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Tales from the Ranks: Archives

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October 25, 2005

You're my hero

Hello Mr. Palmer,

My name is Mike Medici, and I would like to thank you for being you. You have inspired me to get off my butt and make something of myself. It all started when I first tasted your Arizona Arnold Palmer Lite Half & Half beverage (which in my opinion is the greatest tasting beverage of all time.). My friend introduced me to the drink, and it sparked my interest because of the design of the can, the photographs of you and the look of determination on your face makes me think about how you have lived your dream and how I can live mine too, if I work hard and try. Your life is amazing, your world renown and you are my hero. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart Mr. Palmer, you are a great man.

- Michael Medici

Posted by scurry at 12:13 PM

October 22, 2005

Go Arnie!

Dear Mr. Palmer,

As junior golfers back in the middle 70's, a group of us went to royal montreal golf club to see the Canadian Open, from Malone, NY.

I insisted on following you on the course. On one particular hole (can't remember exactly) you were preparing to hit a tee shot while the gallery, me included, passed underneath on a bridge. I yelled 'GO ARNIE!' and you looked me right in the eye and winked.

I don't think you did very well in that tournament but it was a moment i'll never forget.

I've read your book 'GO FOR BROKE' many times, it has been an inspiration for me. I've lost many balls in the water and in the woods following your philosophy, but also made many eagles and 'hole-out' birdies, going for the hole.

Happy birthday, Mr. Palmer, and I wish you many more. I would like to speak on behalf of so many of your fans - we would like to see you playing more tournaments, no matter how you score. We will always be there.

From a lowly private in Arnie's Army.

Best regards,

Will Waryha
Malone, NY

Posted by scurry at 12:08 PM

October 18, 2005

Kindness and Respect

In 1983 I was able to attend my first official round of golf and it was at the Masters. It was interesting to see how quiet the gallery was when it counted. We walked to the first green to see some of the great players come through. Arnie holed a lengthy putt for par and quickly left the green. As everyone applauded politely, one fan spoke as Arnold passed through the ropes. The fan quitely said "Nice putt Arnold". Arnie looked back and said "Thank you".

It would have been easy to have kept going, deep in concentration for the next hole. It fact most golfers I saw that day did not acknowledge a fan's comments. However, Arnie did.

This is why we love him so. Because he cares about us too.

Posted by scurry at 06:17 PM

Administaff Classic in Houston

Many thanks to Arnold for his appearance and participation in the Champions Tour Administaff Classic in the Houston area this past weekend. I have never enjoyed anything so much as watching Arnie and Lee Trevino play together on both Saturday and Sunday. It was a thrill, a treat, a chance to see a couple of my favorites at the same time. I know it took a great deal of effort, but let Arnie know how much his fans appreciate seeing him still play, whether he shoots 62, 72, or 82. I also enjoyed seeing Arnie putting his arm around his wife ocasionally as he walked from one green to the next tee..........and hearing the ongoing encouragement she provided him.

This was my first and probably my only opportunity to see Arnie up close and personal. I enjoyed a brief visit with him on Friday as he walked from one green to the next tee, before the tournament became quite crowded on Saturday and Sunday. He obviously saw that I was pleased to see and meet him, as he responded like he knew me. It was a lot of fun to follow him for a good bit of the three days of the tournament. I was there to see Arnie play, and he didn't disappoint. Believe it or not, it never occurred to me to go and watch the tournament leaders. As far as I was concerned, I was watching the tourament leader, one of the greatest tournament leaders of all time.

Arnie, thanks again,
Tom Hopkins
Garland, Texas

Posted by scurry at 05:50 PM

October 14, 2005

Extremely memorable moment in my life

Dear Mr. Palmer:

First of all, let me wish you a very happy 76th year. I was fortunate enough to have won our city golf championship in Sioux City, Iowa in 1964 at the age of 17. You were gracious enough to play a golf benefit in our home town that year and little did I know that that would be one of the luckiest days of my life. I had won our city junior championship that year and was so proud to qualify as your caddy in the exhibition. By winning the city championship, I was elevated to the extreme privilege of being able to play with you. I am now 59 years old, looking at our picture on my wall, watching you just make a birdie on TV in this weeks Senior tour event and am so proud that I got to spend a wonderful afternoon which seems so long ago with you.

Needless to say, you have presented me with many, many years of beautiful memories and very cherished pats on the back for having qualified for that beautiful experience. I live in New Mexico now and have even met two people here that I have played golf with that were in that gallery that day back in 1964. It's an unbelievably small world.

Again, Happy Birthday Mr. Palmer and I wish you all the best for a wonderfully pleasurable rest of your life. Thank you so much for the beautiful memories in mine.

Sincerely,

Don Sorensen

Posted by scurry at 05:55 PM

October 01, 2005

A handshake...

Just a simple story. I was at a Senior PGA event in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, when during a rain delay, Mr. Palmer was seated outside the pro shop chatting with some folks. I approached him and told him how much I appreciated what he had done for the game of golf, shook his hand and thanked him. I have always admired his character and the way he treats people. He is a genuine gentleman.

Thank you,

Mark Pennington
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Posted by scurry at 05:59 PM