All About Golf

The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer


Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." His sense of fairness, kindness toward everyone, and dry sense of humor have made him one of the most popular golfers to ever play the game. And he was pretty darned good at the game, too!

As a world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer won a majority of his 92 championships on the U.S. PGA tour. The only "major" he never won was the PGA Championship, although he finished second in three of them. Probably most noted for being the first pro to win four Masters Tournaments, it's not surprising to find that he started playing golf at the ripe old age of four. He worked hard at developing his golf game throughout most of his life, and it shows with some of the prestigious awards he's won including: the 1960 Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year, the 1960 Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and even Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s in a national Associated Press poll. The awards culminated in 2004 when President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.

His professional career began in 1954, just a few months after he won the U.S. Amateur Championship. The leading money winner in three of the four years spanning his biggest period from 1960 to 1963, Palmer twice represented the U.S. in the international Ryder Cup Match.

But Palmer never let all that prestige and status go to his head. He unfailingly maintained a dry and subtle sense of humor. After succumbing to bad luck on the 18th hole at the Rancho Park L.A. Open in 1961, a newsman asked how he had managed to make 12 on the par 5 hole. His reply: "I missed my putt for an 11."

Rancho Park became his home golf course for many years. The 20th Century Fox Studios were right across the street, and many times you'd find Hollywood stars mixing with the regular golfing crowd. It's said that after Palmer once played a round with Frank Sinatra - the famed singer rumored to have been involved with the Italian Mafia - Sinatra asked him, "How do you like my game?" Palmer responded with a straight face, "I prefer golf."

Palmer even got along with members of the media, laughing at the statement made by one television commentator who noted during a live broadcast that Palmer "seems to be having trouble with his long putt. However he has no trouble dropping his shorts." That same kindness, understanding and sense of fairness have carried through his life and led to the unofficial creation of Arnie's Army, a dedicated group of fans that has numbered in the thousands.

The honor and unceasing dedication those fans offer Palmer is well-warranted. His philanthropic efforts, while never highly publicized, have earned him recognition with those who count - the people who know him. For two decades, Palmer served as honorary national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has played major roles in fund-raising drives for hospitals in both Orlando, Florida, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the town in which he was born.

Now in semi-permanent retirement, Palmer splits his time between Latrobe and La Quinta, California. He has numerous business interests around the world and still keeps his hand in his first passion, golf, serving as a consultant to The Golf Channel, designing golf courses around the country, and owning several golf courses, including being part owner of the renowned Pebble Beach course in California.

Famed golf pro, down-to-earth father and family man, quiet philanthropist - all can be used to describe Arnold Palmer. His life in golf has mirrored his life in general. Speaking of golf, he once noted, "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." It seems, however, that it has been those who know him that have been the real winners in this game.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders

Golf is a great sport that will not only get and keep you fit, but give you endless hours of pleasure amongst some of the world's most beautiful scenery. Amongst some of the most interesting golf courses are those at Myrtle Beach golf and Charleston golf


MORE RESOURCES:

The Southern Ledger

Golf: Lee makes US Amateur matchplay rounds
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 7 hours ago
By Peter Martinez New Zealand's Danny Lee has advanced to the matchplay rounds of the US Amateur golf championship with an even-par second round at ...
No. 1-ranked amateur Lee looks to finish on top at Pinehurst USA Today
Danny Lee continues strong play at US Amateur The Associated Press
Golf: Lee off to shaky start at US Amateur New Zealand Herald
New Zealand Herald - New Zealand Herald
all 240 news articles


New York Times

The FedEx Cup playoffs make the post-major golf season more ...
ESPN - 12 hours ago
The FedEx Cup and its playoff events might be flawed in some ways, but it is a far better alternative than what golf fans were stuck with in previous years ...
Padraig Harrington a major champ and motivational speaker The Canadian Press
What they said: Rich Beem PGA Tour
Out of the Rough Sports Network
New York Times - ESPN
all 144 news articles


TVNZ

Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins
Reuters.uk, UK - 10 hours ago
"Generally, when I play my best golf I stand over every shot worrying about where I'm going to miss it. "I'd love to be able to be the guy who doesn't see ...
Barclays: PGA champ Harrington isn't confident NJ.com
Padraig Harrington believes Egan has focus to snatch gold Belfast Telegraph
Tuesday's market moves Sky News
Reuters.uk
all 24 news articles


Golf | Craig Stadler, 4 others withdraw from Boeing Classic
Seattle Times, United States - 1 hour ago
A delegation of 13 Champions Tour golfers visited the American Lake Veterans Golf Course Tuesday in Lakewood on the grounds of the VA hospital. ...
Golfers meet with military veterans ahead of Boeing Classic The Olympian
Curtis Strange, big name in Boeing Classic, revisited Seattle Post Intelligencer
all 5 news articles


Rio Secco Golf Club To Host 2008 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge
FOXBusiness - 12 hours ago
For 2008, Rio Secco Golf Club, located in Henderson, Nevada, will host the official pro-am on November 10 and the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge professional ...


New York Times

As playoffs are set to begin, no consensus on Barclays winner - Golf
ESPN - 12 hours ago
Act 1 of 4 is this week at the Barclays with the top 144 players in the FedEx Cup standings in action at a new course -- Ridgewood Country Club. ...
This Week in Golf - August 21st through August 24th Sports Network
Barclays Classic Golf Betting Bet123.net
Local Knowledge: Ridgewood Country Club and The Barclays PGA.com
New York Times - New York Times
all 24 news articles


Sky News

Els backs golf's Olympic bid
Sky News, UK - 10 hours ago
I really hope I'm still around if and when golf is introduced. I know some critics say that the Olympic Games are for amateurs and that golf shouldn't be ...


Weekly This week's golf tournaments
The Canadian Press - 17 hours ago
Course: Kennemer Golf and Country Club (6626 yards, par 70). Purse: $2.65 million. Winner's share: $441900. Last year: England's Ross Fisher won his first ...
Golf beat: Shrinking reservoir parches Whitney Oaks Sacramento Bee
LPGA Tour players return to roll out the Red Carpet The Saginaw News - MLive.com
all 8 news articles


The Money Times

Fillmore takes second-round lead in US Amateur qualifying
USA Today - 7 hours ago
Fillmore, who is a junior at Brigham Young, took time off from golf to go on a Mormon mission to Chile, during which time he never touched a club. ...
U High's English to play in 26-man playoff at US Am Bloomington Pantagraph
Fillmore leads way at US Amateur News & Observer
Fillmore earns medalist honors at US Amateur Sports Network
Richmond Times Dispatch - Charleston Post Courier
all 95 news articles


Canada.com

Seaforth Golf Club hosting Country Classic
Stratford Gazette, Canada - 16 hours ago
SEAFORTH – The Seaforth Golf Club is hosting the “Seaforth Country Classic,” a professional golf tournament on the Canadian Tour, for the next three years. ...
2008 Top 100 Best New Course List SCOREGolf
Vantage point an ace in hole for golf fans Ottawa Citizen
Perspective gained Edmonton Sun
Northwest Cable News - ic Liverpool
all 1,130 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© www.Tons-of-Articles.com 2006