Happy birthday and THANK YOU Arnold Palmer

[stealthhwk]

I am a young thirty three years of age, but Ive had an epiphany late this evening or early this morning, which ever you like. Without Arnold Palmer, my father and I would not likely be golfers. I come from a middle class working family that would never have had access to a country club or an elite sport such as golf. Now, in great thanks to you, my father and I are both golfers and my four year old son appears likely to follow suite.

I cherish this game. Especially for the fact it provides me four uninterrupted hours of spending time with those I love on such a fun place as a golf course. I remember shooting a wonderful score the time my mother went to watch me play for the first time. (At age 32)

I remember long walks down fairway and rough with my father on an old run down course back home. I remember my beautiful wife encouraging me during one of my worst rounds ever to keep at it. And she bore witness to the hole in one that got away when the ball hopped out of the cup somehow. I remember walking the grounds at Colonial with my poor wife in a cast after a terrible skating accident. I told her we shouldnt go. She replied we have free tickets for pro golf and WE'RE GOING!!! I remember taking my four year old boy to the executive course for the first time and watching the joy on his face as he ran the greens golf ball in hand, and high fived me after each putt he made. I remember my wife holding him on her lap as I drove us around the golf course. I have that day emboldened in photos on a coffee cup my wife gave me for a fathers day gift.

If my son should ever turn pro in any sport, theres a great competitor and a great role model in Arnold Palmer for him to follow. Even if he doesnt turn pro, if he treats people the way Arnold Palmer did, well, Id say Id have much to be proud of. 

I doubt he will ever see this post. But either way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mr. Palmer. Thank you for paving the way for a guy like me to have golf!! God bless Arnold Palmer

[shanksalot]

I did not follow golf in my early teens. But come TV showing of golf tournaments I started watching golf. Palmer was starting his great run of excellence in '58 through '64. I started playing golf and continued on simply because of him. He was my favorite then and is still my favorite golfer. He has done for golf in the late 50's through the early 80's not just with his playing but with his love for the game as Tiger did in the late 90's'. I believe Arnie has done more for the game of golf in his lifetime than any golfer in the history of the game. Happy Birthday Arnie, and many, many more.