This weekend, a magazine will hit the stands with the headline "King of Kings." But it's not about the person you're thinking of. The magazine is Sports Illustrated, and the cover story is about Arnold Palmer, who died last Sunday. Now, I'm not going to compare a golfer to Jesus Christ, but, as the old saying goes, preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. I think we can find some inspiration from the life of Arnold Palmer.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
My Dad was an avid golfer. Many Saturday and Sunday afternoons of my youth were spent with the family gathered around the black and white TV watching golf tournaments. And there was Arnie's Army. The fans sure loved that man! Sort of reminds one of Jesus' followers.
“When people ask what’s driven me all these years, I always give the same answer. It’s you.”
Arnold Palmer and TV were a match made in (yes, I'm going to say it) heaven. He popularized the game and became one of the first sports figures to be a corporate spokesman, which led to a successful business career.
"I'm not much for sitting around and thinking about the past or talking about the past. What does that accomplish? If I can give young people something to think about, like the future, that's a better use of my time."
"Making a positive change in the life of a child is one of the most significant things you can do."
Arnold Palmer was a dedicated philanthropist. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Children are in Orlando, and there are cancer centers that bear his name in Pennsylvania and California.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012, when Senator Harry Reid said, "Golf made you famous, but your tireless efforts to save lives, not your short game, will make you immortal."
Arnold Palmer was known for giving autographs freely and his signature was always legible. He told younger players that if someone takes the time to ask for an autograph, they should take the time to write their names, not scribble their initials. A classmate of mine wrote a lovely remembrance this week and gave me permission to share it:
The year was 1960. An eleven-year old boy, his mom and his best friend headed off for an exciting day of golf spectating. It was the West Virginia Open at Spring Valley Country Club in Huntington, WV. with a first prize of $1,200, and he and his mother and friend were manning one of the volunteer tents supporting the event.
Sam Snead, Art Wall and the charismatic Arnold Palmer were the tournament headliners, and this young boy hoped to at least get a chance to watch them hit a tee shot or two and maybe even get their autographs.
When Snead was approaching the first tee this young golfer attempted to get his autograph and was brushed aside by "Slammin' Sammy" with a comment that has been lost to memory..
Art Wall graciously accepted this young golfer’s request and signed the program that he presented for his autograph.
And then Palmer approached the tee. Although he would end up finishing third in the event, "Arnies Army" was in full attendance as usual admiring and supporting his aggressive, and sometimes erratic, brand of golf.
It needs to be mentioned here that Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournament victories, in four seasons. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.
Yet, when asked for his autograph by this timid 11 year old with his friend by his side, this Master's Champion turned and said "sure kid" and signed his and his buddy’s programs. And then, in true "people’s champion" style, he put his arms around these two idolizing youngsters and posed for a picture with them as if they were his own.
That timid 11 year old was me.
This is the legacy of Arnold Palmer. An incredible golfer, businessman, humanitarian, and most of all a champion who took time to make a couple of young boys’ day! --Fred Nickles
"The more I practice the luckier I get."
Anita Gardner Farrell
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
My Dad was an avid golfer. Many Saturday and Sunday afternoons of my youth were spent with the family gathered around the black and white TV watching golf tournaments. And there was Arnie's Army. The fans sure loved that man! Sort of reminds one of Jesus' followers.
“When people ask what’s driven me all these years, I always give the same answer. It’s you.”
Arnold Palmer and TV were a match made in (yes, I'm going to say it) heaven. He popularized the game and became one of the first sports figures to be a corporate spokesman, which led to a successful business career.
"I'm not much for sitting around and thinking about the past or talking about the past. What does that accomplish? If I can give young people something to think about, like the future, that's a better use of my time."
"Making a positive change in the life of a child is one of the most significant things you can do."
Arnold Palmer was a dedicated philanthropist. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Children are in Orlando, and there are cancer centers that bear his name in Pennsylvania and California.
"Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character."
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012, when Senator Harry Reid said, "Golf made you famous, but your tireless efforts to save lives, not your short game, will make you immortal."
Arnold Palmer was known for giving autographs freely and his signature was always legible. He told younger players that if someone takes the time to ask for an autograph, they should take the time to write their names, not scribble their initials. A classmate of mine wrote a lovely remembrance this week and gave me permission to share it:
The year was 1960. An eleven-year old boy, his mom and his best friend headed off for an exciting day of golf spectating. It was the West Virginia Open at Spring Valley Country Club in Huntington, WV. with a first prize of $1,200, and he and his mother and friend were manning one of the volunteer tents supporting the event.
Sam Snead, Art Wall and the charismatic Arnold Palmer were the tournament headliners, and this young boy hoped to at least get a chance to watch them hit a tee shot or two and maybe even get their autographs.
When Snead was approaching the first tee this young golfer attempted to get his autograph and was brushed aside by "Slammin' Sammy" with a comment that has been lost to memory..
Art Wall graciously accepted this young golfer’s request and signed the program that he presented for his autograph.
And then Palmer approached the tee. Although he would end up finishing third in the event, "Arnies Army" was in full attendance as usual admiring and supporting his aggressive, and sometimes erratic, brand of golf.
It needs to be mentioned here that Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournament victories, in four seasons. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.
Yet, when asked for his autograph by this timid 11 year old with his friend by his side, this Master's Champion turned and said "sure kid" and signed his and his buddy’s programs. And then, in true "people’s champion" style, he put his arms around these two idolizing youngsters and posed for a picture with them as if they were his own.
That timid 11 year old was me.
This is the legacy of Arnold Palmer. An incredible golfer, businessman, humanitarian, and most of all a champion who took time to make a couple of young boys’ day! --Fred Nickles
"The more I practice the luckier I get."
Anita Gardner Farrell
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