I don't recall the hole, but Mr. Palmer was in a bit of difficulty and in the rough this particular day of the tournament and, because of trees, had no shot at the green, probably 150 yards away. Believe what I say.....The man had NO shot, except to chip onto the fairway and take his lumps.
But, I was confused, as were other members of the "Army", when Mr. Palmer was taking his time deciding on a club and lining the ball up for what appeared to be a shot straight at the green.
I remember my exact thought at that moment: "What the hell is Arnie doing?" The trees were thick!
Well, what followed is but a tiny part of what has made Arnold Palmer synonomous with the game of golf and the game's premier icon.
I'm not sure I ever knew his club choice, but Mr. Palmer finally settled on a club and set up over the ball as though the trees didn't even exist!
I was standing arms folded directly behind when he took his trademark swing and sent the golf ball airborne.
The ball's flight path took it directly and perfectly through a small opening among the thick, leafy tree limbs and it settled softly onto the green.
Of course, you can imagine the roar from those of us in Arnie's Army.....once we caught our breaths, that is.
We tend to think of great, sharpshooting golfers as hitting targets on the fairways and greens, but how good are any of us at hitting a target in the sky?

John Conley
Bartlesville, Oklahoma