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September 19, 2011
Wake Forest to name golf complex after Palmer
Courtesy of Winston-Salem Journal - By: John Dell
As far as some are concerned, Wake Forest can never do enough to honor Arnold Palmer, the legendary golfer who always has a kind word for his school and who always is willing to help it raise money.
Palmer, who turned 82 this month, will be honored again next month when the Wake Forest practice facility takes his name. Palmer designed the state-of-art complex as a gift to the school, and it opened early last year to rave reviews.
Parts of the facility are still named for coaches Jesse Haddock and Dianne Dailey, but the entire complex will be named for Palmer.
Athletics director Ron Wellman said: "The name of Arnold Palmer and Wake Forest golf are synonymous. He was the person who started the great golf tradition at Wake Forest. Naming the facility that he designed the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex is the perfect way to honor him and all that he has done for our golf program, athletic department and university."
Palmer attended old Wake Forest in the late 1940s and early 1950s and was the first ACC individual champion, winning the 1954 title at Old Town Club. He also is a former member of the school's board of trustees.
The golf complex will be named for Palmer the weekend of Oct. 15 — homecoming weekend at the school. Also, there are still spots available in the Oct. 17 Wake Forest Pro-Am at Old Town. The entry fee is $2,500, and includes two tickets to the Saturday football game against Virginia Tech, a clinic with putting guru Stan Utley, two tickets to a Sunday night reception to honor Palmer and the Monday pro-am.
The Sunday reception also is open to the public, at a cost of $250 a ticket. All proceeds from the reception and pro-am will go to the men's and women's golf programs.
Palmer, who will arrive in town Oct. 16, said through his spokesman, Doc Giffin, that he is excited about coming back to Wake Forest. He was here in 2009, and had the honor of opening the gate before the Maryland-Wake Forest football game at BB&T Field.
"It's going to be great to get back to Wake Forest for the pro-am," said Palmer, who will be involved in the tournament in some capacity. "I always have enjoyed participating in the past, and I'm glad that the pro-am is back this year. It means a lot to the golf programs and the university."
Several current and past PGA Tour stars who played at Wake Forest are scheduled to play in the pro-am, including Bill Haas and Webb Simpson and Champions Tour regulars Jay Haas, Jay Sigel and Gary Hallberg. Kyle Reifers, who is on the Nationwide Tour this season but will be back on the PGA Tour in 2012, also is expected to play, as is television analyst Billy Andrade.
John Buczek, the director of instruction at the facility and a former Deacons golfer under Haddock, said he likes the idea of naming the entire facility for Palmer.
"I think it's great," Buczek said. "He's kind of like the godfather of the Wake program so hearing that is good news for everybody who is a Wake Forest fan or alumni."
Anyone interested in more information on the pro-am can call 758-5626 or visit www.deaconclub.com.
Posted by scurry at 10:13 AM
September 09, 2011
Arnold Palmer on Golf Channel Morning Drive
LATROBE, PA - On the eve of his birthday, Arnold Palmer joins Golf Channel's Morning Drive for a quick chat on his birthday plans. Palmer discusses some of his favorite memories such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower surprising him on his birthday, meeting Roger Maris when he won the prestigious Hickok Belt and playing golf with other greats.
You can listen to the 11:28 interview on GolfChannel.com
Posted by scurry at 02:37 PM
September 06, 2011
Arnie clothing line as classic, timeless as the man himself
Courtesy of GolfChannel.com - By Win McMurry
LAS VEGAS – As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off this week in New York City, it’s perfect timing to pay homage to one of the golf world’s greatest style icons.
Arnold Palmer is certainly one of the coolest and winningest athletes of all time, capturing seven major championships and 92 professional titles, but he also knows how to dress, and has accolades to back that up. In 2010 Palmer was profiled in Esquire’s “The 75 Best Dressed Men of All Time” and is often referenced for the model golf course dress.
Thanks to a team of designers and visionaries, Arnold’s classic, clean and cool style has been recreated and consolidated into a new line, aptly named Arnie, directly inspired by the looks worn by Palmer during the peak decades of his playing career.
Geoff Tait and Bobby Pasternak, who founded Quagmire in 2005 after meeting on a golf trip, are the masterminds behind the new line, which, above all collections shown at this year’s PGA Expo, was the most unique and impactful.
In fact, in a PGA show that seemed to revolve around the “old school” throwback theme, Arnie, hits right on trend.
Tait and Pasternak worked closely with Palmer to ensure that the looks were authentic. They literally thumbed through Palmer’s closet in Latrobe, Pa., as they developed the line in addition to combing through Palmer’s library of photographs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
“It was a true honor when we received the phone call from Mr. Palmer’s camp asking if we’d be interested in discussing a new Arnie apparel collection,” said Tait, the creative director. “Having worked tremendously hard the past six years to perfect the Quagmire Golf brand’s service, quality, and distribution, we felt more than confident to take on such a wonderful venture.”
The 2012 Arnie line is comprised of four collections: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and Timeless. Each features “Palmer Performance” pieces that use technical fabrics to keep cool, dry, and comfortable. In addition, practically exact replicas of some of Palmer’s signature styles are included in the line. One shirt in each collection features the Arnold Palmer silhouette to distinguish these pieces as Palmer originals.
“The Arnie line of apparel represents the styles of clothing that are as popular today as they were in the earlier part of my career,” Palmer said. “It’s been a real thrill to see some of my signature pieces come back to life, and experience the enthusiasm Geoff and Bobby have for introducing them to the next generation.”
But this line is not just for the young. It appeals to all ages, just like Arnie himself does, and has, for generations.
Posted by scurry at 06:43 PM