"We approached Arnold to serve in this capacity because we wanted to honor his lifelong commitment to
the game of golf and his connection to western Pennsylvania, Oakmont Country Club and the United
States Golf Association," said Carol Semple Thompson, general chairman of the 2010 U.S. Women's
Open and World Golf Hall of Fame member.
By serving as honorary chairman, Palmer will assist in the promotion of the championship by appearing
in a ticket sales advertising campaign. He will appear at an exhibition during the week of the
championship to welcome the crowds back to Oakmont.
Palmer, a Latrobe, Pa., native, competed in four U.S. Opens at Oakmont Country Club including his final
Open appearance in 1994. Palmer's most memorable performance at Oakmont came in 1962, when he
lost to Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff.
"It is an honor to serve as honorary chairman for the U.S. Women's Open and the USGA," said Palmer,
who added with a chuckle, "It will be fun to participate in a championship that I could never win."
Deacon Palmer, Arnold's father, was the head professional and greens keeper at Latrobe Country Club
and introduced him to the game a very young age. Arnold was awarded a golf scholarship from Wake
Forest University but left to serve his country as part of the United States Coast Guard. After a three-year
break from the game, Palmer returned to competitive golf and won the 1954 U.S. Amateur
Championship.
Shortly thereafter, Palmer began playing golf professionally and has recorded an impressive 92 wins
during his lengthy career, including one U.S. Open Championship, one U.S. Senior Open Championship
and four victories at The Masters Tournament.
For additional information on the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, please visit www.2010uswomensopen.com.
Championship tickets are now on sale and limited volunteer positions are still available.
About the 2010 U.S. Women's Open
The 2010 U.S. Women's Open will bring a field of 156 of the world's best professional and amateur
women golfers to Oakmont Country Club. It will be the second time the Women's Open will be contested
at Oakmont. Patty Sheehan won the 1992 championship in a playoff over Juli Inkster after finishing at 4-
under-par for 72 holes of regulation play.
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that
includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses.
The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships,
including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national
championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's
Amateur.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance
consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and
administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $65
million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged
backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
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Contact:
Lindsay Weber – 2010 U.S. Women's Open – lweber@2010uswomensopen.com - (412) 828-2010
Tom Wallace – Oakmont Country Club – twallace@oakmont-countryclub.org – (412) 828-8000