A cool story about Arnold Palmer

[watty]

I recently played golf with an old doctor in central Texas. He told me a great story about Arnold Palmer. When this doctor was a senior in high school in 1962 (IIRC), he was a huge Palmer fan. So, he sent him an invitation to his high school graduation. Mr. Palmer wrote back, apologizing for the fact that he wouldn't be able to attend but wished the future doctor good luck and also autographed the invitation.

So, flash forward to 2009, this doctor was a member of a country club that was I guess owned by Palmer's group or something, and he attended a big banquet type thing and Palmer was there. Turns out, they were actually seated at the same table.

The doctor had brought the old high school invitation, and showed it to Mr. Palmer. He looked it over, read it, and being a sentimental man, his eyes welled up a little bit. He then joked to one of his people, "this guy's been with me longer than you have!" He thanked the doctor and signed the invitation again, so now this guy has a pretty awesome piece of memorabilia. A high school invitation with dual autographs from Arnold Palmer, 47 years apart.

That's the kind of thing that probably just wouldn't happen anymore.

[dbuck]

cool story!