mark and myself (Pat did not finish many holes). It is a cherished reminder of a day spent in the company of this wonderfully warm and generous man.” -Sir Michael Bonallack
Pat Bradley
“My most recent memory of being with Mr. Palmer was at The 3M Greats of Golf outing. Mr Palmer was the captain of our team which consisted of Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez and myself. That day was so special. I remember him in his golf cart riding very close to the gallery ropes, interacting with all the fans. When Annika, Nancy or I missed a putt, we looked to Captain Palmer for his help. He never missed a putt that day, but what I took away most that day was Mr. Palmer’s gentleness and his kindness towards me – a day I will cherish forever. Thank you, Arnie.” -Pat Bradley
Dame Laura Davies
“A very sad day for golf. My best memory of Mr. Palmer was when I played my one round of golf with him. It was the most nervous I have ever been on a golf course, but also the best day I ever had too. He was a true gentleman.” -Dame Laura Davies
Hubert Green
“It’s extremely hard to put my thoughts on paper about Arnold Palmer. He totally changed the game of golf. His style, personality and engagement with the fans put a new face on the sport. Arnold Palmer became the game. ‘The King’ has passed, but will not be forgotten.” -Hubert Green
Hale Irwin
“While trying to find my favorite Arnie story, I realized that is an impossible task because each meeting with him was of the extraordinary type. There was a certain magnetism that followed him, and few, if any, of us were immune to that fact. So here are a few of my favorite memories:
During the week of my third tournament as a rookie, I was going to play a practice round with a fellow rookie. As we approached the first tee, we met up with Arnie and he asked if he could join us. I think I stuttered out an “Okay,” and we proceeded to play a game where Arnie played our best ball against his one ball. Not until the last hole did we win, which made Arnie a little upset only because he lost $10. We never collected, which was my ticket through all these years to give him a little needle to pay up! It became a source of humor and good-natured kidding amongst friends.
My first Ryder Cup was 1975, and Arnie was the captain with the matches being played in Arnie’s backyard at Laurel Valley. His drive to succeed was evident in one of his team room meetings when he expressed his desire to not let the other team win a point. He was truly a competitive man, but carried that drive most graciously. I nearly flew out of that room with that desire of his being my goal – four wins and one tie for the week for me.
After I won my first U.S. Open in 1974 and before I signed with an agent, Arnie came to me to express his opinion as to who might help me the most. At first I thought he was just promoting his current agency (IMG), but it came to me later that he was just trying to help me to make an informed decision to help boost my career opportunities. I have never forgotten how he went out of his way to counsel me. Arnie did things like that, which is just one of the reasons that we all loved him so greatly.
“More stories could follow, which should likely mirror the above. However, the one thing that he always had was a personal, down-home quality that put people at ease. He might have been called ‘The King,’ but he never put himself ahead of the game of golf, which he loved so dearly. While he may be gone from this earth he will live in our hearts forever.” -Hale Irwin
Tony Jacklin
“At my first Ryder Cup in 1967, Arnold Palmer had just taken possession of a new Lear Jet. We were hitting balls on the range and he said to a few of us, “What about a ride in my new plane?” We all jumped at the chance. There was George Will, one of my fellow team members; Jimmy Demaret, co-owner of the Champions Golf Club in Houston, and Bobby Halsall, the Professional at Royal Birkdale.
“We went off to the airport and boarded. We made a very sedate pass over the golf course where we could recognize some of the other players down below. Then, without any warning we were at 500’ doing 400 mph, spinning upwards. ‘Round and ‘round we went fearing for our lives.
“Eventually we landed, at which point Arnold was very amused. Unfortunately, by the time we got back to the golf course, the local aviation was on the phone. Arnold’s pilot, Darryl Walsh, was doing his best to deal with the situation. To Arnold’s eternal credit, he took the phone away from Darryl and admitted that it was he who had been at the controls. There was quite a bit of groveling, I can tell you. Arnold was very fortunate not to lose his license to fly. He had friends in high places.” -Tony Jacklin
Bernhard Langer
“Arnold was the most personable superstar I have ever had the opportunity to spend time with. He would shake your hand, look you in the eye, talk to you and make you feel like the most important person in the world. He was an incredible role model and had a big heart for charitable causes. He was a mega-star for many decades because of his charisma and the way he treated his fan base or anyone in this world. He left an amazing legacy, and we surely will miss him.” -Bernhard Langer
Phil Mickelson
“I’ve respected a number of players who came before me, but Arnold Palmer was my role model on and off the course. As an amateur, I played my very first practice round at the Masters with him at his invitation. I saw how much time and attention he gave to fans, the media and worthy charitable causes. I’m like every other fan of his enormous influence on the game and his great generosity off the course. I’m saddened by his death, but I’m a better player and perhaps a better person thanks to his example.” -Phil Mickelson
Jack Nicklaus
“He was one of my best friends, closest friends, and he was for a long, long time. I will miss him greatly. Arnold transcended the game of golf. He was more than a golfer or even great golfer. He was an icon. He was a legend. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself. Along the way, he had millions of adoring fans—Barbara and I among them. We were great competitors, who loved competing against each other, but we were always great friends along the way. Arnold always had my back, and I had his. We were always there for each other. That never changed. He was the king of our sport and always will be.” -Jack Nicklaus
Jose Maria Olazabal
“Today is a very sad day for all the golfers around the world. We’ve lost a true champion, a wonderful ambassador and an even better man. I remember the first time I played golf with him. It was the first round at my first Masters in 1985. Straight away I noticed how big he was and how much he was loved in the world of golf. For sure I’ll always cherish all the wonderful moments that we shared at the Masters. We are all going to miss him.” -Jose Maria Olazabal
Gary Player
“I have so many vivid memories of our time together competing around the world, with our families, helping each other’s charities, and just being together. Arnold was many things to many people and undoubtedly made golf more popular, but to me he was simply a dear friend for over 60 years. Of course, like anybody we had our differences but these never stood in the way of our relationship and I will miss him terribly.
“He could be difficult and demanding but also blessed with charisma, charm and patience. Arnold Palmer simply transcended the game of golf. He was inspirational to so many and lived his life to the fullest. He had a slashing, dashing style accompanied with a knowing smile. He was loved by all even when they did not know him. He always made an effort, even when the odds were stacked against him.
“Our prayers go out to Kit and his entire loving family. Muff, I will raise my glass and toast your life tonight my friend, and I hope to be reunited for another round together in time, Rest In Peace. I love you.” -Gary Player
Carol Semple Thompson
“Western Pennsylvania has been blessed to be home to the King, a.k.a. Arnold Palmer. As a young golfer growing up in the same area of the world as Arnie, I was in total awe. I was lucky enough to meet Arnie and his wonderful wife Winnie through my parents, Bud and Phyllis Semple. Though we lived 75 miles from each other on opposite sides of Pittsburgh, our paths crossed at various golf dinners and events. What could be more inspiring to me as a teenager than ‘The King’ taking an interest in my golf career?
“An unusual test of the friendship between our families came one summer not too many years ago when Arnie entered a PGA Senior event in our home town of Sewickley. The tournament was to be played at Sewickley Heights Golf Club. Arnie wanted to commute by helicopter that week from his home in Latrobe, so he called my mother for suggestions on where his helicopter might land. My mother told him that he was welcome to land in one of the horse pastures on our family farm. My husband, Dick, gave him directions to the field and put out orange cones for the pilot. The big day came, and everything worked like clockwork. A local police car was waiting to whisk him to the course. When we asked about Winnie coming to spectate, he said she preferred to come the old-fashioned way, by car. We enjoyed watching him compete that week, but it was much more fun to see him arrive and depart each day. The dogs, horses and goats have never been the same. His golf game may not have been up to his expectations, but his commute was a great success.
“Arnold has had such a profound effect on this great game of golf. He certainly put Western Pennsylvania on the map and we have loved him for it. Farewell, Arnie.” -Carol Semple Thompson
Lee Trevino
“We will always close our eyes and see Arnold, his charismatic style and the impact he had on golf. It didn’t matter if you were white collar, blue collar, or no collar, Arnold Palmer was your man. He was somebody who reached out to you – from the Queen to the commoners. He was the Mother Teresa of golf. He was loved by everybody, and that’s never easy.” -Lee Trevino
