Posted on 10/13/2006 3:24:17 PM PDT by commish
SPRING, Texas (AP) - Arnold Palmer tearfully said it was time to stop playing competitive golf after withdrawing from a PGA Champions Tour event early in the first round.
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Palmer was making only his second appearance on the 50-and-over tour this season in the Administaff Small Business Classic. He remained with the group after withdrawing to entertain the gallery following him at Augusta Pines Golf Course.
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Palmer said he finished the round because he owed it to his fans.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
Even though he has not be "competitive" for many years, Arnold was still one of the biggest draws on the Champion's Tour, and he always had times for the fans.
I think it was classy of him to finish his round even though he had already announced he was withdrawing. Hopefully he will accept the Honorary Starter position at The Masters.
Saw him thirty years ago at the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. What a gentleman! Always time for a picture. Always had a smile. Always time to be nice to people. Class all the way.
Best wishes to Arnie but he's really been through with competitive golf a long time ago. Playing golf means never having to really retire like, say, an NFL player does.
He can be the game's new Byron Nelson.
I thought he stopped playing a few years ago.
Thanks for the memories Mr.Palmer.
He basically did. HE has had multiple "Retirements" as he announced that he was playing in his last Master's Tournament, last U.S. Open, last British Open, etc.
The last few years he has played in only a handful of tournaments and this was only his second start this year.
I am hoping that Arnold, Jack and Gary Player join together as the new Honorary Starter Threesome at Augusta.
Ok everyone - ready for a little reality check...??
The real man - vs. - the media created image.
1986 - The Bob Hope Desert Classic
I was a young lunck businessman - able to pay my $10k to get into the Pro-Am. Here is what I say - and it changed my perspective on Arnold Palmer - and it depresses my to this day.
After round one; My pro was Lawrence Tayler (NY Giants). Afer the round we went to the bar - many were there - including Arnold Palmer - married to Winnie - remember her?
Her is the short of it.
I witnessed:
Arnold Palmer with two women on his arm.
Drinking like there was no tomorrow.
Hug and kisses for at least two hours (did he not see us civilians?)
Finally - off he strode with his two little chickees on this arms...
"Biggest hor in golf" I was told.
That's the real Arnold Palmer I saw.
Great man - Gream Golfer - don't get the two confused.
I man and a legend made and protected for many years.
The man is no role model - trust me - I saw it up close.
Sorry for my spelling and grammar - I am livid at this man being paid hommage.
Two hole in ones in a day keeps a man young.
What's your handicap?
Lot of the old school were drunks and worse. I like the game, but the pros leave something to be desired.
He appreciated those who came to see him,a wink,a smile,never leaving 'till the last autograph was signed.
Thank you Arnie,See you at the Masters.
Mine?
4 - and, I am working my way toward 6 in a hurry.
Try to get over it.
****
"It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get."
"Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented."
"Putting is like wisdom - partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience."
"I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone's golf game: it's called an eraser." (LOL)
"What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive."
****
Old buddy Bob Drum/Arnie back at the ‘59 Masters:
Bob Drum was in a particularly good mood that night, the night before the final round in '59. Arnold D. Palmer, the defending champion, was tied for the 54-hole lead. Drum was saying that Arnold would easily win his second straight Masters the next day, and would probably win six green jackets in a row. "He's not trying to drive the ball through as many tree trunks," Drum said.
LOL
That would be great ......... but Gary still wants to play the Masters, and doesn't do too badly. He's in better shape than some 30 year olds.
;-)
Can he be an Honorary Starter and play also?
That would be fine with me.
“If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death.”
"There is an old saying: If a man comes home with sand in his cuffs and cockleburs in his pants, don't ask him what he shot."
"The only reason I played golf was so that I could afford to go hunting and fishing."
"Practice puts brains in your muscles."
"These greens are so fast I have to hold my putter over the ball and hit it with the shadow."
"The fairways were so narrow you had to walk down them single file."
"The three things I fear most in golf are lightning, Ben Hogan and a downhill putt."
Slammin' Sammy Snead
****
Another incredibly great one!!!
There are those who cheat and those who don't. And it's all sports, not just golf.
"Class all the way."
Personified! Saw him 40 years ago at the Westchester Classic and despite a horrific round in bad weather he was 'Class all the way'. And he was always pure class, on or off the golf course.
We'll miss you Arnie, thanks for the inspiration and great show!
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