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January 31, 2006
Mr. Palmer and President George Herbert Walker Bush at Bay Hill
If memory serves, in March 1997, my wife and I visited the Bay Hill Club to catch a glimpse of my hero, Mr. Palmer. As we walked toward the front door, I spotted a golf cart with a "Palmer" bag on the driver's side and several loose clubs on the passenger side. My pulse raced. I told my wife that that was Arnie's cart and clubs. She asked how I knew. I told her the oversize Lamkin leather wrapped grips were a dead give away.
We entered the Pro Shop and to my surprise the Assistant Pro behind the counter was Brian Dorn (sp), formerly an Assistant Pro at the Naval Academy Golf Club where I played when I lived in Annapolis. Minutes later, as my wife and I were shopping in the pro shop, I noticed a group of men in black suits spread around the outside of the club and Pro Shop. Mr. Palmer then walked into the Pro Shop and ten steps in trail was former President George Herbert Walker Bush. Mr. Palmer, ever thoughtful, had escorted President Bush into the Pro Shop so that he could introduce his Assistant Professionals to the former President of the United States. Both Mr. Palmer and President Bush spread greetings to all in the Pro Shop and then departed.
Having followed Mr. Palmer at numerous USGA, PGA and Senior Tour events over the years, this struck me as just another example of his thoughtful consideration, directed this time not just to his fans, but to those in his employ.
Posted by scurry at 07:48 PM
January 04, 2006
Memories of a Lifetime
My name is Bill Lucas, probably better known to Mr. Palmer as "The Hat Guy" he met at the pairings drawing dinner. Yes, I was the "redneck" from Kentucky who got caught by "The King" himself wearing my golf hat inside the Bay Hill Club!! Although after being told the rules (no hats) by Mr. Palmer himself, it turned out that I had the opportunity to meet him and share a few unforgettable moments speaking with him about our wonderful experience while at Bay Hill. Not only did I get to meet him, I also had the ultimate golfers dream experience of playing in the '05 Bay Hill Invitational with Brad Faxon. I have to admit that I don't remember much about playing that day due to the fact that I must have looked like a "deer in the headlights" trying to take in every moment. I do recall praying to God that I didn't kill anyone on the first tee thank God!!
The week spent at Bay Hill was made even more special because I got to share it with my best friend, my step-dad Charles Vanover. Just to see the look on his face while I was being announced was a priceless memory, and for him to meet Mr. Palmer was a memory we both will share for the rest of our lives. From my very first plane ride from Ky. to Bay Hill, to the gifts I received, to the lessons at the Palmer Academy, playing on "golf's version of heaven" Bay Hill, sharing a day with Brad Faxon, and getting to see Mr. Palmer himself play, these are memories I will cherish for a lifetime. In fact, I actually have a "mini-shrine" in my golf room that holds all the memento's I received. All of this was made possible by our medical supplies company here in Ky. winning the national promotion put on by Invacare.
Sadly, although we had made plans to bring along my mother and my wife this year, we did not qualify this year to be able to share this "dream" with them again. But with that said, I just wanted to thank Mr. Palmer, and the entire staff at Bay Hill for giving us a memory that most golfers only dream about. I will never forget this and will have this to share one day with my grand-kids, although I'm sure the stories will grow "a little" by then.
Again, thank you for everything, and we hope to see you again.
Thank You Mr. Palmer, you truly are "The King"!
Merry Christmas
Sincerely,
Bill Lucas
"The Hat Guy"
Posted by scurry at 11:59 AM