Tales from the Ranks
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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 January 4, 2006 11:59 AM