Arnold Palmer handed me my first Rolling Rock beer in 1979 at Bay Hill.
The old Florida Citrus Open was no more, it was now the Bay Hill Classic on the PGA Tour and Palmer was its host.
He wanted everything to be perfect. Palmer was and is all about doing things the right way and there he was, hanging out with a 29-year-old sports writer from Tampa. Didn’t realize it then but that was a true bucket list moment.
Every golfer’s bucket list should include: Shake hands with Arnold Palmer.
There is no one quite like Palmer to this day. He was and is the “everyman” of celebrities. He is more than a celebrity, he’s an icon, he’s the poster guy for everything that is great about America. He is the great American success story, walking, living and breathing. He’s the blue-collar kid from Latrobe who grew up understanding the value of hard work. He never lost that common touch, even as he prospered to the point where his net worth today pushes about $700 million.
He’s a walking, talking trademark, still one of the most marketable people on the planet.
A lot of that has to do with the way he has conducted himself for the past six decades. He’s never said “no” to anyone who sought or seeks his autograph and it is still one of the most recognized signatures in the world. You can actually read his name. He used to tell young tour players to give fans a legible autograph so that they know who you are.
Best estimate here is that Palmer has signed more than five million autographs, probably more. After tournaments, he would stand by himself, surrounded by fans, but he didn’t leave until the last request was fulfilled. Over the years, he has spent hours in his Latrobe office signing items sent to him by fans from around the world. He often pays the postage to send them back to where they came from.
That’s Arnold Palmer. When he shakes your hand, you will remember it for the rest of your life. He always looks you in the eye and gives you that grin that has been on his face more often than not.
You hear folks call him “Mr. Palmer,” when in fact, if you know him, you know that he prefers “Arnie.” Simple man, a man of the people.
If there’s an award on the planet, he has it. He has more golf clubs stashed away than any human.
He was the first athlete to fly his own airplane and as he prospered, it became a sleek jet. Arnie was an accomplished pilot but has finally given up the controls.
The late Mark McCormack built a sports management empire around one man — Arnold Palmer. Today, International Management Group’s impact is felt all over the world of sports. IMG is everywhere in just about every sport that generates revenue.
Palmer was the first accomplished golfer to become a serious golf course designer and many more would follow his lead.
Palmer is the man who brought television to golf. He’s the man who paved the way for today’s huge money purses. There’s a reason he is still called “The King.”
It was Palmer who started a television channel with 24-hours of golf, seven days a week. Most thought it was a huge risk. Today, The Golf Channel is part of the NBC Sports family.
Queen Elizabeth has ruled the United Kingdom for 63 years. Palmer has ruled golf longer.
Arnie has never stopped being “one of the guys.” He has played in the Saturday morning game at Bay Hill for what seems like forever.
Just one of the guys.
He is The King with the common touch.
He doesn’t like people making a big fuss over him.
He’s still Arnie. He’s the one and only. There will never be another like him.
So when your work is done today, find yourself a cold Rolling Rock.
Pop the top and toast “The King.”
Wish Arnie, along with the rest of us, a happy 86th birthday.
Long Live The King.
