Arnold Palmer News: Archives

NINE OF WORLD'S TOP 15 PLAYERS ARE ENTERED

March 17, 2013

Tiger Woods among nine past Bay Hill champions in Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard

Only once in the past 12 years has there been a stronger field in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard than the 132 players who will tee off March 18-24 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

According to the Official World Golf Ranking, there will be nine of the top 15 players in the world and 21 of the top 30 players in the world for this, the 35th annual PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill. In just one year since 2000 have more highly-ranked players entered, and that year, 2007, featured 12 of the top 15 players and 22 of the top 30.

Defending and seven-time champion Tiger Woods heads the list, ranked No. 2 in the world. Also entered are No. 4 Brandt Snedeker, the 2012 FedExCup champion, No. 5 Justin Rose, No. 10 Phil Mickelson, No. 11 Lee Westwood, No. 12 Ian Poulter, No. 13 Bubba Watson, No. 14 Keegan Bradley and No. 15 Graeme McDowell.

Watson, the reigning champion of The Masters Tournament, is joined by two other 2012 major championship winners, U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, ranked No. 19 in the world, and world No. 24 Ernie Els, winner of The Open Championship.

In addition to Woods and Els, a two-time winner at Bay Hill, the field includes these seven other past champions of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard - Mickelson, Robert Gamez, Tim Herron, Chad Campbell, Rod Pampling, Vijay Singh and Martin Laird. The leaders of the 2012 PGA TOUR money list are well-represented with 11 of the top 13 money winners and 42 of the top 50. There are 38 of the top 50 leaders of the 2012 FedExCup competition.

If Woods were to add one more victory at Bay Hill, he would tie Sam Snead with the most wins in a PGA TOUR event. Snead won the Greensboro tournament, now called the Wyndham Championship, eight times from 1938 to 1965.

Last year's Bay Hill win marked Woods's 72nd PGA TOUR title, and he has since added four more as he moved past Jack Nicklaus into second place on the all-time victory list behind Snead's 82 wins. He has had two victories this year in the Farmers Insurance Open and WGC Cadillac Championship.

The field now includes 128 players with four more players from the Web.com Tour to be added on Monday.

Posted by scurry at 10:11 AM

'OUR GOAL IS TO JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER'

February 05, 2013

Arnold Palmer is always looking for ways to make the tournament that bears his name a major golfing event

Say this about Arnold Palmer: when it comes to golf, whether he's playing it or contributing to it in some other fashion, he never takes his eye off the ball.

The legendary golfer and seven-time major championship winner doesn't play as much as he used to, but he's still active in the game in many ways, but, of course, no more so than in hosting the PGA TOUR tournament that bears his name. As the 35th edition of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard approaches, Palmer has a laser focus on making sure that every detail is scrutinized so that when the game's best players arrive, they'll encounter an environment conducive to producing a first-class golf competition at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

The man known in and out of golf circles as "The King" can't wait to see what unfolds on his Championship Course, which he proudly says is "the best it's ever been.

"And I don't say that lightly, either. The golf course is in terrific shape coming out of the winter," Palmer, now 83 years old, adds with a smile that has warmed the hearts of millions of fans - known as Arnie's Army" - for decades. "We changed it two years ago. Those changes were good for the golf course, good for the competition, and we continue to assess those changes. By and large the players like what we have done, and if we continue to give them great conditions, then we think we have set the table for a great tournament.

"Our goal is to just keep getting better and better."

The 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is scheduled for March 18-24, and in addition to a finely tuned golf course, there are other matters worthy of note - such as a purse of $6.2 million, an increase from $6 million in 2012. Also greeting players this year is a refurbished and renovated locker room that is more spacious and inviting.

One more addition is a larger field, at least for this year. The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will welcome 132 players, an increase of 12 participants. That means greater overall competition on the course and more entertainment for fans with more golfers to watch.

Most eyes will likely be on Tiger Woods. The No. 2 player in the world, Woods is the defending champion after winning his seventh professional title on the Championship Course last March. He's won eight times overall at Bay Hill with the inclusion of the 1991 USGA Junior Amateur crown.

"Tiger... heck, he'll probably win again. He likes the golf course, obviously," Palmer said, chuckling. "He has played it so well over the years. He seems encouraged by coming here, and he accepts the challenges that the course presents. It's a shot-maker's course, and Tiger can hit shots. We've all seen that. He does a lot of good things when he comes here."

Palmer points out that Woods won even though the golf course has been changed. One of the most significant alterations has been the installation of runoffs leading from the edges of the greens, giving the Championship Course more of a look and a feel of the challenge associated with Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. For that reason, among others, many top players elect to compete at Bay Hill and get their games ready for the year's first major championship.

"Thanks to the subtle changes we made to the greens, we can do a few more interesting things to challenge the guys," Palmer said. "We can do quite a bit with the holes and the runoffs, and bringing in a bit more risk and reward, which adds a little excitement.

"We like to think what makes it attractive for the guys to come here is the kind of test they get, particularly on the second shots. They have to really come here with a good iron game if they want to challenge those pins, otherwise, they're going to get some short-game practice, which of course never hurts them in preparing for Augusta. They also have to choose how they play their short shots, whether putting it or some different kinds of chips or pitch shots.

"We like to stress that we want the golf course to be the best it can be as far as quality of its conditioning," Palmer added. "We don't strive to make it purposefully difficult. It's plenty difficult all on its own, and that's
if you're hitting good golf shots. If you're not playing well, then you're going to struggle. We think that's the indication of a fair golf course."

Palmer said he is especially eager for this year's tournament, given that he missed the last few minutes of the 2012 edition when he had to leave the golf course before Woods sank the winning putt because of a health scare that led to his being hospitalized overnight. It was a precautionary measure after his blood pressure spiked a bit, but he was back behind his desk the following day and has been in good health.

"Well, naturally, I'm excited, and it was a disappointment to not be on hand for the finish last year. It's always a thrill, whoever the winner is, to be there to congratulate him. So I suppose I have a bit more anticipation for this year," Palmer said. "But, overall, my attitude isn't really much different than any other year. I think about this tournament all year, and it's something I always look forward to. It's important for the community, and it's important for the hospital and our other charities. It's a year-round thing that I'm pleased to say is doing quite well. That brings me a lot of satisfaction."

Posted by scurry at 11:28 AM

PALMER RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

September 12, 2012

Golf Legend Becomes Sixth Athlete To Earn Highest Civilian Honor

Courtesy of USGA.org - By Ron Driscoll, USGA

Arnold Palmer has been described in many ways over his legendary career in golf: charismatic, determined, generous, accessible, successful, a man of the people. His accomplishments inside and outside the game have earned him countless honors, and on Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C., he became just the sixth sportsman to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Golf legend Arnold Palmer (second from left) receives the Congressional Gold Medal from House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio (left), himself a passionate golfer, on Wednesday during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington. At far right is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is second from right. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Palmer received the medal in a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, nearly three years after Congress voted to award it to him; President Barack Obama signed the act into law on Sept. 30, 2009, shortly after Palmer’s 80th birthday. The award dates to the American Revolution (General George Washington was the first recipient), and upon approval, the U.S. Mint crafts each medal to recognize the achievements of the honoree. The front of Palmer’s medal includes his name and shows him in his follow-through, while the reverse recognizes Palmer’s 92 professional victories and seven major championships.

“I am very humbled,” said Palmer upon receiving his medal in an hour-long ceremony that was attended by his longtime friendly rival in both golf and business, Jack Nicklaus.

Another word that could be used to describe Palmer: unifying. If there is one thing both Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it is recognition of Palmer. The bill to award the medal to Palmer passed 422–1 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. In addition, chief executives from both parties have honored Palmer: The three-time USGA champion received the National Sports Award from President Bill Clinton in 1993, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2004.

In a display of bipartisan support, the Congressional leadership of both parties was on hand for Wednesday’s presentation: Speaker of the House John Boehner of Ohio and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, both Republicans; and Senator Harry Reid of Nevada and Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, both Democrats.

“I’m particularly proud of anything the House and the Senate agree on,” Palmer joked.

The five athletes who previously received the Congressional Gold Medal are baseball players Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson, track and field standout Jesse Owens, boxer Joe Louis and 1939 U.S. Open champion Byron Nelson, who received the honor posthumously in 2006. Robinson and Louis were both featured earlier this year by the USGA Museum in its exhibit, “American Champions and Barrier Breakers,” which documents their efforts to make golf – as well as their more celebrated sports – more inclusive.

As Palmer noted in Wednesday’s ceremony, “I like to think and truly believe golf and golfers promote human values.”

The Congressional Gold Medal historically recognizes those “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.”

Even as Palmer turns 83 (on Sept. 10), his accomplishments and impact on golf are ongoing. His long relationship with the USGA includes three championships (1954 U.S. Amateur, 1960 U.S. Open, 1981 U.S. Senior Open) and the 1971 Bob Jones Award, the Association’s highest honor. Palmer has also been the honorary chairman of the USGA Members Program since its inception in 1975.

Another word that could be used to describe Palmer: prescient. In 2005, the USGA announced that upon completion of a major expansion project, it would call its museum the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History and include a permanent exhibit containing artifacts from Palmer’s life and career. Palmer was asked at the accompanying news conference whether the museum honor put him “one up” on Nicklaus, against whom he has competed on the course, in the course design field and in numerous business ventures over decades.

Palmer laughed, then replied, “Well, Jack’s 10 years younger than I am and in 10 years they’ll do another room here for Jack, and they should. That’s the way it’s been all these years, these last 40 years. I precede him but he’s close behind.”

Earlier this year, the USGA announced that it would break ground on a Jack Nicklaus Room in its Far Hills museum, with a scheduled completion date of 2015, exactly 10 years on from Palmer’s prediction. In April, the House of Representatives took the first step in awarding Nicklaus the Congressional Gold Medal by passing a bill supporting the measure.

Another word that could be used to describe Palmer: grace. The late actor Jack Lemmon once told a friend that “The King” has that elusive quality. “Think about what that word means to you,” Lemmon said. “I’ll bet you can’t say that about five friends you have.”

Ron Driscoll is the manager of editorial services for the USGA. Email him at rdriscoll@usga.org.

The U.S. Mint has bronze 1.5 inch and 3 inch replicas available for purchase. Call 1-800-USA-MINT (1-800-872-6468)

Posted by scurry at 06:18 PM

Arnold Palmer Confirms Participation in PNC Father/Son Challenge This Fall

September 06, 2012

ORLANDO, FL - Tickets for the return of the popular PNC Father/Son Challenge, a tournament that for 14 years saw many legends of golf team up with their sons, grandsons and daughters in this unique, family-oriented championship event, went on sale to the public today. At the same time, ‘The King’, Arnold Palmer, and Davis Love III, captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team competing later this month, announced that they will participate in the event taking place December 13-16 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes in Florida.

Fans are able to purchase tickets, priced at $15 per day or $45 for a full week tournament pass, online by visiting www.pncfathersonchallenge.com or by calling 407-876-7004.

“The many players I have spoken to are all thrilled with the return of the PNC Father/Son Challenge, and are also grateful to PNC for their support as new title sponsor, allowing this great event to continue” said Palmer. “The Father/Son Challenge has always allowed us to share our passion for the game of golf with those who we love the most, and I’m looking forward to being able to participate again. This year’s PNC Father/Son Challenge promises to be even more special with a new year, new players to be announced soon, and an exciting new host course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes.”

To qualify for the PNC Father/Son Challenge, participants must have won either a major championship or Players Championship in their career. The professional’s partner must not have held a Tour card at any point, and while the majority of partners in the history of the event have been the sons of the golf legends, the family-themed tournament has seen a daughter, grandson, and even close family friends participate over the years. The 18-team field competes in a scramble format over 36 holes for the $1 Million prize purse and the Willie Park trophy, named after Willie Park, and his son Willie Park Jr., who combined to win the British Open five times.

“The PNC Father/Son Challenge perfectly reflects the values and focus on relationships that are so important to PNC as a company, and we look forward to celebrating the event’s return with the partners and many fans in just a few months,” said James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which was announced as new title sponsor of the PNC Father/Son Challenge in March. “The chance to see many of the best golfers in the game will be special for everyone, but we are equally as excited about the opportunity to leave an important legacy by assisting the Arnold Palmer Hospitals for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.”

A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Arnold Palmer Hospitals for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando. The event will again be broadcast on NBC.

About PNC
PNC Bank, N.A., is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news, updates and announcements from PNC.

About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com.

About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Network, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks), and their respective digital properties. Together, the assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, IndyCar, and many more.

About Grande Lakes Orlando
Grande Lakes Orlando is a unique 500-acre resort with a luxury 582-room Ritz-Carlton and deluxe 1,000-room JW Marriott hotel. The resort offers the culinary mastery of award-winning chefs Norman Van Aken at The Ritz-Carlton and Melissa Kelly at the JW Marriott as well as new total-wellness inspired treatment programs at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Golf Digest Schools’ golf instruction at the 18-hole Greg Norman championship golf course. Reflecting the resort's natural surroundings, the Grande Lakes Outfitters program includes kayak and canoe eco-tours, an on-site fly-fishing school, guided bird watching tours and nature hikes. The estate is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks. For more information visit www.grandelakes.com

Posted by scurry at 01:14 PM

Arnold Palmer to Receive Congressional Gold Medal

August 27, 2012

Arnold Palmer will receive the Congressional Gold Medal at a special ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12. The PGA TOUR will host a luncheon at the nearby Cannon House Office Building following the one-hour program.

John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will welcome the gathering and join Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Senators Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid in the presentation of the medal to Palmer. Jack Nicklaus and Country Music Star Vince Gill along with two Republican and two Democratic members of the Senate and House also will take part in the ceremony.

The Congressional Gold Medal is, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Palmer received in 2004, the highest civilian award in the United States. It dates back to the American Revolution. Each medal is created by the U.S. Mint individually to honor the individual and achievements for which the medal is awarded.

Sponsorship by two-thirds of the membership of the Senate and House is required before the bill goes to committee. The Gold Medal legislation for the Palmer medal was enacted and signed by President Barack Obama in 2009.

Posted by scurry at 04:15 PM

Palmer at the 3M Championship

July 28, 2012

Blaine, MN – Golf legend Arnold Palmer will be attending the 3M Championship at the TPC Twin Cities – an Arnold Palmer designed course – and playing in the annual Greats of Golf Challenge Saturday, August 4th and Sunday, August 5th.

The 2012 Greats of Golf Challenge presented by Post-It® Brand Products players include the legendary Arnold Palmer, Miller Barber, Billy Casper, Jim Colbert, Charles Coody, Al Geiberger, Hubert Green, David Graham, Don January, Gene Littler, Bill Rogers, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Dave Stockton and Lee Trevino.

Competitors in the Greats of Golf Challenge are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, have 20 or more career victories on the PGA and Champions Tours or are former major championship winners.

The legends will be on hand for various activities on Saturday and Sunday. Each day will feature the legends competing in a team format. The legends will be available each day to sign autographs in the 3M Championship Expo Tent.

The 3M Championship offers free admission, parking and shuttles to the public. Please visit the official website for more information.

Posted by scurry at 12:44 PM

Palmer competes in exhibition at The Insperity Championship

May 04, 2012

Patrons of The Insperity Championship will have an opportunity to see Arnold Palmer play with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino compete in a special competition Saturday afternoon of tournament week at The Woodlands Tournament Course.

The tournament has created a Greats of Golf competition that will also include Don January, Miller Barber, Gene Littler, David Graham and Dave Stockton.

On Saturday, May 5, this powerful and entertaining group of the game's greatest players will tee off following the last tee time of the official competition. These nine players will play in threesomes and will play an 18-hole scramble format.

"We wanted to do something special for the fans this year and when these gentlemen agreed to participate in this relaxed but competitive format we were ecstatic and so were the players," said Executive Director Bryan Naugle. "This is an incredible opportunity that perhaps will never be matched again."

This group includes five World Golf Hall of Fame members, has a combined total of 256 PGA TOUR victories, 46 major championship titles and 141 Champions Tour wins.

The Insperity Championship offers FREE grounds only admission tickets courtesy of Insperity, The Woodlands Development Company, Woodforest National Bank and HP. The grounds ticket also includes free parking and shuttle service.

For updated information on all aspects of the Insperity Championship, fans are encouraged to visit www.insperitychampionship.com.

Posted by scurry at 12:28 PM

ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD CHAMPIONS CHILDREN'S HEALTH WITH EVERY NEW FACEBOOK FAN

February 20, 2012

ORLANDO, FL. - Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, one of very few "invite only" tournaments on the PGA TOUR, has made it even easier to help children in need of care at Arnold Palmer Medical Center. For every new fan who 'likes' the tournament Facebook page (facebook.com/arnoldpalmerinvitational) from now through March 25, 2012, MasterCard will generously donate $10, up to $200,000 to help children being cared for at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

"The tournament is pleased to have another opportunity to help the kids that the hospitals serve," said Scott Welllington, Tournament Director. "Facebook is a terrific way to keep our fans informed and now it allows fans to make a difference in the lives of kids at Arnold Palmer Medical Center - the Hospital that Golf Built."

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, collectively known as Arnold Palmer Medical Center, received the PGA TOUR Charity of the Year Award in 2009. Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has been ranked 30th for heart and heart surgery and 28th for orthopedics in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals.

"As a long standing sponsor of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, we are honored to be able to help drive awareness and support for these tremendous hospitals that are bringing much-needed medical care to thousands of children," said Chris McWilton, President, U.S. Markets, MasterCard Worldwide.

To be connected to the hospital that golf built, simply log on to www.facebook.com/arnoldpalmerinvitational and 'like' the official tournament page. For every new fan who 'likes' the Facebook page, $10 will be donated by MasterCard Worldwide to Arnold Palmer Medical Center, up to $200,000. Tickets to the 34th Annual Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard can be purchased online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, by phone at 866-764-4843 or 407-876- 7774, or in person at the Ticket Office at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Visit ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com for additional information on tickets and the 2012 tournament.

About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will hold its 34th annual tournament March 19-25, 2012. The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is one of Central Florida's signature events, a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf. The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game's all-time greats — Arnold Palmer. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Arnold Palmer Medical Center, including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

About Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, is a 158-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of children. Located in Orlando, Arnold Palmer Hospital provides expertise in pediatric specialties such as cardiac care, craniomaxillofacial surgery, emergency and trauma care, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pulmonology and sports medicine. Visit www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com to learn more about all of our specialties.

About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews, join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog and subscribe for the latest news.

Posted by scurry at 10:12 AM

HOSTING PGA TOUR EVENT NEVER GETS OLD FOR GOLF LEGEND ARNOLD PALMER

February 08, 2012

The man known in golf circles as "The King" eager as ever for next edition of the tournament that bears his name

Having won seven major championships and competed in more than 150 in his illustrious career, Arnold Palmer certainly knows enough about what goes into making a golf tournament special. Palmer would never be so bold as to claim that the tournament that bears his name, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, is a major championship. But that doesn't mean that the golf legend known as "The King" doesn't strive to make his annual PGA TOUR event at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge as good as it can be, with a world-class golf course to challenge the game's best players and as many nice touches as possible to make both competitors and fans feel welcome.

"I like to think that at the end of the day there isn't something we've overlooked to make this tournament as good as it can be," Palmer, 82, says of his event that is in its 34th year on Bay Hill's Championship Course. "What really sets a major apart from other tournaments is history and the prestige of the title, and we know the four events that mean the most in that regard. My goal for this tournament is to have a well-run, exciting and fun tournament that players hopefully want to come back to and keep playing. I want to see lots of fans, and good media support, and of course the participation of our sponsors is just tremendous, so you put it all together and it's great to see the game and our charities benefit.

"I think about this tournament all year, and it's something I get excited about every year, because every year is different and brings something new."

The 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is scheduled for March 19-25 with Scotland's Martin Laird the defending champion. The purse in the final event in the PGA TOUR's Florida swing is $6 million.

If there is one thing that Palmer does try to emulate it's striving to get the Championship Course at Bay Hill in major championship condition.

"That's the thing that we look at more than any other, is to have our golf course be a major championship quality in its condition and its challenge," Palmer says. "We don't really strive to make it particularly difficult, because the course itself, to a degree, is naturally that way by its design. We want it to be a good test, a fair test. We have a good golf course, and we want to make it playable but also ask the players to hit some good golf shots. Our greens tend to be on the faster side and very firm, which is something that we now have the opportunity to do since we upgraded our greens. But what we've found over the years is that these players can score when hitting the proper shots and that's all we're asking them to do."

Palmer admits that if there is one major championship that has most influenced him in his approach to hosting the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, it would have to be the Masters Tournament, which he won four times (1958-60-62-64).

"I think when you look at the Masters, what you think of is something that is of high quality and consistent," he says. "Year to year you can look at what goes on at Augusta National Golf Club and you know what you're going to get. That's what we've always tried to do, and we think we're in a better position to deliver on that since we changed the golf course and made some improvements on our greens."

Consistency just happens to be a hallmark of Palmer's life. He has been a steadfast supporter not only of the game of golf, but also of the charity component that golf can champion. And, of course, that has meant primarily his devotion to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando.

But much of what Palmer does on behalf of the hospital in terms of charitable donations is generated through a successful tournament. And foremost in the conducting of the tournament is the Bay Hill course, which underwent a major renovation in 2010. Reaction among the players to those improvements was gratifying to the tournament host.

"The changes have been fantastic, and most of the comments have been good, very complimentary, and that's something we have worked hard on," Palmer says. "And the golf course condition throughout the winter has been about the best ever. If the weather cooperates throughout February and into the weeks leading up to the tournament, the players are going to find the golf course in fantastic shape."

Palmer adds that although he doesn't play Bay Hill as often as he once did - he still plays once or twice a week, though - his enthusiasm for the game and accompanying activities hasn't waned.

"I feel fortunate to still be able to do the things that I'm doing, and one of the most important is the work with the hospital," he says. "And the same goes for the other charities that we are connected with. Even though I don't play much golf anymore, I am excited about being involved in the game and what the game means for helping worthy causes. I definitely get a charge out of golf still, particularly the event we have here, and it's always something that's simply fun to be able to do."

For tickets to the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843, or visit us on the Internet at www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 03:30 PM

ARNOLD PALMER HONORED BY T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION WITH LIFETIME PHILANTHROPIC AWARD

October 31, 2011

NEW YORK, NY – Golf legend and philanthropist Arnold Palmer will receive the Lifetime Philanthropic Achievement Award from Tony Martell, Founder and Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, at the 36th Annual Awards Gala on Thursday, November 3rd at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

The T.J. Martell Foundation has provided more than $250 million in funding to leading research hospitals for innovative, early-stage cancer and AIDS research. The Martell Honors Gala is one of the biggest and most glamorous events of New York City’s fall season bringing together over 1,000 music and entertainment leaders, top business and media executives and celebrities.

T.J., Tony Martell's son for whom the Foundation is named, was an avid golfer in high school with a single-digit handicap. Before passing away, he considered Arnold Palmer to be one of his greatest heroes. He followed Palmer with great interest and should be considered a member of Arnie's Army, if not in body then surely in spirit.

"For a short time, engrossed in Arnie's book, I had T.J. back with me - excited as the golf loving teenager he was. Being a music company executive I had the opportunity to introduce T.J. to many rock stars, but his idol, throughout all his high school and college years was always Arnie Palmer." said Tony Martell, Chairman & Founder. "Mr. Palmer embodies the spirit, generosity, and hope of my beloved T.J., making November 3rd the high point of all our past Gala honorees."

For nearly a half century, Arnold Palmer's charismatic personality, swashbuckling style of golf and unfailing sense of kindness and thoughtfulness have endeared him to millions throughout the world.

Palmer and his late wife Winnie have supported numerous philanthropic causes, including serving as honorary national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation for 20 years, nature conservation, cancer prevention and women's and children's health. He has founded the Arnold Palmer Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Arnold Palmer Medical Center in Orlando, Florida where the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies are located, which in just over two decades has risen from a community hospital serving Central Florida to an internationally-known health care institution, now ranked as one of the country’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

"This is a wonderful honor to receive from an organization that so generously gives to such an admirable cause." said Palmer. "I am so pleased, especially for the relationship our hospital and community hope to establish with the T.J. Martell Foundation."

Posted by scurry at 04:50 PM

"Arnold Palmer Day" celebrated on Hilton Head

October 20, 2011

Golfing legend's victory at the inaugural Heritage Classic helped put the island on the map. Now, Palmer returns with his design team to unveil its stylish renovation of the Wexford Plantation golf course - and mayor proclaims Oct. 20th a day to remember

HILTON HEAD, SC - Hilton Head Island Mayor Drew Laughlin has ordered an Arnold Palmer.

Mayor Laughlin proclaimed October 20, 2011 "Arnold Palmer Day" on Hilton Head in conjunction with Palmer's return to the island for the grand reopening of the Wexford Plantation golf course.

"Our town and community are committed to excellence in all that we do," said Mayor Laughlin, "and nothing exemplifies this better than Arnold Palmer and Wexford's new golf course."

Thursday morning, Palmer landed on the island aboard his Cessna Citation, accompanied by members of his design team, and following a tour of the new Wexford golf course that now bears his name, struck a ceremonial tee shot and entertained during a lunch and media event.

Palmer first made his mark on Hilton Head in 1969, when he captured the PGA TOUR's inaugural Heritage Classic on then brand-new Harbour Town Golf Links - his victory lending invaluable credibility to a tournament, a golf course and an entire island.

Now, Arnold Palmer Design Company (APDC) has added to his legacy on the island again by putting its signature stamp on the Wexford Plantation golf course. In this dynamic pairing, Palmer and his team brought their design style to a unique and elegant, 525-acre golf, yachting and tennis community in the heart of Hilton Head's bustling south end.

The 18-hole Wexford course was originally designed by Willard C. Byrd and opened in 1983. Wexford celebrated its first 25 years in the spring of 2008 and recently spent $3.9 million renovating its comfortably elegant, traditionally Coastal-style clubhouse strategically located facing Broad Creek's Marshlands and Wexford's picturesque private marina isolated by one of only three lock systems on the east coast of the United States. The club shut down its golf course for renovation in April and has now reopened as an Arnold Palmer Signature Course.

The new design winds through a magnificent display of stately southern residences within the plantation and is brilliantly blended with the natural setting to provide a meticulously maintained journey through tall, majestic Oaks and stately Pines, over intimate ponds and next to expansive Coastal Marshland to offer a unique but special experience.

Following the APDC renovation, each hole at Wexford now presents a distinctive look, challenge, or strategy in the form of risk and reward situations, heroic shots, preferred angles of approach or delicate plays that require thought, imagination and a deft touch. Width may be friend or foe depending on the slopes and angles between a golfer and their target.

APDC also renovated the Wexford driving range and golf practice area, mirroring the renovation of the golf course by adding enhanced tee space and target greens, while also improving visibility.

APDC has developed a worldwide reputation for designing golf courses that are unique and special. The firm is known for using the natural beauty of the land making each golf course compelling and authentic, featuring its own characteristics - a trait that made the company particularly attractive to the Wexford membership owners.

Considering Wexford's diverse membership - plenty of working professionals, 100-plus children, active boaters, tennis players, croquet players, golfers and retirees - the club wanted a golf course where three generations of members can play and have fun. APDC oversaw a fun and imaginative, complete remodel of the golf course.

Without sacrificing its character, APDC has allowed the Wexford golf course to fit the property naturally and provide the layout a more timeless feel and style. Palmer's design company has transformed the playing strategy, characteristics and look of the Wexford layout, while also incorporating design changes that have improved drainage and will reduce maintenance costs.

"Our intent was to create a new design in the spirit and tradition of America's classic golf courses and bring a modern interpretation or twist to their enduring standard and a few select template holes such as The Road Hole, Redan, Alps or Biarritz," said APDC Senior Architect Brandon Johnson, lead designer on the Wexford project.

Added APDC Senior Architect Thad Layton "Wexford is by no means a replica course, we take inspiration from certain places and our inspiration for the Wexford Plantation remodel is founded in traditional and classic Golf Course Architecture."

The Wexford renovation encompassed repositioning and reorienting tee complexes, significant bunker removal and strategic old/new bunker placement and modifying, along with tree removal, to increase sun exposure and widen fairway corridors. APDC also added more character to the greens and surrounding complexes, which now provide an enjoyable challenge featuring roll-offs, roll-ons and strong visuals.

"We wanted to give the golfer several options of play off the tee and around the greens to cause him or her to think about their upcoming shot," Johnson said. "By significantly reducing the amount of bunker space, repositioning them in more visible and strategic locations and widening the fairways we were able to add a previously missing strategic element to the golf course while allowing more room and avenues of play for the higher handicap player."

Since its inception in 1972, APDC has designed approximately 300 golf courses around the world that are acclaimed for their individually unique styles. In addition, the company is widely recognized among the preeminent experts in the field of renovation work, highlighted by its remodeling of world-renowned tournament venues such as Pebble Beach and Bay Hill.

While Wexford will stand as the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course on Hilton Head, this will not be Palmer's first design in the Lowcountry. APDC also designed Crescent Pointe in Bluffton, S.C., along with internationally renowned Old Tabby Links on nearby Spring Island.

"We are delighted to be back in the Lowcountry to create a special and unique golf experience for the membership at Wexford," said Mr. Palmer. "We hope the strategy, options and variety of play challenge your intellect and allow you to find the best ways to navigate the course based on your personal game. Wexford is a special place to us and we enjoyed the responsibility of remaking this exceptional club."

Posted by scurry at 01:46 PM

Palmer in Portland

August 27, 2011

Golf legend Arnold Palmer tees it up with Peter Jacobsen in Portland, Oregon for the first annual Umpqua Bank Challenge August 28-30, formerly known as the Fred Meyer Challenge.

The event is a 36-hole golf tournament, plus pro-am and clinics hosted by Portland native Peter Jacobsen.

Palmer attended every Fred Meyer Challenge, helping the event raise nearly $13 million for charity.

“For him to come now for the 18th straight time … it’s a world record for me,” says Jacobsen.

"I've always enjoyed it," said Palmer. "The people were always very nice, and the tournament and the golf course were great."

The event is being hosted at the Portland Golf Club where Palmer has a deep history, starting with an appearance in the Western Open during his first year on tour, in 1955, along with annual appearances in the Portland Open and in the 1982 U.S. Senior Open.

For more information please visit www.petersparty.com

Posted by scurry at 05:40 PM

Palmer at the 3M Championship

August 05, 2011

Blaine, MN – Golf legend Arnold Palmer will be attending the 3M Championship at the TPC Twin Cities – an Arnold Palmer designed course – and playing in the annual Greats of Golf Challenge Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th.

The 2011 Greats of Golf Challenge presented by Post-It® Brand Products players include the legendary Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rogriguez, Billy Casper, Al Geiberger, Gene Littler, David Graham, Miller Barber, Don January, Charles Coody, Andy North and Dave Stockton.

The twelve legends will be on hand for various activities on Saturday and Sunday. Each day will feature nine of the legends competing in a team format with team members changing the following day. All twelve legends will be available each day to sign autographs in the Pioneer Press Expo Tent.

The Defending 3M Championship champion is David Frost.

The 3M Championship offers free admission, parking and shuttles to the public. Please visit the official website for more information.

Posted by scurry at 02:19 PM

ARNOLD PALMER AND JIM NANTZ RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND

May 19, 2011

BALTIMORE, MD – Golf legend Arnold Palmer and esteemed broadcaster Jim Nantz team up May 25 for the inaugural "The 19th Hole" to raise funds for Special Olympics Maryland.

Special Olympics Maryland is proud to tee up this special salute to the sport of golf and all that it contributes to the community and non-profits of every type and size.

Palmer and Nantz will engage in an intimate chat and presentation for what promises to be a special evening filled with stories, memories and golf history.

A silent auction will also be held featuring a vast collection of historic golf and sports memorabilia, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Maryland.

About SOMD
Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) is a year-round sports organization dedicated to providing training and competition opportunities to Maryland’s children and adults with intellectual disabilities by offering 28 different sports during four separate sports seasons. SOMD is positively affecting thousands upon thousands of athletes, encouraging them to reach their full potential by focusing on what they CAN do and not what society has long taught that they CAN’T achieve.

Posted by scurry at 01:49 PM

Arnold Palmer Interview

May 04, 2011

Arnold Palmer interview from Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC. Palmer played in the pro-am event with his grandson Sam Saunders.

Q. What's the course feel like out there?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, it played tougher than I've ever seen it play, but it's great. I think it's set up for a real good tournament.

Q. It seemed like you were in great spirits today, even joking with the crowd at one time when you hit a sand trap. What's it like for you to hear your name called out everywhere you go? Do you ever get used to that feeling?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I enjoyed the day and I enjoyed the people. I haven't been here for a while, and I lived here for a number of years, as you know, and it was great. Everything was good. Johnny was great, my grandson Sam hit the ball pretty good, and I'm looking forward to having a good week.

Q. Rocco Mediate told me earlier that you were the guy who taught him how to conduct himself on the course and how to interact with fans. When somebody says something like that, what's that mean to you, especially coming from a guy like him that's very popular?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, it means a great deal. Rocco is one of my boys. He's doing very well, I think, and he's a great guy. I like to see him play and continue to play good.

Q. You guilted Johnny into the back tees. You wanted to play the tips today?

ARNOLD PALMER: Hey, you know, it's something ‑‑ when you do something wrong and it's minor, don't do it. If you're going to do it, do it right, so we did today. We played where we had no business playing. (Laughter.)

Q. What was it like being out there with your grandson playing here? Special feel for you out there?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, it was great, seeing him play and getting a feel for what's going on in his life right now. Of course you know I did it for 50‑some‑odd years, and to see him now doing it ‑‑ and he's having a bit of a struggle, but I think he's going to do well. He's strong, he looks pretty good playing, and I look for him to do well this week.

Q. How often do you play these days?

ARNOLD PALMER: This is the first time in ‑‑ I've played twice in about ten days, that's all. I don't play much anymore, as little as possible, and hopefully even a bit less than that.

Q. In your prime if you had played with this equipment, how would you have played with today's equipment?

ARNOLD PALMER: Oh, my. That's a good question. I don't know. The equipment that we have today is fantastic stuff, and it would have been fun in my day to have all this modern stuff, the golf ball, the clubs, but I'm still rooting for shortening the ball down a little bit.

Q. You have a lot of history in Charlotte. Do you feel a special bond with this city?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, this has been sort of a second home to me for many, many years, going back to my Wake Forest days, when Dick Finney was a football player here and then went to Wake Forest and played golf and some other people from here who I befriended over the years. So there's a lot of reason for me to enjoy Charlotte.

Q. You had a big gallery following you today. How did that make you feel, to see so many people that wanted to come out and watch you play?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that was very flattering. They knew I wasn't going to play any kind of great golf, but it was fun. It was fun seeing the people. I saw so many old friends. That was the thrill for me, and it made the day. It made it a nice day for me.

Q. Golf is considering changing a rule based on what happened to Webb Simpson last weekend. He took a stroke penalty because the ball moved by force of nature, which forced him into a sudden death playoff and then he lost. What do you think about that rule?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that's a situation for the United States Golf Association, and I think they'll look into that properly, and I hope that they'll find something to do that will alleviate things like what happened to Webb last week. He really deserved a little better fate, but he handled it extremely well, and that's kind of the name of the game as far as I'm concerned. He handled it well. He's a good player, and he will win down the road, and that's the important thing.

Posted by scurry at 07:48 PM

ARNOLD PALMER SET FOR INAUGURAL UMPQUA BANK CHALLENGE

April 27, 2011

Palmer will be joined by other legends of the game

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 27, 2011) – Peter Jacobsen SPORTS today announced that Arnold Palmer has officially committed to the upcoming Umpqua Bank Challenge. Along with Tournament Host Peter Jacobsen, Palmer was the only player to compete in all 17 previous Challenge events.

"Arnold is considered to be the greatest ambassador that golf has ever known," said Jacobsen, "In trying to establish The Umpqua Bank Challenge I can't think of anyone better to have by my side. It means the world to me that he will be there."

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Palmer has amassed 62 PGA TOUR victories, including seven major championships, and 10 Champions Tour victories, including two major championships. He was the first player in PGA TOUR history to reach $1 million in official career earnings and is tied with Jack Nicklaus for the record of most consecutive years winning at least one tournament (17).

"For 17 years I looked forward to coming to Portland and playing in The Challenge each summer," said Palmer, "I'm so pleased that Peter has brought back this great event and I can't wait to be there."

Joining Jacobsen and Palmer as members of the tournament's main field are John Cook, Ben Crenshaw, Jay Haas, Bernhard Langer and Fuzzy Zoeller.

• John Cook; Winner of 11 PGA TOUR tournaments and seven Champions tour tournaments, including two so far in 2011, Cook participated in 11 Challenge events, finishing in first place in 1994 and 2000 with then-partner Mark O'Meara.
• Ben Crenshaw; Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and winner of 19 PGA TOUR tournaments, including the 1984 and 1995 Masters Tournaments. Crenshaw participated in eight Challenge events, finishing in first place in 1991 with then-partner Paul Azinger.
• Jay Haas; Winner of nine PGA TOUR tournaments and 14 Champions Tour tournaments, including three major championships. The 2006 and 2008 Charles Schwab Cup winner, Haas participated in nine Challenge events, his best finish being a T2 in 1997 with then-partner Phil Mickelson.
• Bernhard Langer; Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and winner of three PGA TOUR tournaments, including two Masters Tournaments, 14 Champions Tour tournaments and 58 International tournaments. This will be Langer's first appearance in a Challenge event.
• Fuzzy Zoeller; A fan-favorite and winner of 10 PGA TOUR tournaments, including two major championships, and two Champions Tour tournaments, including one major championship. Zoeller participated in 12 Challenge events, his best finish being second place in 2001 with then-partner Jean Van de Velde.

Tickets for the 2011 Umpqua Bank Challenge will go on sale May 9. For the most up-to-date tournament information and news, including details on volunteering, ticket prices, parking and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.umpquabankchallenge.com or call (866) 503-2003.

About The Umpqua Bank Challenge
The Umpqua Bank Challenge, http://www.umpquabankchallenge.com, is a three-day exhibition-style golf tournament set for August 28-30, 2011 at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. The tournament will feature The Regence Pro-am on Sunday and The Umpqua Bank Challenge main field competition on Monday and Tuesday, where sixteen PGA TOUR professionals will pair into eight two-person teams and play for a $750,000 purse. Hosted by PGA TOUR professional and Portland-native Peter Jacobsen, proceeds from The Umpqua Bank Challenge will benefit the tournament's two partner charities; The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation-Oregon.

About Peter Jacobsen SPORTS
Founded in 1988, Peter Jacobsen SPORTS, LLC, http://www.peterjacobsensports.com, is a full-service sports and entertainment marketing firm that specializes in event sales, management and operations, sponsorship consulting and player/talent relations. The company is independently owned and has more than 20 full-time employees across three offices – Portland, Ore., Bonita Springs, Fla., and Providence, R.I. Since its inception, PJS has managed more than 250 events around the United States.

About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, http://www.umpquabank.com, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ) and has 184 locations between San Francisco and Seattle, along the Oregon and Northern California Coast, and in Central Oregon and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past five years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies To Work For." Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua's Private Bank Division serves high net worth individuals and non-profits providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com.

Posted by scurry at 09:00 AM

Arnold Palmer to play in Quail Hollow pro-am

April 26, 2011

Golf legend Arnold Palmer will play in the Wells Fargo Championship pro-am in Charlotte, NC on May 4 and be paired with his grandson.

The tournament announced Monday that Palmer will play with Sam Saunders, who is getting a sponsor exemption to play in the PGA TOUR event at Quail Hollow. Club president Johnny Harris will complete the threesome.

Palmer attended a dinner honoring the 50th anniversary of Quail Hollow Club last May and last played a public round in Charlotte when he competed in a Champions Tour event in 2001.

The course was originally designed by golf course architect George Cobb in 1961 to capture the beauty as well as challenging terrain of the Piedmont region.

From 1985 to 1986, Palmer and his golf course design company made modifications to holes 3, 7, 9, and 17.

Palmer, a long-time Quail Hollow member, has many friends at the club and for years had a home on the 15th hole.

Posted by scurry at 03:57 PM

PALMER TEE SHOT OPENS '11 MASTERS

April 11, 2011

Arnold Palmer returned to The Masters last Thursday to hit the ceremonial first tee shot, an honor previously bestowed upon revered champions such as Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Palmer's long-time rival and friend, Jack Nicklaus, joined him in the honorary starter role, teeing off after him.

Just after day break, at 7:30 a.m., cheers hit the air the very moment Arnold Palmer emerged from the clubhouse to take the shortest walk in golf towards the first tee. Palmer hit a beautiful shot into the fairway and Nicklaus followed suit. An intense four days of competition at Augusta National ensued with 26-year-old South African Charl Schwartzel taking the green jacket on Sunday by two strokes.

"Augusta and this golf tournament has been about (as much) a part of my life as anything other than my family," Palmer said.

Naturally, most students of Mr. Palmer's fabled career will focus on his four Masters wins – in 1958. 1960. 1962 and 1964.

In 1958, the king stumbled to a closing 73, one over par, but still went over the winning line by one shot from defending champion Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins. Two years later, he had a similarly slim margin over Ken Venturi and in 1962 he beat both Gary Player and Dow Finsterwald in a playoff.

In 1964, though, it was an entirely different story as the King ran out a rampant six–shot winner over Dave Marr and Jack Nicklaus.

"I am first very pleased to be a member of this club and to have the opportunities that the Masters has presented for me. Hopefully, every person who eventually plays here understands what it means and how I feel about it, and I suppose the effect it has had in my life." said Palmer.

Posted by scurry at 09:45 AM

PALMER AT THE 2011 MASTERS

April 01, 2011

Arnold Palmer’s string of consecutive playing appearances in the Masters Tournament ended at 50 when he competed for a final time in the 2004 championship, but Arnold Palmer will be in Augusta, Georgia, again this April, a stop he has made every year since 1955.

As he did last year, Palmer will go to Augusta Tuesday, April 5, to attend the Champions Dinner that evening in the historic Augusta National clubhouse. Phil Mickelson, the defending champion, hosts the dinner, at which virtually all of the living former winners of the classic event, playing or non-playing, will gather.

On Wednesday, April 6, Palmer plays the annual Par 3 Contest. First played in 1960 and won that year by Sam Snead, the Par 3 Contest has become a Wednesday tradition at the Masters. Tournament participants, non-competing past champions, and Honorary Invitees are invited to participate in the Contest. Palmer won the Par 3 Contest in 1967 in a playoff. The event will be televised on ESPN.

Palmer serves as the Honorary Starter on Thursday, April 7, with his long-time rival and friend Jack Nicklaus, each hitting tee shots on the first tee to launch the 2011 Masters. Palmer is just the seventh person to serve as Honorary Starter in the long history of the Masters, which began in 1934. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod inaugurated the role in 1963. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 and Ken Venturi filled in for Nelson in 1983. Sam Snead joined Nelson and Sarazen in 1984. The position was vacant since Snead died following the 2002 Masters until the 2007 event when Palmer assumed the role for the first time.

"As you know, Augusta is one of my favorite places and the Masters has meant so much to me personally throughout my career. I have always been treated so warmly there by the patrons. I hope in some way I can show my gratitude to the fans who have followed and supported me these many years” said Palmer.

Visit www.masters.com.

Posted by scurry at 03:16 PM

THE HOSPITAL THAT GOLF BUILT

March 22, 2011

WHERE GREAT WORK GETS DONE

Proceeds from the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, which includes Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

This is a well-established fact, and an important one, too, because in the 32 years of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, significant sums have been raised on behalf of a cause that is as important as anything Arnold Palmer has done in his long, multifaceted and successful career in golf. And with many of the best players on the PGA TOUR here at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge for this year’s tournament, they’ll play a part in raising more money for the two Orlando hospitals that have come to mean so much to area families since 1989.

Interestingly, some of these families belong to PGA TOUR players who live in central Florida. More than 20 TOUR professionals have had children born at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies while others have taken their kids to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for treatment and care for injuries or illnesses.

Says John Bozard, President of the Arnold Palmer Medical Center: “Because of our partnership with Mr. Palmer, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, the PGA TOUR and many other events and organizations, we are affectionately referred to as, ‘The hospital that golf built.’ However, in addition to their financial support, we also serve the families of professional golfers. When a child is sick or injured, it does not matter what his or her father (or mother) does for a living. What matters is the health and wellbeing of a child, just like with every family we serve. We are proud that many golfers have welcomed a new baby into the world or turned to us in their child’s time of need and the team at the Arnold Palmer Medical Center has been here, ready to serve them.”

England’s Brian Davis, who now lives in Orlando with his wife, Julie, and three children, says he has come to know the people at the Arnold Palmer Medical Center “like members of my family.” While his oldest son, Oliver, was born in the United Kingdom, his two youngest children, Henry and Madeline, were born at the Arnold Palmer Medical Center. Each has needed further medical care after birth, and in the case of Madeline, she underwent two operations after a series of problems, including a collapsed lung.

Davis moved to the U.S. after having a chance to compare medical service delivery in his home country and at the APMC, and he admits he could never overstate how important that decision has been. “Our number one priority is the health of our children and making sure they get the proper care,” Davis says. “All I can say is that our story is probably not unlike a lot of people who come to the Arnold Palmer Hospital. You want the best for your kids, and you are so grateful to be able to put them in such great hands.”

D.A. Points, who lives in Ocoee, Florida, couldn’t agree more. His wife, Lori, gave birth to their daughter, Laila Jane, last February at Winnie Palmer Hospital and all went smoothly. Together they visited Palmer in December in his office at Bay Hill to present the tournament founder and host with a personal donation for the hospital. Points, too, has seen the hospital work wonders up close. His nephew, Carson Chorney, spent 160 days at Arnold Palmer Hospital being treated for cancer. The 11-year-old is doing much better, and he has even started to hit golf balls with his uncle.

“Both hospitals have played a role in our lives,” says Points, who considers Palmer a mentor and friend. “We’re fortunate, all of us who live in the area, to have such an amazing place to go when our kids are born or when our kids are sick. The whole organization does so much for everyone who goes there.”

“The success of the hospital and the great work that is done there every day has always had great personal meaning to me, and it’s something we’re all proud to be a part of,” Palmer says. “It’s been a big part of my life, and it pleases me that so many people have been helped over the years.”

Sometimes, help just comes in the form of simple things that bring serenity and peace of mind to an exciting but stressful time: the birth of a child. That’s what Charles Howell III says he and his wife, Heather, remember about the care they received when their daughter, Ansley, was born last May.

“Having never gone through the experience before – it was our first child – we had no idea what to expect. They walked us through everything, which was awesome. The delivery rooms were so good – we thought we were at a hotel, a nice hotel. That good. We always had good people around us. For a day like that, especially when it’s your first child and it can be kind of a traumatic thing, it was easy. The people there were just great.”

Of course, the story would be no different regardless of who walks through the doors. And that includes people who do not have the means to otherwise receive care. But with the help of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, everyone is treated the same – and treated well. It’s fair to say that the tournament proceeds that benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center actually benefit the patients.

“I’ve been there at the hospital when people come in with no insurance, and they look after them and give them the care that they need,” Davis says. “Having a relationship with the tournament, being able to play and help raise money means a lot. It helps to keep the hospital afloat, and it’s great that we can raise money to help the people who are struggling. But in my mind, the really important people are those at the hospital, especially Dr. (Gregor) Alexander, who is one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met. He has given his life to the hospital and to kids. It’s also amazing that Arnold had the vision to do what he’s done on behalf of the hospital.”

“How the tournament works in conjunction with the hospital and the benefits it receives … I’ve always understood it and I always knew it,” Howell says. “Now I can say that I’ve lived it. It’s a little different when you go to the hospital and have that first-hand experience of what those people do, the great care that they give to you no matter who you are.

“I’ve always played the tournament because it was a local event, it’s a great event and because of Arnold, but now it has a little different meaning for me because of what they stand for and what they did for me and my family.”

Posted by scurry at 09:28 AM

Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Will Feature 25 of the Top 50 Players in World Ranking

March 20, 2011

The 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will feature defending champion Ernie Els, six-time champion Tiger Woods, and current major winners Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell when the 33rd annual PGA TOUR event is held March 21-27 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

Nine former winners at Bay Hill are entered. Woods had four consecutive victories from 2000 through 2003, then won in 2008 and 2009, but did not defend last year. Mickelson won in 1997. Among the other former winners is Andy Bean, the 1981 champion who still shares the course record of 62 (with Greg Norman). The others entered are Robert Gamez, Tim Herron, Andrew Magee, Rod Pampling and Vijay Singh.

Twenty-five of the top 50 players on the World Ranking are entered, led by fourth-ranked McDowell, the U.S. Open champion, and sixth-ranked Mickelson, the Masters champion. Woods is listed between them on the World Ranking, holding fifth place.

Els is ranked No. 13 in the world. Other highly-ranked players in the field include No. 11 Dustin Johnson, No. 12 Jim Furyk, No. 14 Ian Poulter, No. 17 Bubba Watson, No. 18 Hunter Mahan and No. 25 Edoardo Molinari, who shared second place at Bay Hill last year with Kevin Na, two strokes behind Els.

Also in the field from the top of the World Ranking are No. 26 Charl Schwartzel, No. 27 Robert Allenby, No. 29 Rickie Fowler and No. 31 Justin Rose. Young Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa returns, ranked No. 44 in the world, along with No. 47 Camilo Villegas.

Mark Wilson, ranked first in the 2011 FedExCup points race, is entered along with Jhonatton Vegas, the young Venezuelan who holds second place, and a local favorite, D.A. Points, who is in fifth place. Seven of the top 12 are entered.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will be played over four rounds for $6 million in prize money ($1,080,000 to the winner) starting Thursday. There will be Pro-Am competitions at Bay Hill Monday and Wednesday, while Tuesday will be a practice day.

For tickets to the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843, or visit us on the Internet at www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com. Tournament proceeds benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Field

Robert Allenby
Stephen Ames
Stuart Appleby
Arjun Atwal
Aaron Baddeley
Ricky Barnes
Andy Bean
Cameron Beckman
Matt Bettencourt
Jason Bohn
Keegan Bradley
Chad Campbell
Alex Carpenter
Alex Cejka
K. J. Choi
Daniel Chopra
Stewart Cink
Erik Compton
Chris Couch
Ben Curtis
Robert Damron
Brian Davis
Brendon de Jonge
Chris DiMarco
Jason Duffner
David Duval
Ernie Els
Matt Every
Brad Faxon
Rickie Fowler
Jim Furyk
Tommy Gainey
Robert Gamez
Sergio Garcia
Robert Garrigus
Brian Gay
Tom Gillis
Paul Goydos
Bill Haas
Hunter Haas
Peter Hanson
J.J. Henry
Tim Herron
J.B. Holmes
Charles Howell III
Billy Hurley III
Yuta Ikeda
Trevor Immelman
Ryo Ishikawa
Fredrik Jacobson
Lee Janzen
Brandt Jobe
Dustin Johnson
Richard S. Johnson
Zach Johnson Skip Kendall
Chris Kirk
Martin Laird
Marc Leishman
Justin Leonard
Spencer Levin
Bill Lunde
Jarrod Lyle
Andrew Magee
Hunter Mahan
Matteo Manassero
Steve Marino
Ben Martin
Troy Matteson
Graeme McDowell
William McGirt
Rocco Mediate
Phil Mickelson
Zack Miller
Edoardo Molinari
Ryan Moore
Kevin Na
Sean O’Hair
Nick O’Hern
Jeff Overton
Rod Pampling
Kenny Perry
Rod Perry
Carl Pettersson
D.A. Points
Ian Poulter
Dicky Pride
Alex Prugh
Justin Rose
Sam Saunders
Charl Schwartzel
John Senden
Michael Sim
Webb Simpson
Vijay Singh
Heath Slocum
Brandt Snedeker
Kyle M. Stanley
Brendan Steele
Henrik Stenson
Kevin Streelman
Daniel Summerhays
Vaughn Taylor
Roland Thatcher
David Toms
D.J. Trahan
Bo Van Pelt
Jhonattan Vegas
Scott Verplank
Camilo Villegas
Johnson Wagner
Jimmy Walker
Bubba Watson
Boo Weekley
Mike Weir
Charlie Wi
Mark Wilson
Gary Woodland
Tiger Woods

Posted by scurry at 03:41 PM

THE KING HAS BAY HILL FLYING HIGH

March 09, 2011

Palmer refining course, eagerly looking forward to another great year at tournament that bears his name

Arnold Palmer recently decided that he would not renew his pilot's license after more than 50 years of aviation success and excitement, but that doesn't mean he ever tires of piloting the direction of another of his passions - overseeing one of the most prestigious events on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard.

"Every year I think of something that I want to do a little better, and every year that makes me look forward to bringing everyone back to Bay Hill Club," Palmer says with a big smile.

Palmer, 81, has plenty to look forward to, what with hosting the 33rd edition of the tournament that bears his name March 21-27 and also celebrating the 50th anniversary of his prized layout, Bay Hill Club & Lodge. The Championship Course at Bay Hill is as good as ever after a significant renovation last year that was met by overwhelming approval from the competitors. Palmer has made a few minor tweaks to the 7,381-yard, par-72, most significantly leveling some fairway bunkers to bring uniformity to the shot values.

"We were very happy with the changes, how those changes made a difference in how the players handled the golf course, and we were very happy that the players seemed pleased with what we did. That was all good news for us," says Palmer, who cautions that anything he changes now is in the vein of refinement.

"The larger work is done," he says. "That doesn't mean we can't do a couple of little things - though I don't plan to make it any harder. We've looked at some sand traps, and we're leveling those up a bit, and we'll scrutinize here and there to make sure everything is as good as it can be. I'm happy with what we've got now. If there is one surprise to it all, I thought the scores (last year) would be a lot lower."

Former U.S. Open and British Open champion Ernie Els won his second title at Bay Hill, making a series of clutch putts down the stretch to close with a 1-under-par 71 and 277 total, good for a two-stroke victory over Edoardo Molinari and Kevin Na. The tournament finished on Monday after inclement weather forced a suspension of the final round. The extra day only added to the drama.

"I'll tell you, Ernie Els played a very good golf tournament, and he needed to because they were on him," Palmer says. "It was a very exciting finish."

Also exciting to Palmer is the continued growth of the tournament's charitable initiatives and its beneficiaries, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. As Palmer says, playing golf isn't high on his list anymore but he loves remaining in the game to be able to accomplish other goals.

"Most of the stuff that we think about these days is being done is in line with the hospital and how we can keep that energy going, the interaction between the club, the tournament and the hospital," Palmer says. "The hospital is growing, the things they are doing, the technologies that are developing, are all very important things. How to keep that charity growing... we keep pushing it hard, and people are so generous. That gives us a lot to do, but good things."

"We continue to work hard all year long to ensure that Mr. Palmer's philanthropic vision is carried out, and that means strengthening the tournament's relationship with our benefiting charities, the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation," said Scott Wellington, tournament director. "It will be clear to see that work in action during the weeks leading up to and through the event this year."

Palmer says his passion for golf hasn't changed. But the manner in which he enjoys it has evolved. "You know, I don't play Bay Hill like I used to, but what I enjoy now is watching how the players, when they come here to the tournament, handle the challenges of Bay Hill," Palmer says. "I just wish I could still be out there with them, but what I'm doing now is OK, too. What I'm doing is still special, and it will always be special."

For tickets to the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843, or visit us on the Internet at www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com. Tournament proceeds benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 02:30 PM

The King Holds Court With USGA Members

January 20, 2011

Courtesy of the USGA
By Ron Driscoll

Orlando, Fla. – Halfway through his question-and-answer session Monday night with moderator Gary Williams of the Golf Channel, Arnold Palmer leaned over and told Williams mischievously, “I think I’m taking your show away from you.”

Williams, the host of Golf Channel’s new Morning Drive show, knew better: this evening belonged to “The King,” and no one minded that he was taking the Q&A and running with it, spinning off anecdotes and reminiscences for USGA Members and guests as part of the third USGA Member Education Series event, hosted by the Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge, Palmer’s home in Orlando, Fla.

From the moment Palmer, 81, climbed the couple of stairs to the podium and joked, “I never thought it would be so hard to get up here… You older folks know what I’m talking about,” he had the audience of 125 nodding in agreement and laughing with approval. The group included a special guest, Dow Finsterwald, a longtime friend of Palmer’s who won the 1958 PGA Championship and also played on four U.S. Ryder Cup teams.

When one of the USGA Members asked him to recount a famous story, Palmer looked quickly to his wife, Kit, for approval, then dove in. “Some of my friends and I played here at Bay Hill years ago, and after we had a couple of beers, we went back out to play what we call the ‘Short Turn’: No. 10, and then 15 through 18. We were betting a little bit – you know, nickels and dimes – and we got to No. 17 [a par 3 over water].

“My caddie, Tomcat, told me to hit 3-iron, and I questioned it. He insisted that 3-iron was the club, and I hit it short, in the water. So I announced to the group that now I was going to hit a 2-iron and make a par. They all laughed, just like I would have laughed if one of them had said it. Well, I hit the 2-iron and it landed 15 feet short and rolled right into the hole – for a par 3. So now I was [peeved] at my caddie and I said, ‘See, it’s a 2-iron shot.’ And Tomcat says to me, ‘No sir, Mr. Palmer, it’s a 3-iron. You hit that 2-iron fat!’”

When Palmer was asked what he would have done if he hadn’t become a professional golfer, he said, tongue firmly in cheek, “I wasn’t smart enough to do many other things… I asked myself, ‘What could I do if I couldn’t play golf?’ There really wasn’t anything else.”

He went on to say that he could have seen himself as a golf course superintendent – his father, Deacon (Deke), was the longtime golf professional and greenkeeper at Latrobe (Pa.) Country Club. And he told the crowd that he planned to complete his long avocation as a pilot later in January with a final flight, after 20,000 hours logged. “I’ve flown around the world,” he said. “I love aviation, so perhaps I would have gone into that as a career.”

Before the session with USGA Members, Palmer honored a request to pose for the first time with the three USGA trophies he has won: the U.S. Amateur (1954), the U.S. Open (1960) and the U.S. Senior Open (1981). Palmer is one of five golfers in history to have won three different USGA championships, and only Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have won the Amateur, Open and Senior Open titles.

Recalling the U.S. Amateur victory at the Country Club of Detroit, Palmer said, “I had won the All-American title earlier in the summer, but winning the Amateur meant everything to me. I felt I could handle the PGA Tour and compete with confidence. It ended up being my life and my future.”

And yet, like any golfer, Palmer recalled one that got away. When asked to describe his most memorable recovery shot, he answered with a question. “Does anyone here have a USGA Rules of Golf book? The picture on the cover is of me trying to play a shot off a tree stump in the 1963 U.S. Open at The Country Club [in Brookline, Mass.]. I made a triple-bogey 7 and lost the championship to Julius Boros in a playoff.”

As Williams discovered, Palmer keeps busy these days. When Williams told Palmer, “I have it on good authority that you were working out on the treadmill at 6:20 this morning,” Palmer corrected him. “Did they also tell you that I had already been there for half an hour?”

A few other gems from Palmer:

• On his father, Deke: “From him, I learned integrity, honesty and straightforwardness – the bottom line was, ‘Just get it done.’ He was a nice guy, but he was tough.”
• On the annual Masters champions dinner and who he gravitates to: “Jack Nicklaus. As competitive as we are – and we still work to outdo each other, except now it’s in business – the competition we have is something that I really appreciate. He is my friend.”
• On his involvement in the launch of Golf Channel: “When my good friend Joe Gibbs told me about his idea for a golf network, I wondered, ‘Golf, 24 hours a day… even in the middle of the night?’ But we had lots of meetings about it and Joe convinced me, and of course, it’s been wonderful.”
• On playing at St. Andrews: “I won the World Cup with Sam Snead in Ireland [in 1960], and then I lost to Kel Nagle by a shot in the British Open at St. Andrews. I think it cost me more to travel there than I won for finishing second. But my father insisted that if I was going to play, I needed to be able to play everywhere, because golf is a world game.” [Note: Palmer’s entry in the 1960 British Open almost singlehandedly put the championship back on the radar for American professionals, none of whom had competed in the 1959 British Open.]
• On his relationship with the USGA: “Seeing the three trophies together makes me think about how important the USGA has been to me and to golf. I remember that the first USGA championship I competed in was at Oakmont, and in 1994 I played in my last one at Oakmont. I was very emotional. To all the Members of the USGA, the volunteers who work so diligently, I can’t thank them enough. You can talk about the PGA or the PGA Tour, but when you get down to the basics, the people in this room represent the USGA and the game of golf. You are the nucleus.”

And with that, “The King” was off the podium and on his way. “I’ve got to go walk my dog,” said Palmer as he headed for the door.

Ron Driscoll is the USGA’s copy editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at rdriscoll@usga.org.

Posted by scurry at 12:23 PM

PALMER ATTENDS THE 2011 BOB HOPE CLASSIC

January 18, 2011

LA QUINTA, CA – Golf legend Arnold Palmer is scheduled to attend the 2011 Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta, California.

Palmer, the only five-time winner of the Bob Hope Classic, will personally fly his Cessna Citation X to the event.

"I have a lot of great memories playing the Hope." said Palmer. "I thought the world of Bob Hope and spent many priceless hours with him on and off the golf course.”

Palmer's association with the event goes back to 1960, when he won the Palm Springs Desert Golf Classic. (He also won the Thunderbird Classic in 1959, which-predated the Palm Springs tournament but was played in the same area.) It became the Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1965 and Palmer won it five times, the last of which happened to be his 62nd and final PGA Tour title in 1973.

In 2001 Palmer shot a 1-under 71, becoming the first player in the events history to shoot his age. Palmer served as host of the 50th anniversary of the tournament in 2009.

This year Palmer plans on watching his grandson Sam Saunders play in the event. The 22-year-old Saunders turned pro last year after a solid amateur career at Clemson and has received a sponsor's exemption to play in the event.

"I always enjoy it when my grandfather comes out to watch me play." said Saunders. "I feel really good about my game and I'm excited to play in the tournament."

Posted by scurry at 04:11 PM

PALMER RETURNS TO SPAIN TO INTRODUCE APPAREL LINE

December 03, 2010

Arnold Palmer returns to Spain 35 years after he won the Spanish Open to present his new line of clothing and accessories. Palmer will personally fly the trans-Atlantic trip in his Citation X. The presentation ceremony takes place on Friday, December 10, at the Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid. The last time Palmer visited Spain was in 1982 for the Johnnie Walker Trophy at Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona.

Spain Bay Hill Society, formed by Javier Suarez and Victor Melian, will introduce the Arnold Palmer line of clothing and accessories in Spain.

The Arnold Palmer brand embodies the traditional values of golf in its design and manufactured using the latest technologies for the comfort of amateurs and professionals.

While in Madrid, Palmer and his wife Kit will tour the Real Madrid stadium and also visit the Real Club de Golf de la Puerta de Hierro Est.1896.

Posted by scurry at 04:54 PM

PALMER AT ADMINISTAFF SMALL BUSINESS CLASSIC

October 12, 2010

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Golf legend and Administaff spokesman Arnold Palmer will attend the Administaff Small Business Classic presented by United Healthcare at The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course in Woodlands Texas.

Palmer has been an Administaff spokesman and client since 2004 and played in his last professional career tournament at the event in 2006.

Palmer will serve as host of the Thursday Champions Dinner where Fuzzy Zoeller will receive the Dave Marr Award.

Jim Nantz, popular CBS sportscaster and good friend of Palmer, who also is an Administaff spokesman, will be participating in the tournament-week activities as well.

Posted by scurry at 05:53 PM

AVIATOR ARNOLD PALMER HONORED AT NBAA 2010

September 14, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that, as part of the 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention this October 19-21 in Atlanta, GA, Arnold Palmer and five other Americans prominent in aviation will be presented with Wright Brothers Master Pilot Certificates and Palmer will be further honored with the NBAA 2010 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award.

According to the FAA's web site, "The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years."

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt will present the certificates in person to Palmer, Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan, Bob Hoover, Clay Lacy and Russ Meyer.

"Our congratulations to these individuals on this well-deserved recognition," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Each of these distinguished figures has made indelible contributions to business aviation, and we are delighted that they will stand together and be recognized for reaching a milestone in flight as part of our Convention."

Palmer, an American icon and esteemed businessman, has spent a lifetime promoting business aviation. He currently serves as a spokesman for the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, and has addressed NBAA's Annual Meeting & Convention on several occasions, each time highlighting the benefits the industry brings to the nation's economy and transportation system.

After receiving his Master Pilot Certificate at Wednesday's event, Palmer will be honored with NBAA's 2010 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. That recognition will be accompanied by a video greeting from fellow No Plane No Gain spokesman Warren Buffet, who will welcome Convention attendees and congratulate Palmer on his recognition from NBAA.

###

About the NBAA
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

Posted by scurry at 04:42 PM

Arnold Palmer, Honorary Chairman of Mylan Classic

August 31, 2010

CANONSBURG, PA. -- One of Western Pennsylvania's most prominent and respected native sons, Arnold Palmer, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman for the inaugural playing of his home state's new Nationwide Tour event, the Mylan Classic presented by CONSOL Energy.

The 2010 Mylan Classic will be played Sept. 2-5 at Southpointe Golf Club in the Pittsburgh suburb of Canonsburg, preceded by a pro-am on Sept. 1. All four rounds will be televised on Golf Channel in the U.S., with the event reaching 123 countries overseas.

"I gladly accepted this offer when approached by Rod Piatt," said Palmer. "I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the Nationwide Tour and the significant impact it has on the PGA TOUR. Now in its 21st year, the Tour has done much to advance the level of competition in professional golf and prepare many of the sport's most talented young players for life on the PGA TOUR. I congratulate Mylan and key supporting sponsors CONSOL Energy and Dick's Sporting Goods for bringing this wonderful event to the golf fans of Western Pennsylvania. I hope they come out in big numbers to support the tournament."

"Having Mr. Palmer's support of the inaugural Mylan Classic at Southpointe is a true honor and I know that all of the golf fans in Western Pennsylvania are proud to have such a goodwill ambassador of golf associated with this exciting event," said Rod Piatt, who is Mylan Classic Co-Chairman along with Jeff Kotula of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Added Mylan Chairman and CEO Robert J. Coury, "We feel truly privileged that Arnold Palmer will be participating in the Mylan Classic in this very special way. While his golf career has certainly been nothing short of legendary, his reputation for helping to raise funds for numerous charitable organizations is just as impressive. He is the perfect Honorary Chairman for an event that combines the celebration of golf with the desire to give back to our local community and its charities."

"Arnold Palmer is synonymous with golf in Western Pennsylvania and has been for 60 years," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "It is very fitting that he lend his name and reputation to help launch the Nationwide Tour's Mylan Classic in what amounts to his backyard. Mr. Palmer has always been very supportive of the Nationwide Tour and we can't thank him enough for providing his seal of approval to this new tournament."

Palmer was born and raised in Latrobe, Pa., about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. The 1974 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee spends his summer months in his beloved Latrobe and plays regularly at Latrobe Country Club, which he owns and operates.

Palmer is a self-professed fan of the Nationwide Tour, and his grandson, Sam Saunders, who aspires to play on the PGA TOUR, made his national professional debut last September at the Nationwide Tour's Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft in Idaho.

Posted by scurry at 03:04 PM

PALMER ATTENDS U.S. OIL OPEN WHICH RAISES OVER $2.2 MILLION TO HELP FIGHT POVERTY

August 13, 2010

HOLLANDTOWN, WI - Arnold Palmer joined Nancy Lopez at this year's U.S. Oil Open where the event raised more than $2.2 million for charity, a record for the 25th annual event.

Despite soggy conditions, 800 golfers teed off at several local courses with the goal to raise money to help fight poverty.

LPGA legend Nancy Lopez attended last year and invited Palmer to join her this year. Both legends spoke at the banquet dinner.

"It's a great pleasure to be here with Nancy Lopez and to support this wonderful program," said Palmer. "I understand that over the years, 25 to be exact, they have really done great things for the local community and local charities and that's why I'm here."

"It's important because we need an uplift right now in this economic situation and anything I can do to help push that, I'm trying to do," added Palmer.

The money will be donated to the Basic Needs Giving Partnership with the J.J. Keller Foundation and other local area community foundations with the purpose of fighting the root causes of poverty in northeast Wisconsin.

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Posted by scurry at 09:36 AM

Palmer at the 3M Championship

August 04, 2010

Blaine, MN – Golf legend Arnold Palmer will be attending the 3M Championship at the TPC Twin Cities – an Arnold Palmer designed course – and playing in the annual Greats of Golf Challenge Saturday, August 7th and Sunday, August 8th.

Defending 3M Championship champion Bernhard Langer is trying to extend his current winning streak to three in a row. Langer is hot coming off back-to-back Champions Tour major victories at the Senior British Open and the U.S. Senior Open in a two-week period.

Palmer will personally fly his Cessna Citation X to the Twin Cities from his home in Latrobe, PA.

The Greats of Golf Challenge, presented by Post-it Brand Products, features nine PGA Champions Tour professional playing in a three-person team, better-ball format.

Last year Team Army (Arnold Palmer, Al Geiberger, Don January) shot a -22 winning in a playoff against Team Ryder Cup (Billy Casper, Tony Jacklin, Gene Litter) -22 and Team International (Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino, Charles Coody) -21.

Team Army 2010 will consist of Palmer, Miller Barber and Don January.

"The 3M Championship is a great event that I really enjoy." said Palmer. "It's a lot of fun to play golf with these guys."

Last year was also the first year which offered free admission, parking and shuttles to the public.

"It's very exciting that the 3M Championship is giving golf fans the opportunity to see this great event for free." said Palmer. "I also hope this offer will introduce the sport of golf to some new people as well."

Posted by scurry at 11:22 AM

Arnold Palmer at Greenbrier to Watch Grandson Sam Saunders

July 29, 2010

Courtesy of PGATOUR.COM

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. -- The first time Arnold Palmer played at The Greenbrier was 55 years ago.

The legendary Sam Snead had invited Palmer, who was actually the king-in-waiting back then, to play in his pro-am. Palmer walked away with his first paycheck, too -- and given the times, it was a pretty big one at just under $10,000.

"That really afforded me the opportunity to continue to play the TOUR," Palmer, who later played in two World Cups with Snead, recalled on Thursday. "It was fun being with Sam and playing with him. He never spent a lot of money, though. He was close with the buck."

The King flew back to the mountains of West Virginia on Thursday morning to watch his grandson, Sam Saunders, play in The Greenbrier Classic.

Palmer walked several holes with Saunders before having lunch with Jim Justice, the jocular owner of The Greenbrier. Palmer marveled at the way the tournament has come together in a little more than 14 months.

"What a man," he said. "He's a great guy -- I think he hired me (at lunch)."

After lunch, Palmer joined his grandson on the range for a skull session. Then he spent some time in the tower with GOLF CHANNEL announcers Nick Faldo and Rich Lerner before hopping in a golf cart and entertaining several print reporters before darkening clouds began to creep over the mountains.

Saunders has played in six PGA TOUR events this year, making the cut in three and earning $95,226. His grandfather knows he's got plenty of talent -- Palmer says the big-hitting Saunders just needs to put it all together at the same time.

"When I stand there and watch him you wouldn't believe how well he hits it," Palmer said. "It's fantastic and certainly it's just a question of translating that to that golf course right there. ... If he did that, he'd be right there every day and every tournament he plays."

Palmer, who says he would love to caddy for his grandson in a tournament someday, tries to maintain as low a profile as possible when he's watching Saunders play. He understands the pressure his legacy may put on Saunders but he doesn't talk to his grandson about it.

"I don't ask him those questions," Palmer said. "I try to steer clear of that. I think he's very aware of the situation he's in, and I think he'll be able to handle it very well."

Saunders, for his part, says he's gotten used to the near-constant questions about his grandfather, perhaps the most beloved player in the game. "It's part of the deal," he said. "Some day when I play my game it will speak for itself.

Read the full story on PGATOUR.com by Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

Posted by scurry at 06:17 PM

PALMER AWARDED HONORARY DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS

July 14, 2010

ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – Arnold Palmer and fellow golfers Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington were awarded honorary Doctor of Law degrees by the University of St Andrews in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport of golf in front of a capacity audience of 1,000 in Younger Hall.

The University of St. Andrews ceremony was complete with traditional robes, Latin conferment and a bagpipe procession down North Street to St. Salvator's Quad.

The degrees were conferred by University Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell.

Palmer told the audience:

"I'm pleased to be here and thankful for the opportunity to see what I have seen today."

"Little did I think that in 1960 when I told my father and a friend I was coming to the Open and they said ‘really, are you ready?' what might happen 50 years later.

"It is a thrill to be back here and a real honor to be recognized by the University of St Andrews. Walking down the street in St Andrews I feel like I'm at home. Thank you all."

Tom Watson, a five-times Open winner, spoke about how as a youngster he had idolized Arnold Palmer and that the "King" had been the inspiration for his legendary battles with fellow St Andrews graduate Jack Nicklaus.

Turning to Palmer during the ceremony, Watson said: "I want to tell you…The reason I beat Jack all those times was because he beat you too many times Arnold!"

"This is indeed an honor and I'm very humbled to be here in St Andrews. St Andrews University is one of the world's greatest seats of learning. I am just a golfer and I stand here before my idol Arnold Palmer."

When asked about his seventh honorary university degree after the ceremony Palmer said, "This is certainly one that'll be very favored in my collection."

During another interview Mr. Palmer was asked how he was hitting the ball at the moment. His response of "I'm hitting it so well I can hear it land!" had people in roaring in laughter.

Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world.

Posted by scurry at 05:30 PM

PALMER AT ST. ANDREWS

July 07, 2010

ST. ANDREWS – Two-time British Open Champion Arnold Palmer will captain one of the seven teams in the Champions Challenge to be held on the eve of next week's 139th British Open Championship at St Andrews.

The four-hole Champions Challenge will be played over the first, second, 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course on 14 July, with the best individual score at each hole counting as the team score.

Palmer's team consists of former Bay Hill member Ian Baker-Finch, defending Open champion Stewart Cink and long-time Orlando area (Isleworth) resident Mark O'Meara.

The winners will receive a check for £50,000 ($75,480) to be donated to charities of their choice.

"We anticipate a very special occasion," said the organising R&A's director of championships David Hill.

"I am sure all supporters of the Open championship will be excited by the prospect of seeing so many legends of the game."

The day prior, Palmer and two other multiple winners of the British Open will be honored by Scotland’s oldest university and the third oldest in the English speaking world.

Palmer will join fellow American Tom Watson and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington at a ceremony at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, when they will be awarded honorary degrees by the University of St. Andrews in the town’s Younger Hall.

Posted by scurry at 06:08 PM

Big Three reunion for record fundraiser featured on CBS

July 01, 2010

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, who dominated the 1960s and 1970s as golf's "Big Three" and have represented the best the sport has to offer, now lay claim to a record that will impact the lives of deserving children for years to come.

Reuniting on June 8 at The Olde Farm Golf Club in Bristol, Va., for a 19-hole scramble to benefit historic Mountain Mission School in nearby Grundy, they helped raise nearly $15.2 million, a single-day record for any golf tournament. The money will help to establish a sustained endowment for the school, which has sheltered and educated an estimated 20,000 needy children over its 87 years while operating totally from private donations.

This extraordinary day was documented by PGA TOUR Entertainment for The Big Three for Mountain Mission Kids Presented by Johnson & Johnson, a one-hour special that will air on CBS at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, prior to third-round coverage of the John Deere Classic.

Wearing wireless microphones, Nicklaus, Palmer and Player give viewers a taste of their camaraderie and interaction with guests. The event, sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and organized by Grundy native Jim McGlothlin, founder of The Olde Farm, saw participants pay $100,000 to play one hole with the Big Three.

Nicklaus, Palmer and Player have symbolized excellence off the golf course as well as on, each having successful charitable foundations that have helped millions of individuals, mostly youth. At The Olde Farm, they reunited to help an institution that has a history of remarkable successes and inspirational stories by accepting any child with a legitimate need, whether it relates to economics, abuse, family emergencies, home stability or other issues.

The Big Three for Mountain Mission Kids Presented by Johnson & Johnson focuses on Mountain Mission School, which has 230 resident students ages 18 months to 20 years, attending a private school made of grades pre-kindergarten through 12. In recent years, more than 90 percent of the schools graduates have enrolled in colleges. The campus has grown from a single building when it opened in 1921 to the campus it is today, with an educational building, vocational and fine arts building, campus chapel, administration building and three separate residences for girls, four residences for boys and a toddler hall for boys and girls.

Posted by scurry at 06:34 PM

ARNOLD PALMER TO SERVE AS HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF 2010 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN AT OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB

June 22, 2010

OAKMONT, PA – The United States Golf Association and Oakmont Country Club announced today that western Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer has been named the honorary chairman of the 65th U.S. Women's Open, to be held at Oakmont Country Club from July 5-11, 2010.

"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.

-30-

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

Posted by scurry at 10:14 AM

ARNOLD PALMER ATTENDS THE ANNUAL U.S. OPEN ROLEX DINNER

June 14, 2010

PEBBLE BEACH, CA – For more than 30 years, Arnold Palmer has made an appearance for Rolex at their annual U.S. Open dinner for partners and guests, which is somewhere at or near the famous event on the Monday night of Open week.

This year the dinner will be staged at the Beach Club at Pebble Beach and hosted by Allen Brill, President and CEO of Rolex USA.

During the last few years, Jim Nantz has emceed the event and conducted a conversation with Palmer to entertain guests.

"Rolex is one of my long-standing partners and I look forward to the event each and every year." said Palmer.

"Being on the board at Pebble Beach and working on the course for this year's Open makes it even that more special."

Posted by scurry at 05:30 PM

Big 3 reunite to raise more than $15 Million for Mountain Mission

June 09, 2010

BRISTOL, Va. -- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have set many records over the course of their Hall of Fame careers, but what happened on Tuesday at The Olde Farm Golf Club will be hard to top.

"The Big 3" came together to help raise $15,149,183.98 in The Big 3® for the Mountain Mission Kids sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, a 19-hole scramble event in which they competed against 19 different teams of three amateur players for the benefit of the Mountain Mission School.

"The Big 3" won the competition with a 10-under 63 defeating the amateur teams by three strokes, but the real winner was Mountain Mission School. The $15.1 million raised is the most ever by a golf tournament in a single day.

"What happened here today is very special and this is a historic occasion," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem on Tuesday. "The efforts of Jim McGlothin, Johnson & Johnson, the membership of The Olde Farm and especially 'The Big 3' really epitomize what we mean when we say that Together, anything's possible."

The Big 3® for the Mountain Mission Kids, sanctioned by the PGA TOUR, was organized by Grundy native Jim McGlothlin, founder of The Olde Farm and a longtime benefactor of the school.

"To be able to do this is a testament to the hard work of a lot of dedicated people," said McGlothlin. "It is very rewarding to be able to make this donation to the Mountain Mission School. The work they do there is incredible and is making a huge difference in the lives of many kids."

"I am very happy to thank all of you who have made such a wonderful contribution," said Palmer. "It was a privilege and honor to be here today."

"The day was spectacular," said Nicklaus. "We go to a lot of places and we raise a lot of money, but I have never seen a group that has absolutely been as philanthropic as you."

"There was great enthusiasm that took place here today," said Player. "This is a country of giving back. I've been coming back for 55 years and people are always giving back. It's such a fantastic thing."

Historic Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Va., which has sheltered and educated an estimated 20,000 needy children over its 87 years, will receive substantial support from the event. The school operates entirely from private donations and today's efforts will help establish a sustained endowment for Mountain Mission School.

Mountain Mission School is a non-profit institution that has 230 resident students ages 18 months to 20 years, attending a private school made of grades pre-kindergarten through 12. In recent years, more than 90 percent of the schools graduates have enrolled in colleges.

The campus has grown from a single building when it opened in 1921 to the campus it is today, with an educational building, vocational and fine arts building, campus chapel, administration building and three separate residences for girls, four residences for boys and a toddler hall for boys and girls under the age of seven.

A one-hour special about the Mountain Mission School and The Big 3® for the Mountain Mission Kids will air Saturday, July 10 from 2-3:00 p.m. ET prior to the third-round telecast of the PGA TOUR's John Deere Classic on CBS.

To find out more about The Big 3® for the Mountain Mission Kids and how you can help, log onto PGATOUR.COM/Together or to make a donation directly through PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. to support Mountain Mission School click here.

Posted by scurry at 03:26 PM

Big 3 Golf Legends Palmer, Nicklaus, Player Team Up for Charity Event at The Olde Farm

May 28, 2010

BRISTOL, VA. - Three of the world's renowned golf legends are coming to Bristol, Va., this summer to join forces and raise money for children attending Mountain Mission School, located in Grundy, Va. On June 8, The Olde Farm will host golf's Big 3, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, in a charity event to benefit the children and establish a sustained endowment for Mountain Mission School.

The Big 3 for Mountain Mission Kids, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, is a unique, one-day golf event featuring a 19-hole scramble match pairing Nicklaus, Palmer and Player competing with three different amateur sponsor teams on each hole.

The Olde Farm club grounds will open at 9 a.m. on June 8, with introductions and a Big 3 warm up beginning at 12:30 p.m. The 19- hole scramble kicks off at 1 p.m., concluding at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation ceremony on the 19th hole.

Tickets are available for the June 8 event by visiting www.thebig3forthekids.com, calling 276-669-1042 or e-mail Ajessee@theoldefarm.com.

Posted by scurry at 12:11 PM

GREATER PITTSBURGH GOLF PREMIERE AT PALMER'S LATROBE COUNTRY CLUB TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

May 20, 2010

LATROBE, PA – On Monday June 7, Arnold Palmer will be the Premiere Honoree for the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Premiere which raises funds for the Western Pennsylvania Region of the American Cancer Society.

The upscale golf outing and dinner will be hosted at Mr. Palmer's summer home course Latrobe Country Club.

The event is the second Western PA Premiere. The first in 2009 was at Sewickley Heights CC in Pittsburgh and it honored Pittsburgh TV news anchor Peggy Finnegan and the area's most famous and successful woman amateur golfer Carol Semple Thompson.

The 2010 event is expected to raise more than the $130,000 made in 2009.

Posted by scurry at 05:15 PM

PALMER TO RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREE FROM UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS

May 11, 2010

ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – Arnold Palmer and two other multiple winners of the British Open will be honored by Scotland’s oldest university on the eve of the 139th Open Championship at St. Andrews. Palmer will join fellow American Tom Watson and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington at a ceremony on Tuesday, July 13, when they will be awarded honorary degrees by the University of St. Andrews in the town’s Younger Hall.

The University will award the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of their achievements and outstanding contributions to the game of golf.

The awards ceremony - a traditional feature of Open Week in St Andrews - will take place at 3 p.m. on July 13th in the University's graduation venue at Younger Hall in North Street, St Andrews.

The degrees will be conferred by University Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell.

Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the ceremony. Tickets are free and interest may be registered by email to golfgrad@st-andrews.ac.uk

University Principal Dr Louise Richardson said : "Individually and collectively, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington exemplify excellence, drive and achievement at the highest levels of professional sport."

"This will be an opportunity for St Andrews and Scotland to honour their determination and achievement in the game of golf and the pursuit of excellence. We are absolutely delighted that they have agreed to accept these Honorary Degrees at the home of golf on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship."

Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world.

The University is one of Europe's most research intensive seats of learning. It is one of the world's top rated for research, teaching quality and student satisfaction and is consistently ranked among the UK's top five universities.

Previous recipients of Honorary Degrees from St Andrews include golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson and Peter Allis. All have been invited to this year's ceremony to witness their fellow professionals receive their degrees.

Posted by scurry at 09:09 AM

PALMER ATTENDS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF QUAIL HOLLOW

May 04, 2010

CHARLOTTE, NC – Golf legend Arnold Palmer will be attending a dinner honoring the 50th anniversary of Quail Hollow Club on May 6. Palmer was personally invited by his long-time close friend John Harris.

The club has hosted a number of PGA TOUR events - Kemper Open '69-79; World Seniors Invitational '80-89 and the TOUR returned to Quail Hollow in 2004. The 2010 championship will have been played the week before the anniversary celebration.

The course was originally designed by golf course architect George Cobb in 1961 to capture the beauty as well as challenging terrain of the Piedmont region.

From 1985 to 1986, Palmer and his golf course design company made modifications to holes 3, 7, 9, and 17.

Palmer, a long-time Quail Hollow member, has many friends at the club and for years had a home on the 15th hole. Palmer was part owner of the city's only Cadillac dealerships for many years and his name remains on the dealership through a licensing agreement to this day.

"I'm looking forward to catching up with a lot of my old friends." said Palmer.

Posted by scurry at 04:34 PM

ARNOLD PALMER PRESENTS JIM NANTZ WITH THE 2009 NATIONAL SPORTSCASTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

May 03, 2010

SALISBURY, NC – May 3, 2010, golf legend Arnold Palmer presented Jim Nantz with the 2009 National Sportscaster of the Year award in Salisbury, NC. The award is given by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

"He's been a friend, a great broadcaster and a great guy. Jim has been so good to the sports industry and the golf industry." said Palmer in his speech.

This marks the fifth time and third consecutive year, Jim will be honored with this prestigious award (1998, 2005, 2007 and 2008).

"He's very special to me," Nantz explained. "And when I won this award I called him and said, 'Arnold, I would give anything if you would come to Salisbury on May 3 and present the National Sportscaster of the Year Award to me.' I expected him to say something like, 'I'll check the calendar.' But he said, 'I'll be there.' It took him a millisecond to say yes. That's Arnold Palmer."

At the NSSA Awards Dinner, Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe will receive the National Sportswriter of the Year award; baseball's Peter Gammons and football's John Madden will be inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportwriters Association Hall of Fame.

Posted by scurry at 06:29 AM

PALMER ATTENDS 2010 KENTUCKY DERBY

April 23, 2010

LOUISVILLE, KY – Golf legend Arnold Palmer and his wife Kit will be attending, for the first time ever, the 136th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the USA's oldest thoroughbred horse races which first began in 1875.

The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner.

"I'm pretty excited to attend this event so steeped in American tradition." said Palmer.

"My wife Kit has good Irish luck. Maybe she'll pick the winner."

Posted by scurry at 04:39 PM

Arnold Palmer named honorary chairman of Mylan Classic

April 12, 2010

CANONSBURG, Pa. -- One of Western Pennsylvania's most prominent and respected native sons, Arnold Palmer, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman for the inaugural playing of his home state's new Nationwide Tour event, the Mylan Classic presented by CONSOL Energy.

The 2010 Mylan Classic will be played Sept. 2-5 at Southpointe Golf Club in the Pittsburgh suburb of Canonsburg, preceded by a pro-am on Sept. 1. All four rounds will be televised on Golf Channel in the U.S., with the event reaching 123 countries overseas.

"I gladly accepted this offer when approached by Rod Piatt," said Palmer. "I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the Nationwide Tour and the significant impact it has on the PGA TOUR. Now in its 21st year, the Tour has done much to advance the level of competition in professional golf and prepare many of the sport's most talented young players for life on the PGA TOUR. I congratulate Mylan and key supporting sponsors CONSOL Energy and Dick's Sporting Goods for bringing this wonderful event to the golf fans of Western Pennsylvania. I hope they come out in big numbers to support the tournament."

"Having Mr. Palmer's support of the inaugural Mylan Classic at Southpointe is a true honor and I know that all of the golf fans in Western Pennsylvania are proud to have such a goodwill ambassador of golf associated with this exciting event," said Rod Piatt, who is Mylan Classic Co-Chairman along with Jeff Kotula of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Added Mylan Chairman and CEO Robert J. Coury, "We feel truly privileged that Arnold Palmer will be participating in the Mylan Classic in this very special way. While his golf career has certainly been nothing short of legendary, his reputation for helping to raise funds for numerous charitable organizations is just as impressive. He is the perfect Honorary Chairman for an event that combines the celebration of golf with the desire to give back to our local community and its charities."

"Arnold Palmer is synonymous with golf in Western Pennsylvania and has been for 60 years," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "It is very fitting that he lend his name and reputation to help launch the Nationwide Tour's Mylan Classic in what amounts to his backyard. Mr. Palmer has always been very supportive of the Nationwide Tour and we can't thank him enough for providing his seal of approval to this new tournament."

Palmer was born and raised in Latrobe, Pa., about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. The 1974 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee spends his summer months in his beloved Latrobe and plays regularly at Latrobe Country Club, which he owns and operates.

Palmer is a self-professed fan of the Nationwide Tour, and his grandson, Sam Saunders, who aspires to play on the PGA TOUR, made his national professional debut last September at the Nationwide Tour's Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft in Idaho.

Posted by scurry at 03:22 PM

PALMER DRAINS 65-FOOT PUTT AT THE 2010 MASTERS PAR-3 TOURNAMENT

April 10, 2010

Four-time Masters Champion Arnold Palmer hit the first tee shot of the 74th Masters Tournament Thursday morning with his longtime friend and competitor Jack Nicklaus.

Joining Palmer and Nicklaus on Wednesday for the Par-3 Tournament was Gary Player, completing golf's legendary "Big 3".

The Par-3 Tournament is a Masters tradition that gives golfers a chance to relax with their families on the day before the major event.

The first tee held much fanfare with the legends having a jovial time, each taking a mulligan.

On the 9th hole of the Par-3 Tournament Palmer drained a 65-foot snake. "The putt made my week." said Palmer. The beautiful line conjured up over 50 years of memories, most especially those from 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964 when Palmer won his green jackets.

During the press conference Palmer was asked How do you feel about the reception you get walking from the clubhouse all the way to the tee box and the fans just adore you?

"Well, that's wonderful and it's a great feeling and just typifies Augusta and what happens here, the politeness of the crowds, it's just overwhelming. I look forward to it. I think about it before I get here, I get nervous, even now, and I'm not playing anymore. So you know what it was like when I was playing."

For live coverage of the 74th Annual Masters Event visit www.masters.com.

Posted by scurry at 10:30 AM

PALMER AT THE 2010 MASTERS

April 07, 2010

Arnold Palmer’s string of consecutive playing appearances in the Masters Tournament ended at 50 when he competed for a final time in the 2004 championship, but Arnold Palmer will be in Augusta, Georgia, again this April, a stop he has made every year since 1955.

As he does every year, Palmer attended the Champions Dinner on Tuesday in the historic Augusta National clubhouse. Angel Cabrerra, the defending champion, hosted the dinner, at which virtually all of the living former winners of the classic event, playing or non-playing, gathered.

Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. EST on ESPN, Palmer will play the annual Par 3 event with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Palmer serves as the Honorary Starter on Thursday, April 8 at 8:00 a.m. EST and joining him this year will be his long-time rival and friend Jack Nicklaus, each hitting tee shots on the first tee to launch the 2010 Masters. Palmer is the sixth person to serve as Honorary Starter in the long history of the Masters, which began in 1934. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod inaugurated the role in 1963. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 and Ken Venturi filled in for Nelson in 1983. Sam Snead joined Nelson and Sarazen in 1984. The position was vacant since Snead died following the 2002 Masters until the 2007 event when Palmer assumed the role for the first time.

"As you know, Augusta is one of my favorite places and the Masters has meant so much to me personally throughout my career. I have always been treated so warmly there by the patrons. I hope in some way I can show my gratitude to the fans who have followed and supported me these many years” said Palmer. "It's an extra pleasure to have my old friend Jack joining me on the first tee this year."

Posted by scurry at 11:14 AM

2010 ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD - FINAL LEADERBOARD RESULTS

March 29, 2010

Final leaderboard results of the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard

	Pos	Start	Player		Overall	Today		R1	R2	R3	R4	Total
	1.	1	Els, Ernie		-11	-1		68	69	69	71	277
	2.	4	Molinari, Edoardo		-9	-3		70	70	70	69	279
	2.	4	Na, Kevin		-9	-3		68	70	72	69	279
	4.	3	Couch, Chris		-8	-1		70	70	69	71	280
	4.	6	Goosen, Retief		-8	-3		71	67	73	69	280
	6.	2	Curtis, Ben		-7	+2		70	67	70	74	281
	7.	12	Hayes, J.P.		-6	-2		70	72	70	70	282
	7.	12	Imada, Ryuji		-6	-2		73	70	69	70	282
	7.	6	Streelman, Kevin		-6	-1		68	75	68	71	282
	7.	12	Trahan, D.J.		-6	-2		69	68	75	70	282
	11.	6	Furyk, Jim		-4	+1		71	74	66	73	284
	11.	6	Lamely, Derek		-4	+1		71	70	70	73	284
	11.	12	Marino, Steve		-4	E		70	70	72	72	284
	14.	16	Allenby, Robert		-3	E		68	73	72	72	285
	14.	6	Love III, Davis		-3	+2		66	71	74	74	285
	14.	32	Van Pelt, Bo		-3	-2		72	70	73	70	285
	17.	23	Baird, Briny		-2	E		72	72	70	72	286
	17.	16	Choi, K.J.		-2	+1		71	69	73	73	286
	17.	16	Haas, Bill		-2	+1		72	71	70	73	286
	17.	46	Points, D.A.		-2	-3		73	72	72	69	286
	21.	46	Holmes, J.B.		-1	-2		66	74	77	70	287
	21.	32	Howell III, Charles		-1	E		72	72	71	72	287
	21.	23	O'Hair, Sean		-1	+1		70	73	71	73	287
	24.	56	Davis, Brian		E	-2		74	71	73	70	288
	25.	41	Crane, Ben		+1	+1		69	74	73	73	289
	25.	23	Day, Jason		+1	+3		71	70	73	75	289
	25.	59	Mahan, Hunter		+1	-2		71	73	75	70	289
	25.	32	Senden, John		+1	+2		71	74	70	74	289
	25.	6	Weekley, Boo		+1	+6		70	73	68	78	289
	30.	32	Ames, Stephen		+2	+3		73	71	71	75	290
	30.	23	Appleby, Stuart		+2	+4		70	74	70	76	290
	30.	59	Clark, Tim		+2	-1		74	70	75	71	290
	30.	41	Compton, Erik		+2	+2		72	71	73	74	290
	30.	46	Kelly, Jerry		+2	+1		71	74	72	73	290
	30.	16	Mickelson, Phil		+2	+5		71	67	75	77	290
	30.	16	Petrovic, Tim		+2	+5		74	68	71	77	290
	30.	59	Sabbatini, Rory		+2	-1		75	70	74	71	290
	30.	23	Snedeker, Brandt		+2	+4		72	72	70	76	290
	30.	32	Verplank, Scott		+2	+3		75	70	70	75	290
	40.	23	Green, Nathan		+3	+5		69	73	72	77	291
	40.	32	Ishikawa, Ryo		+3	+4		74	70	71	76	291
	40.	16	Johnson, Dustin		+3	+6		71	70	72	78	291
	40.	32	Leishman, Marc		+3	+4		70	73	72	76	291
	40.	16	McNeill, George		+3	+6		69	71	73	78	291
	40.	59	Molder, Bryce		+3	E		74	70	75	72	291
	40.	56	Moore, Ryan		+3	+1		72	72	74	73	291
	40.	32	Pampling, Rod		+3	+4		74	70	71	76	291
	40.	46	Perez, Pat		+3	+2		69	74	74	74	291
	40.	46	Weir, Mike		+3	+2		67	73	77	74	291
	50.	59	Fowler, Rickie		+4	+1		73	72	74	73	292
	50.	66	Saunders, Sam		+4	E		73	70	77	72	292
	52.	41	Blanks, Kris		+5	+5		74	69	73	77	293
	52.	23	Every, Matt		+5	+7		74	70	70	79	293
	52.	67	Herron, Tim		+5	E		73	72	76	72	293
	52.	23	Montgomerie, Colin		+5	+7		72	71	71	79	293
	52.	46	Schwartzel, Charl		+5	+4		74	71	72	76	293
	52.	41	Stenson, Henrik		+5	+5		67	78	71	77	293
	52.	59	Stricker, Steve		+5	+2		69	71	79	74	293
	59.	41	Cink, Stewart		+6	+6		73	72	71	78	294
	59.	46	Pettersson, Carl		+6	+5		71	73	73	77	294
	59.	59	Sutherland, Kevin		+6	+3		70	73	76	75	294
	62.	46	DiMarco, Chris		+7	+6		69	73	75	78	295
	62.	67	Ogilvie, Joe		+7	+2		76	66	79	74	295
	64.	46	Byrd, Jonathan		+8	+7		71	73	73	79	296
	64.	56	Watney, Nick		+8	+6		74	71	73	78	296
	66.	74	Barnes, Ricky		+9	E		72	71	82	72	297
	66.	32	Chopra, Daniel		+9	+10		74	71	70	82	297
	66.	23	Dufner, Jason		+9	+11		69	72	73	83	297
	66.	73	Goydos, Paul		+9	+1		70	72	82	73	297
	66.	46	Slocum, Heath		+9	+8		69	72	76	80	297
	71.	67	Immelman, Trevor		+10	+5		71	74	76	77	298
	71.	67	Kendall, Skip		+10	+5		73	71	77	77	298
	73.	74	Willis, Garrett		+11	+2		72	73	80	74	299
	74.	72	Laird, Martin		+12	+5		74	71	78	77	300
	75.	71	Teater, Josh		+14	+8		72	71	79	80	302
The following Players failed to make the Cut: +1
		76	Collins, Chad		CUT			72	74	-	-	146
		76	Hansen, Anders		CUT			73	73	-	-	146
		76	Janzen, Lee		CUT			76	70	-	-	146
		76	Jones, Matt		CUT			71	75	-	-	146
		76	Lee, Danny		CUT			75	71	-	-	146
		76	Main, Gregor		CUT			76	70	-	-	146
		76	Mallinger, John		CUT			72	74	-	-	146
		76	McCarron, Scott		CUT			76	70	-	-	146
		76	Perry, Kenny		CUT			73	73	-	-	146
		76	Stadler, Kevin		CUT			74	72	-	-	146
		86	Gamez, Robert		CUT			76	71	-	-	147
		86	Gay, Brian		CUT			74	73	-	-	147
		86	Gore, Jason		CUT			74	73	-	-	147
		86	Johnson, Zach		CUT			71	76	-	-	147
		86	Mayfair, Billy		CUT			77	70	-	-	147
		86	McDowell, Graeme		CUT			71	76	-	-	147
		86	Mediate, Rocco		CUT			73	74	-	-	147
		86	Prugh, Alex		CUT			74	73	-	-	147
		86	Quigley, Brett		CUT			74	73	-	-	147
		86	Rollins, John		CUT			70	77	-	-	147
		86	Stuard, Brian		CUT			77	70	-	-	147
		86	Taylor, Vaughn		CUT			72	75	-	-	147
		86	Watson, Bubba		CUT			76	71	-	-	147
		86	Wilson, Mark		CUT			70	77	-	-	147
		100	Rose, Justin		CUT			75	73	-	-	148
		101	Duval, David		CUT			73	76	-	-	149
		101	Funk, Fred		CUT			75	74	-	-	149
		101	Gillis, Tom		CUT			75	74	-	-	149
		101	Ikeda, Yuta		CUT			76	73	-	-	149
		101	Simpson, Webb		CUT			73	76	-	-	149
		101	Toms, David		CUT			71	78	-	-	149
		107	An, Byeong-Hun		CUT			77	73	-	-	150
		107	De Jonge, Brendon		CUT			76	74	-	-	150
		107	Flesch, Steve		CUT			77	73	-	-	150
		107	Magee, Andrew		CUT			76	74	-	-	150
		107	Villegas, Camilo		CUT			77	73	-	-	150
		107	Wi, Charlie		CUT			78	72	-	-	150
		113	Allen, Michael		CUT			72	79	-	-	151
		113	Matteson, Troy		CUT			79	72	-	-	151
		113	Owen, Greg		CUT			77	74	-	-	151
		113	Palmer, Ryan		CUT			74	77	-	-	151
		117	Lovemark, Jamie		CUT			75	79	-	-	154
		118	Campbell, Michael		CUT			80	81	-	-	161
		118	Keymont, Mike		CUT			84	77	-	-	161
		94	Elkington, Steve		WD			75	-	-	-	75

Posted by scurry at 03:38 PM

Philosophical Differences: The New Bay Hill Course

March 24, 2010

By JEFF BABINEAU - Golfweek Custom Media

In September of last year, Arnold Palmer was at Bay Hill to help re-open the club that has been part of his life for four-plus decades after its significant summer renovation. The greens have been re-graded and now feature new Emerald Bermudagrass, and the bunkering around the nearly 7,400-yard layout has been redone and altered dramatically. Mainly, whereas the old Bay Hill was known for lots of subtle, hidden bunkering, the renovation brings the new bunkering front and center before the golfer. It’s sure to get the pros’ attention.

Palmer and the folks at Bay Hill have undergone a philosophical change when it comes to the tournament as well. Mainly, let the players shoot what they’re going to shoot in relation to par. In the past, the fourth and 16th holes, which play as par 5s for members, have been transformed into somewhat awkward par 4s during tournament week, making Bay Hill a par 70.

Thus, when Tiger Woods made a dramatic, curling birdie putt at 18 to capture his sixth Bay Hill title last March and shoot 275, he was listed at only 5 under.
“Our purpose has changed a little,” Palmer said. “Par 4s to par 5s, we’re going to rethink that...with the thinking that the galleries enjoy seeing the players make birdies. We’re going to par 72 and give them an opportunity to make birdies.”

The change at 16 had been somewhat controversial, altering a hole where players once could move up the leaderboard on Sundays with eagles and birdies. Some of the biggest moments in the tournament’s history happened there.

“It was a little bit debatable. I think there’s a risk/reward situation there (at 16),” Palmer said. “If I can keep them on the back of that tee, it will still be somewhat of a challenge. Fact is, it will be fun watching guys coming down the stretch.”

Roughs around the greens have been cut to shorter lengths, allowing more chipping (and possibly putting) options for players, and the new greens feature not only many more possible hole locations, but many more runoff areas. One other significant change could come at the 425-yard, dogleg-right 15th hole, where players could possibly tee off from the 11th tee, across Bay Hill Boulevard. With the new tee, the hole would play at roughly 460 yards and bring reshaped fairway bunkers more into play.

“I don’t think the PGA Tour will put it there,” he said of the 15th tee moving across the road, an idea sparked by Erik Larsen of the Palmer Design Group. Palmer added with a sly grin, “It’s their call. If they choose to, I’ll support it 100 percent.”

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Bay Hill Changes in Summary

Greens -- Every green has been redesigned and rebuilt except for No. 18, which was just rebuilt. Slopes were flattened out around the edges to make all corners available for hole locations, which was not an option in the past.

Bunkers -- Fairway and greenside bunkers were all redesigned and relocated closer to the greens or fairways to be more of a strategic figure than in the past. Forward edges have also been lowered so that players will be able to see the bunkers better. New hole locations will bring greenside bunkers more into play.

Tees -- All the tees have been redone. The main changes in regards to positioning include the No. 2 tee being moved about 8-9 yards to the right, the No. 4 tee pushed farther back as the hole will now play as a par-5, and the opportunity to play a new tee across the road on No. 15.

Pond Banks -- The pond banks at No. 3 and No. 6 were excavated and the mucky material was replaced to create a firmer stance. The pond bank on No. 6 was enlarged by 8-10 yards and the grass bank was beefed up to be approximately 1-2 feet above the water. The fairway line did not change but whereas there was approximately 40-50 feet of rough on the right-hand side, there is now approximately 10-12 feet of rough.

Posted by scurry at 04:31 PM

READY TO SHOWCASE REVAMPED BAY HILL

March 03, 2010

With his prized course upgraded, Arnold Palmer eager for the latest edition of tournament that bears his name

Arnold Palmer reached age 80 in September, but as much as he enjoyed the celebrations marking the occasion, golf’s legendary King admits that the rebirth of his prized layout, the Championship Course at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, was a much more enjoyable experience last autumn.

Palmer oversaw a major renovation of Bay Hill, the renowned course in Orlando, Florida, that he has owned for four decades and which has hosted a PGA TOUR event since 1979, and he is eager to see the game’s best players take on his remodeled creation when the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard returns for its 32nd edition March 22-28.

“We’re all very excited for this year’s tournament and to have the players come here and play the golf course and see what we’ve done,” Palmer said with noted enthusiasm as he talked about the upgrades to a course already considered one of the great ball-striking tests in golf. We’ve had numerous players come in here already and play the golf course, and the reaction we’ve gotten is very good. We think it’s going to be an exciting week of golf.”

While Palmer assures that the ball-striking examination has not been altered appreciably at Bay Hill, the course is in every way strengthened, starting with new tees and greens. Bunkers have been repositioned throughout and the length of the layout has been stretched modestly to clock in at 7,381 yards. The most noticeable change to the layout is that the bunkers, while repositioned, also have been made more visible, with their sculpted faces pulled to the tops of mounds. Flanking bunkers have been replaced by more offset traps, while bunkers around the greens have been tucked closer to the putting surfaces. Finally, many of the greens feature runoff areas where once rough or bunkers were in play, providing new short-game challenges.

While those tweaks might signal a change in philosophy, Palmer will tell you it merely strengthens the intrinsic value of the course that already was in place.

“We haven’t changed the bottom line on what the golf course is, what the shot values are, but a lot of holes we’ve actually strengthened in that regard,” Palmer says. “We’ve created some tougher pin positions, too. We looked at ways to make improvements and make it more challenging. It’s just all-around a better golf course and one that should provide a strong, fair test.”

One more adjustment that Palmer made was restoring tournament par to 72 after a three-year trial playing the Championship Course at par-70. The par-five fourth and 16th holes were converted to par-fours strictly for the tournament, but Palmer decided that he’d rather see the contestants go for scoring, perhaps in the manner that he used to do in his prime. “We’ve decided it’s more fun to see the guys go out and try to make birdies and eagles than to see them maybe settling for pars or putting up other scores.”

One of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world, and it boasts an impressive array of winners, including six-time champion Tiger Woods and other recent winners such as Chad Campbell, Ernie Els, Paul Goydos, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, and Vijay Singh.

Palmer says that he has enjoyed watching the early portion of the golf season unfold and seeing a mixture of young and established players excel on the West Coast. He believes the game remains on a solid foundation. “I think the TOUR is holding its own; it’s doing well,” he says. “I’ve talked to (PGA TOUR commissioner) Tim Finchem, and it’s encouraging what’s happening out there. The consistency of the TOUR is good, and the players are showing continued good play. I think we’re going to see more young people do well.”

While golf is still a passion for Palmer, he finds that other causes occupy more of his time is occupied, causes that take on ever greater importance as the years pass and are near and dear to him. “I’m very involved in the Arnold Palmer Medical Center here, and we’re very happy with what’s happening there. I’m also quite involved in cancer research, and we’re doing a lot of work along those lines. That is something very, very important to me,” Palmer says. “We’re also working with Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson, various medical centers … and all of that is keeping me busy, and I like that. I like doing all of that.

“Golf, well, it’s not the big thing on my list anymore,” the King adds. “It’s in my rearview mirror for the most part as far as me playing a great deal. But I’ll always have golf in me. I can’t bring it out like I used to, but it’s always in there, and it’s always a part of the things that I do and enjoy.”

For tickets to the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

-30-

Media Contact:
Bev Norwood
bnorwood@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Posted by scurry at 12:36 PM

PALMER HONORED AT THE GRAND RE-OPENING OF THE WEST PALM BEACH GOLF COURSE

November 11, 2009

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Arnold Palmer will hit the ceremonial tee shot to officially re-open the historic West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course on Monday, November 16th after a 7-month restoration. The Grand Re-Opening will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s 1959 victory at the West Palm Beach Open Invitational, which was a regular stop for the PGA in the 50’s and 60’s and will host a Celebrity Pro-Am to support local charities.

West Palm Beach Golf Course, formerly known as the West Palm Beach Country Club, was originally established in 1921. It was moved to its present location in 1947, and it's Dick Wilson designed 18-hole, par-72, 6,759 yard championship course has been a staple for local golfers for generations.

The restored West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course emphasizes Dick Wilson’s original vision. The most notable change is the removal of non-indigenous vegetation and the framing of fairways with vast expanses natural white sandy terrain. With new grass throughout, extended tees, uncommon elevations and subtle undulations, this restored course will be a popular golf destination.

"I'm glad to see this wonderful course restored for the golfers of West Palm Beach." said Palmer.

November 16 will start in Palmer style with complimentary "Arnold Palmer" beverages at 9 a.m. at the Champions Breakfast for the participants, pros, celebrities, dignitaries, sponsors and their guests, followed by the Golf Tournament. Activities for spectators include a putting contest with a $10,000 Grand Prize opportunity, the LPGA Front Row Experience, a Ronald McDonald House Charities Junior Clinic and hourly prize giveaways. The tournament will be followed by a reception and silent auction. There will be shuttle service available to handle the demand for parking.

Also scheduled to attend: Mark McCumber, Solheim Cup Captains Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins, and other PGA and LPGA players.

The new golf course opens for public play on the following day, Tuesday November 17th.

Posted by scurry at 06:02 PM

PALMER PRESENTS FRIEND PRESIDENT EISENHOWER AT WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

November 02, 2009

St. Augustine, FL – Arnold Palmer was on hand to present his friend President Dwight D. Eisenhower posthumously into the World Golf Hall of Fame, making him the first president to join the organization in the Lifetime Achievement category. Other new members of the Hall will be 1977 PGA Championship winner Lanny Wadkins; two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal; and Christy O'Connor, who won 24 times on the European Tour.

Palmer and Eisenhower had a long and storied friendship that began at Palmer's first Masters win in Augusta Georgia in 1958. "He was not only a great president and a great general but a great person. He was a guy who you could relate to, a regular guy on the golf course and a regular guy, period. We became very close friends almost immediately." said Palmer.

Eisenhower is undoubtedly one of the most revered and influential presidents in American history and his public love of golf during the span of his presidency is why the sport received a massive boost in popularity. This was due to the national press dutifully reporting on his 29 trips to Augusta during his presidency and the more than 1,000 days of golf he played, according to his daily itinerary. The number of Americans who played golf doubled while Eisenhower was in office from 1953 to 1961, according to "First Off The Tee," a book on U.S. presidents who played golf.

"One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who did more to popularize the game of golf, not only in the United States but throughout the world, than President Eisenhower," Palmer said. "His passion for the game was the inspiration for literally millions of people picking up the game. To have the average person read about Ike and his golf and his enjoyment of the game gave golf one of the greatest shots in the arm it ever got."

Since they played often together, Palmer and Eisenhower were a powerful mixture - a President, a King, The Masters and the advent of golf on television, ultimately launching the game into popularity.

"President Eisenhower received many honors in his life, but I think he would have really enjoyed this one."

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Related Stories

• World Golf Hall of Fame: President Eisenhower Profile | Arnold Palmer Profile
• USA Today: Palmer presents Ike into World Golf Hall of Fame
• Washington Times: Golf world honors Ike with spot in Hall
• Kingdom Magazine: Ike and I
• Kingdom Magazine: All the Man's Presidents

Posted by scurry at 05:19 PM

PALMER WELCOMES NICKLAUS AS HONORARY MASTERS CO-STARTER

September 01, 2009

Jack Nicklaus will join his long-time competitor and friend Arnold Palmer at the upcoming 2010 Masters, which takes place April 8 to 11, at Augusta National to serve as the honorary co-starters. The two legends have a shared a long and storied career at Augusta, Palmer winning 4 times in his 50 consecutive years and Nicklaus winning 6 times in his 45 years.

Palmer is the sixth person, in 2007 and 2008, to serve as Honorary Starter in the long history of the Masters, which began in 1934. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod inaugurated the role in 1963. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 and Ken Venturi filled in for Nelson in 1983. Sam Snead joined Nelson and Sarazen in 1984. The position has been vacant since Snead died following the 2002 Masters.

“I am very happy to have Jack join me as an honorary starter. It has been a pleasure to have been a part of this special tradition at the Masters these last couple of years and it’s certainly appropriate that Jack become a part of that tradition, given his great record at Augusta National. I welcome having my long-time good friend and competitor with me next year on the first tee.” said Palmer.

Posted by scurry at 03:41 PM

Arnold Palmer to Speak at Opening General Session for NBAA2009

National Business Aviation Association Washington, DC, August 31, 2009 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that golf legend and esteemed businessman Arnold Palmer will be among the participants in the Opening General Session for NBAA’s 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention this October (NBAA2009).

“We're very excited to include Arnold Palmer among the speakers at this year’s Convention,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Arnold is recognized around the world not just as a renowned golf professional, but also as a highly successful businessman who has long relied on business aviation as part of building his company. We look forward to hearing his first-hand perspective on how business aviation helps him succeed.”

Palmer’s storied career as a professional golfer includes a host of championships in national and international competitions. The Latrobe, PA native continues to travel extensively from his hometown in support of his many business interests, and much of the time, Palmer personally flies a Cessna Citation X to meet his business demands.

The essential role of business aviation in providing a transportation lifeline to towns like Latrobe has been a central theme in the No Plane No Gain campaign, which is jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Palmer and other Convention speakers will highlight the messages put forward by No Plane No Gain, to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the many ways business aviation serves citizens, companies and communities across the U.S.

NBAA's Convention will be held in Orlando, FL, from October 20 to 22 at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Executive Airport.

Joining Palmer for the Convention’s Opening General Session will be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator J. Randolph “Randy” Babbitt, and Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard, who owns and pilots a Cirrus SR22 for business.

A primary focus for the Convention will be a new Light Business Airplane (LBA) Conference designed to help concept buyers understand the considerations involved in purchasing a new airplane, as well as sessions to help NBAA Members quantify and communicate the value of their business aircraft. For more information, visit NBAA’s dedicated LBA web site: www.nbaa.org/lba.

Posted by scurry at 12:04 PM

Arnold Palmer Hospital Celebrates 20 Years of Caring

August 31, 2009

The hospital turns 20 on the 80^th birthday of its legendary namesake Arnold Palmer

August 31, 2009 (Orlando, FL) -- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children will celebrate its 20^th birthday on September 10, coinciding with its legendary namesake, Arnold Palmer's 80^th birthday. For the past 20 years Arnold Palmer Hospital has been providing advanced, highly specialized medical care to children and women from across Central Florida and the world. To commemorate this milestone birthday, several celebration events are planned throughout the month of September including a community leader breakfast hosted by the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and hospital visit by Arnold Palmer (September 4), a VIP 80^th Birthday dinner for Arnold Palmer hosted by Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando® (September 5) and a community block party (September 26). For more information, log on to www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com/birthday.

"We are honored to be celebrating 20 years of caring along side Arnold Palmer as he celebrates his 80^th birthday. We are extremely appreciative of all he and his family have done for the babies, children and women here in Central Florida and beyond," said John Bozard, president, Arnold Palmer Medical Center. "Through his generosity and those of others thousands of lives have been touched over the past 20 years and we look forward to continuing the Palmer legacy of caring for many years to come."

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children opened its doors on September 10, 1989, as Central Florida's first freestanding children and women's hospital. The 281-bed facility offered pediatric, obstetric and women's services all in one facility and was built to accommodate 6,500 births. Over the past 20 years, the hospital's staff has delivered 179,000 babies, cared for 296,000 inpatients and 840,000 outpatients. It also saw the birth of a new facility, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, named after Mr. Palmer's late wife Winnie. The 285-bed facility opened on May 30, 2006, expanding the hospital's obstetric, neonatal and gynecological services. With the opening of Winnie Palmer Hospital, Arnold Palmer Hospital became a dedicated, 158-bed children's hospital and the two facilities in addition to the Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families formed the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, which is one of the largest children and women's facilities in the nation.

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, supported by the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, is a 158-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of children. Located in Orlando, Arnold Palmer Hospital provides expertise in pediatric specialties such as cardiac care, craniomaxillofacial surgery, emergency and trauma care, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, orthopedics, pulmonology and sports medicine. Visit arnoldpalmerhospital.com to learn more about all of our specialties.

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Posted by scurry at 11:28 AM

PALMER PRESENTS 2009 NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE RUSSELL MEYER JR.

July 16, 2009

DAYTON, OH – Arnold Palmer is scheduled to present Russell W. Meyer Jr., retired Cessna Aircraft Company chairman and chief executive officer, at the 48th annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony of the National Aviation Hall of Fame July 18th at the Dayton Convention Center.

A pilot himself, Palmer will fly to Dayton in his Cessna Citation X. Russ Meyer is one of Palmer’s closest friends, going back to the beginning of original IMG founder Mark McCormack’s association with Palmer. Meyer was a fellow lawyer with McCormack at the Cleveland law firm, Arter, Hadden, Wycoff and Van Dusen, where he handled some of Palmer's early appearances and all of his aviation needs. Arnold and Russ have shared a life-long passion for aviation from that time to date. Russ is one of Arnold’s trusted advisors in many business matters and the two men have played dozens of rounds of golf together.

In addition to Palmer, celebrities Nick Clooney and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Charles Precourt will also be serving as presenters at the event.

The 2009 inductees are: Eileen Collins, USAF test pilot and first female Shuttle commander; Russell Meyer, Jr., former Chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company; the late James M. Stewart, WWII bomber pilot, award winning actor and airpower advocate; the late Edward H. White, II, West Point grad,USAF test pilot, and Gemini and Apollo astronaut. Collins and Meyer will personally accept their honors. The daughter of Stewart and son and daughter of White will attend, accepting enshrinement on behalf of their late fathers.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization founded in Dayton in 1962 to honor America's air and space pioneers.

For more information, visit nationalaviation.org.

Posted by scurry at 04:17 PM

The Gavin Fitzgerald "Kids Fore Kids" Charity Golf Tournament

July 13, 2009

On Saturday, September 12th the Winter Park Country Club in Winter Park, FL. will be hosting a very unique and special charity golf event which will benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Woman and Babies in Orlando, FL. In its second year, The Gavin Fitzgerald "Kids Fore Kids" Charity Golf Event is on a mission to get kids actively involved early in life to learn the fundamentals of giving. Their goal is to build a future of young philanthropist and help those in need. The idea of the event itself is kids raising money through playing golf for kids in need.

The tournament format is a 9 hole, four "Kid" team scramble. The teams will be a mix of children 4 to 17 years of age. Money will be raised in a variety of ways. The most unique way is through the children actively looking for individuals or corporations to sponsor them as they take part in the scramble on September 12th. To request a registration form e-mail Sondra Fitzgerald at sondra@kidsforekids.com.

The "Kids Fore Kids" Foundation Inc. is also offering sponsorships to corporations or individuals who would like to help. E-mail Sondra Fitzgerald at sondra@kidsforekids.com for more information.

If you take a moment to watch the following video from the Golf Channel's Golf Central you can see what an amazing impact Gavin and his event, in its inaugural year, made on helping the kids at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Woman and Babies in Orlando, FL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1udIT3vpbM

It's a very special thing that Gavin is doing.

In order to make this years event a success once again, the "Kids Fore Kids" Foundation is seeking corporate monetary donations or tournament sponsorships, product donations to act as giveaways to the children participating or product donations to act as silent auction items to also raise funds.

If you are interested you can contact Winter Park Country Club Head Professional, Brendon Elliott at BrendonElliott@pga.com, Mr. Wesley Bishop with the Arnold Palmer Hospital at Wesley.Bishop@orlandohealth.com or Sondra Fitzgerald with the Kids Fore Kids Foundation at sondra@kidsforekids.com

For more information on the Kids Fore Kids Foundation and Event log onto: http://www.kidsforekids.com/home

BRENDON R. ELLIOTT
HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL
Winter Park Country Club
761 Old England Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
GOLF SHOP: (407)599-3339
MAIN LINE: (407)599-3418
FAX: (407)691-6532
E-mail: belliott@cityofwinterpark.org
http://www.winterparkcountryclub.com

Posted by scurry at 11:07 AM

ARNOLD PALMER ATTENDS 2009 'So The World May Hear' AWARDS GALA

July 10, 2009

ST. PAUL, MN – Arnold Palmer is scheduled to attend the Starkey So the World May Hear Awards Gala Sunday July 12.

The gala supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation which started with a simple premise: “Alone we can’t do much. But, together we can change the world.”

With “So the World May Hear” as his goal, Starkey Hearing Foundation founder William F. Austin built an organization upon this vision.

Today the Foundation is sustained by the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors around the world. Through generous support the foundation delivers more than 50,000 hearing aids annually through more than 100 hearing missions a year in countries stretching from the U.S. to Vietnam.

In addition to giving the gift of hearing, the Foundation promotes hearing health awareness while supporting research and education.

Celebrities Tony Bennett, Billy Crystal, Elton John and Gladys Knight will also be in attendance at the black-tie gala.

Posted by scurry at 04:52 PM

PALMER ATTENDS THE FIRST 'FREE TO THE PUBLIC' CHAMPIONS TOUR EVENT

July 06, 2009

Arnold Palmer will be attending the 3M Championship — held July 10-12 at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Twin Cities in Blaine, an Arnold Palmer designed course — which is offering free admission, parking and shuttles to the public.

"Giving back is the right thing to do," said Hollis Cavner, tournament director. "We've received such tremendous support from fans and corporate partners over the past 17 years. We are thrilled that we have an opportunity to say thank you and provide this free gift to golf fans."

"It's very exciting that the 3M Championship is giving golf fans the opportunity to see this great event for free." said Palmer. He adds, "I also hope this offer will introduce some new people to golf as well."

Joining Palmer for the annual 2009 Greats of Golf Challenge Saturday, July 11th and Sunday July 12th will be some of his contemporaries Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino, Billy Casper, Gene Littler, Miller Barber, Tony Jacklin, Charles Coody and Don January.

The Greats of Golf Challenge Presented by Post-it Brand Products is a two-day tournament that features nine PGA Champions Tour professionals playing in a three-person scramble format.

The 3M Championship consistently ranks as one of the top Champions Tour events for crowds and charitable giving. Last year, the 3M Championship was voted the No.1 event on the Champions Tour by the players, earning the coveted Champions Tour Players Award.

Posted by scurry at 02:09 PM

PALMER RETURNS TO CHERRY HILLS FOR 2009 PALMER CUP

June 08, 2009

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. — Arnold Palmer returned to the site of his legendary 1960 U.S. Open victory at Cherry Hills last week to attend The Palmer Cup, his namesake collegiate Ryder Cup style event.

As he spoke from a podium Tuesday, Palmer jokingly said to the young golfers; "I'm going to be on the first hole. And the first guy that pulls out a 1-iron or 2-iron or 3-wood, I'm going to run out and hand him his driver." This aggressive play is how Palmer birdied the first hole at Cherry Hills when he began his most famous charge from seven shots back to claim victory at the 1960 U.S. Open, still a record for the largest comeback victory in U.S. Open history.

"He has given more back to golf than just about anybody," USGA president Jim Vernon said Tuesday during the Palmer Cup's opening ceremonies. "There's a lot to learn from Arnold."

Due to rain delays, Tuesday's college-am fundraiser was postponed until Wednesday. But that allowed Palmer more time to share stories and to speak with players entered in the four-round competition with a U.S. vs. Europe format patterned after the Ryder Cup.

Palmer stayed to witness the fierce competition. "These guys played well and it was a joy to watch." said Palmer.

Final score was Europe 13, United States 11. The victory was the Euros second in a row and second on American soil. The win evened the all-time series, 6-6-1.

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Final Results

Palmer Cup Presented by Fisher Capital Partners
Cherry Hills Country Club
June 5

Europe 13, United States 11

Four-Ball Matches Results
Jorge Campillo/Tim Sluiter, Europe def. Bud Cauley/Trent Leon, USA, 2-up
Henrik Norlander/Robin Wingardh, Europe def. Erik Flores/Adam Mitchell, USA, 6 and 4
Leonardo Motta/Andrea Pavan, Europe def. Mike Van Sickle/Steve Ziegler, USA, 2-up
Morgan Hoffmann/Cameron Tringale, USA def. Stephan Gross/Chris Paisley, Europe, 2-up
Europe leads 3-1

Singles Matches Pairings
Bud Cauley, USA def. Robin Wingardh, Europe, 4 and 3
Jorge Campillo, Europe def. Mike Van Sickle, USA, 1-up
Tim Sluiter, Europe halved Cameron Tringale, USA
Leonardo Motta, Europe def. Morgan Hoffmann, USA, 2-up
Stephan Gross, Europe def. Erik Flores, USA, 3 and 1
Steve Ziegler, USA def. Andrea Pavan, Europe, 2 and 1
Adam Mitchell, USA def. Chris Paisley, Europe, 4 and 2
Henrik Norlander, Europe def. Trent Leon, USA, 3 and 2
Europe leads 7.5-4.5

Foursomes Matches Results
Jorge Campillo/Tim Sluiter, Europe def. Bud Cauley/Mike Van Sickle, USA, 5 and 4
Erik Flores/Steve Ziegler, USA def. Stephan Gross/Chris Paisley, Europe, 1-up
Leonardo Motta/Andrea Pavan, Europe def. Trent Leon/Adam Mitchell, USA, 3 and 2
Morgan Hoffmann/Cameron Tringale, USA def. Henrik Norlander/Robin Wingardh, Europe, 1-up
Europe leads 9.5-6.5

Singles Matches Results
Jorge Campillo, Europe def. Bud Cauley, USA, 2 and 1
Stephan Gross, Europe def. Steve Ziegler, USA, 5 and 4
Tim Sluiter, Europe def. Morgan Hoffmann, USA, 1-up
Cameron Tringale, USA def. Chris Paisley, Europe, 1-up
Mike Van Sickle, USA def. Leonardo Motta, Europe, 8 and 7
Andrea Pavan, Europe halved Erik Flores, USA
Trent Leon, USA def. Robin Wingardh, Europe, 2 and 1
Adam Mitchell, USA def. Henrik Norlander, Europe, 3 and 2
Europe leads 13-11

Posted by scurry at 02:57 PM

Arnold Palmer to Present Winnie Palmer Award To Aide Doc Giffin at Met Golf Writers Dinner

April 28, 2009

Golf legend Arnold Palmer will present the Winnie Palmer Award to his long-time assistant Doc Giffin at the 2009 Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s 58th National Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 16, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

Louise Suggs, the Hall of Fame LPGA great, will receive the MGWA’s Gold Tee Award; Rolex the Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award and Gene Westmoreland, Met Golf Association executive, the Distinguished Service Award at the annual dinner.

The MGWA established the Winnie Palmer Award in 2000 in honor of Palmer’s late wife, who devoted much of her life to charity work for literacy programs and health care. The accolade acknowledges individuals who have consistently given their time, energy and enthusiasm for the less fortunate. Over the last 20 years, the Palmer family has been heavily involved in the establishment of hospital facilities for mothers, children and babies that are incorporated into the Arnold Palmer Medical Center in Orlando, Florida.

“Winnie’s life-long dedication to philanthropy and caring for people is something that I always admired and learned from,” said Giffin, Palmer’s personal assistant for the last 43 years. “I am particularly honored to receive this award in her name.”

Palmer last attended what has been called “golf’s social event of the year” in 2001, when he received the association’s Golden Anniversary Award with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Palmer also earned the MGWA’s highest honor, the Gold Tee Award, in 1965 for career achievements that exemplify the best spirit and traditions of the sport of golf.

The MGWA’s National Awards Dinner is the largest (and longest running) golf dinner held annually in the U.S. All of golf’s governing bodies actively support the dinner—the USGA, PGA of America, the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, the LPGA—and some 700 industry leaders and local golfers attend. Proceeds from the dinner are distributed to three Metropolitan area caddie scholarship programs and the MGA Foundation. More than $950,000 has been raised over the years for charitable endeavors.

Golf fans are encouraged to attend this popular event and join Arnold and Doc for a night of celebrating the spirit of golf and philanthropy. For advance ticket reservations or additional information, please contact Kate Keller at (914) 347-4653. Tickets also may be obtained online at www.metgolfwriters.org.

Posted by scurry at 04:06 PM

Palmer Supports Stephens Charity Tournament

April 17, 2009

Arnold Palmer will co-headline the annual Jackson T. Stephens Charitable Golf Tournament in Little Rock Arkansas with Phil Mickelson. Scheduled for April 20 at the Alotian Club in Roland, the tournament benefits Arkansas charities supported by the late Jack Stephens, former chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.

On Monday, Palmer will attend a dinner where he will speak for a short time before opening the floor for a question-and-answer session. Tuesday he will be present for photos with charity supporters.

The tournament has raised more than $3 million dollars by individuals and companies invited to participate in the fundraiser since it's inception in 2006. First Tee program in Little Rock and Fort Smith, and the Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock are among the charities that benefit from the tournament. Jack's son, Warren, is expected to present Palmer with a generous check to go to one of his own charities that he designates.

"I'm glad to support this event. I came to Little Rock in 2001 to support Jack Stephens when his namesake First Tee Golf Academy was dedicated. Furthering the sport of golf and supporting the First Tee is something I proud to be a part of." said Palmer.

Posted by scurry at 04:29 PM

PALMER HEADS TO THE MASTERS

April 01, 2009

Arnold Palmer’s string of consecutive playing appearances in the Masters Tournament ended at 50 when he competed for a final time in the 2004 championship, but Arnold Palmer will be in Augusta, Georgia, again this April, a stop he has made every year since 1955.

As he did last year, Palmer will go to Augusta Tuesday, April 7, to attend the Champions Dinner that evening in the historic Augusta National clubhouse. Trevor Immelman, the defending champion, hosts the dinner, at which virtually all of the living former winners of the classic event, playing or non-playing, will gather.

On Wednesday, April 8, the “Big 3” reunites for the annual Par 3 Contest where Palmer joins Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for a 3:05 tee time. First played in 1960 and won that year by Sam Snead, the Par 3 Contest has become a Wednesday tradition at the Masters. Tournament participants, non-competing past champions, and Honorary Invitees are invited to participate in the Contest. Palmer won the Par 3 Contest in 1967 in a playoff. The event will be televised on ESPN.

Palmer serves as the Honorary Starter on Thursday, April 9. Palmer will be just the sixth person to serve as Honorary Starter in the long history of the Masters, which began in 1934. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod inaugurated the role in 1963. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 and Ken Venturi filled in for Nelson in 1983. Sam Snead joined Nelson and Sarazen in 1984. The position was vacant since Snead died following the 2002 Masters until the 2007 event when Palmer assumed the role for the first time.

"As you know, Augusta is one of my favorite places and the Masters has meant so much to me personally throughout my career. I have always been treated so warmly there by the patrons. I hope in some way I can show my gratitude to the fans who have followed and supported me these many years” said Palmer.

Posted by scurry at 05:19 PM

THE PRINCE MEETS THE KING

March 25, 2009

The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard was the setting for a potentially historic photograph Wednesday, as 17-year-old rising Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa - known as the Bashful Prince for his unassuming demeanor - came to meet the King of golf, the tournament host, Arnold Palmer.

"To have our young friend from Japan here to play is great," Palmer said later in a press conference. "I hope he has a good week and enjoys the game."

"We're certainly very pleased. I've heard everything from (him being) a young Tiger Woods to just a really great young man, and having met him and talked to him, he has a great personality. I see from what he's done playing golf that his future is very bright, and not just in Japan but around the world."

Ishikawa arrived at Palmer's second-story executive offices at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge at 9:40 a.m., precisely the appointed time. Ushered to the King's corner office, Ishikawa shook hands with Palmer then in perfect English expressed his appreciation for the invitation.

Palmer took a lapel pin with his umbrella logo and attached it to Ishikawa’s shirt and also gave him several logoed ball markers. Then they headed downstairs for the photo opportunity in front of a large gathering of photographers and television cameramen, mostly from Ishikawa’s home country, who have been following his American tour.

In a press conference later, Ishikawa said: “I (was) so honored when I received Mr. Palmer’s invitation to this tournament. It is going to be my lifetime treasure. I just met Mr. Palmer this morning. It was my wonderful memory, and it’s hard to explain how I feel at the moment. But I could feel he’s a warm-hearted person, just shaking hands.”

At Palmer’s request, the PGA Tour designated Ishikawa to receive an exemption reserved for foreign players in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I’ve had a relationship in Japan that has gone on for many, many years,” Palmer said. “When something happens like this young man, who is a real hero, it is obvious that we’re going to hear about it and hear how good he is.”

Ishikawa made history in 2007 when, as a 15-year-old high school freshman, he became the youngest champion ever on one of the world’s major golf tours, winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup on the Japan Tour. He became a professional last year and won again at the mynavi ABC Championship and placed second in the Japan Open. He was fifth on the 2008 Japan Tour money list and earned $1,074,469 converted to U.S. dollars. He is presently ranked No. 69 in the world.

While Palmer’s was the first, Ishikawa also accepted invitations from the Masters Tournament and two other PGA Tour events, the Northern Trust Open and the Transitions Championship. “I’ve been in Florida for two weeks now, and I’ve found that orange juice tastes great, and hamburger. So I’m enjoying America,” he said.

This is Ishikawa’s second visit to Bay Hill. Four years ago, he played in an AJGA junior event here.

--Bev Norwood

Posted by scurry at 09:30 PM

RYDER CUP AND PRESIDENTS CUP STARS ENTER ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

March 21, 2009

Defending champion Tiger Woods leads field of 120 players

The 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard will feature defending champion Tiger Woods along with most of the players from the recent Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. The PGA Tour event is scheduled for March 23-29 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

The world’s No. 1 player and a five-time winner at Bay Hill, Woods will be joined by the other two current major champions, Trevor Immelman and Padraig Harrington, among 29 players entered from the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

In addition to Woods, past Bay Hill winners in the field of 120 players are Vijay Singh, Kenny Perry, Fred Couples, Paul Azinger, Chad Campbell, Rod Pampling, Tim Herron, Andrew Magee, Paul Goydos and Robert Gamez. Nine members of Captain Azinger’s victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team are entered. They are Campbell, Perry, Stewart Cink, Ben Curtis, Jim Furyk, J.B. Holmes, Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and Boo Weekley. From the European Ryder Cup team are Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Oliver Wilson.

The latest Presidents Cup teams, from 2007, will be well-represented with 10 players from the American team and eight from the International team. These include U.S. players Woody Austin, Lucas Glover, Charles Howell III, Zach Johnson, David Toms and Scott Verplank, and International players Stuart Appleby, Angel Cabrera, Retief Goosen, Nick O’Hern, Adam Scott and Mike Weir.

Among the 19 players who received sponsor exemptions is Rocco Mediate, appearing in a tournament with Woods for the first time since their playoff at the U.S. Open last June. Woods had surgery on his left knee after that and did not play again until last month. This will be his third tournament of 2009.

For tickets or more information on the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 05:31 PM

KIM LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS DEBUT AT ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

March 19, 2009

American young gun loading up for Bay Hill challenge

One of America’s rising stars, Anthony Kim, has been off to a slow start in 2009 while nursing a series of nagging injuries, including a shoulder strain that has prevented him from working on his game as much as he would like.

Kim figures one of the best ways to get back to the top of his game is to take on the Champions Course at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in the 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. A two-time PGA Tour winner last year, Kim, age 23, joins a stellar field of highly-ranked players and former champions in Orlando in the final leg of the Florida Swing on the week of March 23-29.

“I haven’t been playing a lot of golf, so I’m a bit rusty, to be honest,” said Kim, ranked No. 12 on the Official World Golf Ranking. “I need to get some more rounds under my belt, but I’m finally healthy again, and I think I am coming around at just the right time. And I think Bay Hill is going to be a good place to test myself.”

Kim has never played the Bay Hill course designed by the host, but he’s heard plenty about the 7,157-yard, par-70 layout.

“I haven’t had the chance to play the golf course before so I’m looking forward to that,” said the native Californian. “I’ve obviously watched the tournament on television and know that Bay Hill is a course that has typically favored longer hitters, so hopefully I can put on a good show for the fans that week.

“I’m expecting it to be tough,” Kim added. “It’s plays pretty long and the rough is going to be thick, but like any golf tournament, you play well and you make some putts, you’re going to do just fine.”

Kim has done quite well for himself in a short amount of time. In addition to victories last year at the Wachovia (now Quail Hollow) Championship and the AT&T National, the youngster played an instrumental role in helping the U.S. Ryder Cup team defeat Europe at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

In addition to a desire to get more golf in before he heads to Augusta for the Masters Tournament, Kim said he was motivated to see Bay Hill for himself, and, of course, to have a chance to visit with the host.

“Obviously, it means a lot to play in events like this. Arnold Palmer … everybody knows how he helped to change the game, helped it grow. He’d like me to play in his event, and I would love to be a part of it.

“Playing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational is an honor that I have looked forward to for many years, and the chance to make my first appearance there next week will be a highlight of the season for me. Mr. Palmer is a legend in the game that we all owe so much to, and I hope that one day I can add my name to the list of champions at Bay Hill.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 11:52 AM

MEDIATE WANTS TO MAKE PALMER PROUD

March 16, 2009

U.S. Open runner-up among 19 to receive sponsor exemptions to 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

Rocco Mediate will get his wish – another chance to make Arnold Palmer proud.

Mediate was among the 19 players who received sponsor exemptions to the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, scheduled for the week of March 23-29 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

In a hand-written note to Palmer requesting the exemption, Mediate wrote: “I would once again love to play in your tournament. I tried so hard to make you proud last June at the U.S. Open. I hope to have another opportunity to do so at Bay Hill.”

At the U.S. Open Mediate, who had five career victories at age 45, became a hero to millions of golf fans as he battled through 19 playoff holes before finishing second to Tiger Woods, age 32, the world’s No. 1 golfer, with 65 career victories including 14 major championships.

“They say that nobody remembers who finished second in a golf tournament,” Palmer said. “I don’t think that will be the case with the 2008 U.S. Open and Rocco Mediate.”

Woods is the defending and five-time champion of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has until Friday March 20 to commit to the PGA Tour that he will be at Bay Hill this year. If Woods plays, this would be the first tournament since the U.S. Open to include both Woods and Mediate. Woods had surgery on his left knee in June and did not play again until last month.

Mediate, who is from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, close to Palmer’s home in Latrobe, will be playing for the 21st year (not consecutive) at Bay Hill, where his best finish was second place in 2007, two strokes behind champion Vijay Singh.

Sponsor exemptions also went to three others who have played at Bay Hill for more than 20 years: Corey Pavin will be making his 25th appearance, along with Brad Faxon (23rd) and Billy Andrade (21st). Andrade’s total is consecutive, as he has not missed a year since starting in 1988. Faxon placed second at Bay Hill in 1995 and tied for second in 2003.

In addition to Pavin, the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup captain and 1995 U.S. Open champion, exemptions went to 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup captain and 1996 British Open champion Tom Lehman, 1993 and 1998 U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, and 2001 British Open champion David Duval. Lehman tied for fifth at Bay Hill in 2007 and tied for eighth last year.

Others receiving exemptions included Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa, whose position as a foreign player designated by Commissioner Tim Finchem was announced earlier.

In the category of eight PGA Tour regular or past champion members, exemptions went to Andrade, Faxon, Janzen, Lehman, Mediate, Brian Davis, Jason Gore, and Skip Kendall.

In the category of two players from the top 25 finishers in the 2008 Qualifying Tournament and the 2008 Nationwide Tour, exemptions were given to Greg Owen, who was second at Bay Hill in 2006, and Harrison Frazar.

Eight unrestricted exemptions were awarded to Pavin, Duval, 2008 Southern Amateur champion Kyle Stanley, Erik Compton, D.A. Points, Steve Flesch, Notah Begay, and Vaughn Taylor.

For tickets or more information on the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 01:35 PM

Navigating the 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

March 13, 2009

All the information you need to attend the 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

Tournament Dates:

Monday, March 23, 2009 – Sunday, March 29, 2009

Location:

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge 9000 Bay Hill Boulevard Orlando, FL 32819

Schedule of Events:

• Monday, March 23, 2009 – Youth Day/Monday
  PRO-AM
  7:30 a.m. – Junior Golf Breakfast in the Arnold Palmer Terrace Room.
  9:00 a.m. – Monday PRO-AM Tournament begins.
  4:30 p.m. – Coca-Cola® Youth Clinic at the Driving Range.
  ALL YOUTH admitted FREE with paying adult on March 23.
• Tuesday, March 24, 2009
  Practice rounds for PGA TOUR players.
  Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – Wednesday PRO-AM
  PRO-AM Tournament tee times throughout the day, #1
  and #10 tees. (Pairings available day-of.)
• Thursday, March 26, 2009*
  Round 1 of Competition.
• Friday, March 27, 2009*
  Round 2 of Competition.
  College Day - $20 entry for ALL current college students.
• Saturday, March 28, 2009*
  Round 3 of Competition.
• Sunday, March 29, 2009*
  Final Round of Competition.

*All pairings and tee-times will be available on the tournament Web site – ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com – the evening prior to play.

Daily Ticket Information:

• Practice/PRO-AM Ticket (Monday – Wednesday) – $35 Grants admission into the event on any one day, Monday – Wednesday. Monday is a ticketed day for adults, with the addition of a second PRO-AM event ticket.
  All youth are admitted free on Monday with a paid adult. On-site parking included.
• Any One Day Ticket (Thursday – Sunday) – $45 Grants admission into the event on any one day, Thursday – Sunday. Parking at Universal Studios, with complimentary shuttle to the tournament provided.
• Youth Ticket, Ages 11 to 17 – $15 (10 and under free) Grants admission into the event on any one day, Tuesday – Sunday. All youth admitted free with a paid adult on Youth Day – Monday, March 23.
• College Students (Friday, March 27) – $20
  On Friday, March 27, current college students can purchase a discounted ticket with their student ID at Universal Studios tournament parking.
• Military – FREE
  All military receive free admission, any day, all day with a
  valid military ID. Military present their ID to pick up a
  ticket when parking on-site at Bay Hill, Monday –
  Wednesday, and when parking at Universal Studios
  tournament parking, Thursday – Sunday.

Ticket Packages:

• The King’s Club – $2,000
  The King’s Club is the ultimate tournament experience.
  This exclusive ticket package grants weeklong entrance to
  the tournament and access to the King’s Club (Thursday –
  Sunday), an elevated, air-conditioned structure offering
  beautiful views of the 16th and 17th greens. A very
  limited number of tickets are available. Tickets include:
  full food and beverage service; on-site parking with shuttle
  to the front of the venue; player meet and greets;
  premium, limited edition giveaways; access to the Palmer
  Pavilion, Clubhouse and MasterCard Club; and one round
  of golf at the Bay Hill Club.
• Bay Hill Badge – $300
  Includes weeklong access to the Clubhouse and Palmer
  Pavilion. This limited edition badge offers a prime view of
  the putting green, as well as access to the grounds and
  Palmer Pavilion on the 18th tee. Badge holders enjoy the
  privilege of guaranteed on-site parking.
• Clubhouse Badge – $190
  Includes access to the tournament grounds and Bay Hill
  Clubhouse. The Clubhouse offers a prime view of the
  putting green. On-site parking on a space available basis
  is also included.
• Palmer Pavilion Badge – $185
  The Palmer Pavilion features a comfortable, covered
  hospitality area and patio with unique views of the 18th
  green. This badge grants access to the grounds and into
  the Palmer Pavilion Monday – Sunday. It includes on-site
  parking on a space available basis.
• Grounds Badge – $95
  Includes grounds-only admission to the entire
  tournament, Monday – Sunday. Parking with shuttle bus
  is provided at Universal Studios.
• Gold Patron Package – $3,500
  Includes 20 Clubhouse Badges and 10 parking passes for
  guaranteed on-site parking in Lot 10.
• Bay Hill Patron Package – $2,800
  Includes 10 Clubhouse Badges as well as 10 Palmer
  Pavilion Badges. Includes on-site parking on a space
  available basis.

To Purchase Tickets:

Purchase tickets online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, call the Arnold Palmer Invitational Ticket Office at 407-876-7774 or toll-free at 866-764-4843, or purchase at your local participating Edwin Watts stores.

Parking Information:

• On-Site –
  Any One Day (Thursday – Sunday) $20
  Full Week (Thursday – Sunday) $65
  Guaranteed parking on the tournament grounds. Limited availability.
• Free General –
  Thursday – Sunday parking and shuttle service is provided from Universal Studios for all Arnold Palmer Invitational ticket holders.
• Disabled –
  Thursday – Sunday, ALL disabled spectators will be required to park in a handicap-specific, hard surface, covered area at Universal Studios. This handicap area will be serviced by special handicap–equipped shuttles. The drop-off at Bay Hill will be at the end of the Clubhouse area.

Will Call Information:

The Will Call trailer is located on the East side of Turkey Lake Road, between Sand Lake Road and Hollywood Way.

Directions to Will Call:

Traveling either direction on I-4, take exit 74A and head west on Sand Lake Road (once on Sand Lake Road, stay in the far Right lane) to Turkey Lake Road. Turn Right on Turkey Lake Road. Travel approx. one mile. You will come to a traffic light at Wallace Road. The Will Call trailer will be just north of Wallace Road and on the East side of Turkey Lake Road (there will be signs).

Will Call Hours:

Monday, March 23 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 27 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Directions:

To Universal Studios – General Parking

• From Daytona/Sanford: Take I-4 West to Exit 74B;
  Follow signs to tournament.
• From Tampa: Take I-4 East to Exit 74A; Follow signs to
  tournament.

To Bay Hill Club & Lodge

• From Daytona/Sanford: Take I-4 West to Exit 74A; Exit
  right onto Sand Lake Road. Take Sand Lake Road. until
  you end at Apopka-Vineland Road and turn right. Follow
  signs to Gate C for public parking.
• From Tampa: Take I-4 East to Exit 74A; Exit left onto
  Sand Lake Road. Take Sand Lake Road until you end at
  Apopka-Vineland Road and turn right. Follow signs to
  Gate C for public parking.

 

Posted by scurry at 09:00 PM

FURYK IS BACK VYING FOR LONG-SOUGHT BREAKTHROUGH AT ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

March 11, 2009

Former World No. 2 eager to take on toughened Bay Hill

Jim Furyk admits he didn’t always pencil in a stop at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge on his busy playing schedule. The calendar seemed to work against him, and the Champions Course didn’t seem to suit his game, as much as he enjoyed it.

Now, Furyk is again making a point of heading to central Florida, to the PGA Tour event hosted by one of the game’s legends.

When the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard begins March 26, Furyk will be among the many former major championship winners in the elite, invitation-only field, and the Florida resident hopes he can add to his 13 PGA Tour victories at a tournament that has come to have special meaning for veteran.

Furyk, 39, is a native of Pennsylvania, as is the tournament host, the source of a special bond. That bond was strengthened a few years ago when Palmer wrote to Furyk personally to return to Bay Hill after the 2003 U.S. Open winner had missed the Orlando spot for six years starting in 2000.

“He wrote to me, and that meant a lot,” said Furyk, who last won on the PGA Tour at the 2007 Canadian Open. “I'll be dead honest, if Arnold or someone will talk to you personally or writes you a letter personally and signs it, it would be tough to say no.”

Ranked as high as No. 2 in the world and currently No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Furyk also sees the tournament dates as being advantageous as he prepares for the first major of the year, the Masters. The Arnold Palmer Invitational has been moved back two weeks to anchor the Florida swing on the PGA Tour.

“This year, it would kind of be a no-brainer for me because of the way the schedule worked for me,” Furyk says. “I’ve played the last few years, and I planned on going this year as well all along. It’s really a tournament I don’t want to miss now. Obviously, a big part of that is simply what Arnold means to the game. Being from Pennsylvania, I’ve always been aware of what he’s done, and of course, the game we are playing today, we all owe a lot to Arnold. The game would be much different without him.”

Furyk would point out that his game is different these days, too, and the changes mean he is better equipped to compete at Bay Hill, not that he has struggled too much before. True, he missed the cut in his first two appearances in 1994 and 1995, but he has scored at par or better in every start since then. His best showing was a tie for eighth in 1998. Last year, he was just three off the lead through two rounds before No. 1 Tiger Woods pulled away for his fifth victory.

“It's actually endearing itself to me,” Furyk says of the 7,157-yard, par- 70 layout. “The more I play it, the more I tend to enjoy it. But I think my game has changed a lot, too, in the last few years, and that probably helps. I think I hit the ball higher, hit the ball a lot farther, and I'm not having some of the issues I had at the course. Plus, I think they're setting it up a little bit differently, which should be interesting. It will be challenging, for sure. I am looking forward to it.”

Palmer said his fellow Keystone State native has to be considered among the favorites because of his ability to drive the ball, a staple of Palmer’s game in his prime.

“Jim drives it well enough, and we aren’t so long that he couldn’t take advantage of some scoring opportunities from the fairways,” Palmer said. “He’s certainly capable of winning here. His game is such that he’s capable of winning anywhere.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 12:45 PM

SINGH EAGER FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

March 05, 2009

FedExCup champion gears up for return to Bay Hill

When Vijay Singh decided to undergo arthroscopic surgery in January on his right knee, one impetus for choosing to not wait was because he didn’t want to risk missing certain events in the first few months of the PGA Tour schedule. No one ever wants to miss a major, so the former Masters champion certainly wanted to be ready for Augusta. But other events were on his mind as well.

“Events like Bay Hill and Pebble Beach, where I’ve had some good success, are very important to me. Those you don’t want to miss,” said Singh, the reigning champion of the PGA Tour’s yearlong FedExCup competition, who underwent surgery January 14 near his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Few tournaments have been a better fit for the fitness-minded, hardworking Singh than the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. The three-time major champion has never missed the cut at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, and, in fact, he showed great promise in the tournament from the beginning.

Singh’s first start as a member of the PGA Tour came at the 1993 edition at Bay Hill, when the tournament was known as the Nestle Invitational, and courtesy of a personal invitation from the legendary host whose name now adorns the tournament, Singh not only showed up, but made his presence felt, finishing second.

But until the 2007 tournament, Singh had piled up 30 PGA Tour victories while meeting with frustration in one of his favorite events. Singh racked up two more runner-up finished and 11 top-25s in his first 14 appearances until finally breaking through with a two-stroke victory over Rocco Mediate. Last year in his title defense he tied for third, three strokes behind Tiger Woods.

Little wonder then that Singh is eager for a return to Bay Hill’s Champion Course. Likewise, it’s no mystery that the talented Fijian will again be among the favorites when the 31st edition of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is held March 23-29.

“I have a long and proud history with the Arnold Palmer Invitational and I consider it one of the most important events on my schedule each year," said Singh, 45, who has won 22 times since he reached age 40, a record. "It was a huge thrill for me when Mr. Palmer offered me an exemption to play 17 years ago, and I have looked forward to Bay Hill every year since. Obviously, finally winning the tournament two years ago, after coming close a number of times, will go down as one of the highlights of my career, and I would love to recapture that moment later this month.”

A former No. 1 player in the world, Singh has broken par at Bay Hill in 12 of his last 16 rounds, and he was one of just three players to shoot par or better in all four rounds a year ago on the 7,157-yard, par-70 layout that Palmer designed.

“I know the golf course; I know how to play it,” said Singh, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006. “I think I owe it to Arnie inviting me there the first time I played in America, so I've played there every single year.”

Palmer expects Singh, one of a number of former champions expected to participate, to again vie for the top spot at the elite, limited-field invitational tournament that offers a purse of $6 million, an increase of $200,000 from a year ago.

“Vijay is such a strong player and he works tremendously hard, so it’s no surprise to me the success he’s had,” Palmer said. “His full swing is very good, one of the best, and he’s very consistent. Bay Hill seems to suit him well.”

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 10:00 AM

A Week with the King

March 03, 2009

PGA Tour players enjoy perk of spending time with host at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

It was autumn when Davis Love III last ran into Arnold Palmer. “ When I saw him, Arnold asked me, ‘You’re going to be at Bay Hill, right?’” Love recalled. “Well, I said I wouldn’t miss it for anything, and you know, I wouldn’t.”

Love is a three-time runner-up of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, so he’s naturally eager to add that title to his 20 career PGA Tour victories. But beating an elite invitational field on a tough golf course isn’t his only motivation for wanting to return to the Bay Hill Club & Lodge for the 31st edition of Palmer’s prestigious event in Orlando, Florida. Neither is playing for a handsome $6 million purse.

“I love the tournament, and I’ve enjoyed the golf course, though I haven’t quite gotten over the hump, but one of the best things about playing at Bay Hill is the time you get to spend with Arnold,” Love said. “You don’t get to do that very much. It’s in honor of him that you want to be there. That’s what was great about playing for him on the Presidents Cup when he was the captain (in 1996) – it’s that the time you get with him that really means something. You don’t forget it.”

Love’s outlook on the long-running PGA Tour event hosted by one of the game’s most beloved figures is shared by many of his peers. When the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is held March 23-29, many of the 120 players in the elite invitational field will use the trip to renew acquaintances with golf’s recognized “King.”

“We all know about his success on the golf course but it’s what he’s done for the game, and his tournament is a visible example of that,” said Tim Herron, who won the 1999 edition at Bay Hill. “There’s an aura about him that makes him the man, someone who is a great example for golfers and nongolfers. You conduct yourself like Arnold Palmer, and you aren’t going to go wrong. Being around him for that reason is worth the trip.”

“It’s always great to play there, and the course has gotten harder, so it’s even more of an accomplishment to win there, I think,” Paul Goydos, the 1996 champion, added. “But when you go there, it’s still about being there with Arnold. He treats the pros great; the pros are what matter at Bay Hill. It goes back to who he is. It’s all about the professionals there, and you have to come ready to play because you know that’s what he would do.”

There certainly appears to be no shortage of players who have shaped their decisions by thinking about what Arnold Palmer would do. Two-time winner Loren Roberts is among them, and he believes that all golfers would benefit from some informal lessons from the King.

“I’ve always thought that it’s kind of like our young guys who come out of Q-School or the Nationwide Tour or wherever … rookies ought to have to play a couple of rounds of golf with Arnold Palmer, just to see how he treats everyone on the golf course, how he treats the fans, how he conducts himself,” Roberts said. “It should be a prerequisite to play with Arnold and learn a few things.”

Some PGA Tour members who live in Orlando find that one of the perks of a central Florida residency is a greater opportunity to visit with Palmer away from the stress and bustle of tournament week.

“I saw him at a charity event at home in Orlando for the Winnie Palmer and Arnold Palmer Hospitals in December, and he looks great, and he doesn’t look like he’s slowing down at all,” two-time Tour winner Charles Howell III said. “He’s just unbelievable how he interacts with people. I always get a kick out of seeing him, especially in settings like that where you really see what he’s about, which is, basically, that he’s the same no matter the situation. He’s just a phenomenal person.”

“Personally, I love hanging out at Bay Hill, just to be around Arnie. What a lovely man,” Daniel Chopra, another two-time winner, said. “The first time I met him, it was like he was so much larger than life. It was like meeting John Wayne. It has nothing to do with records and such. It’s who he is. He is approachable, and he makes everyone around him feel good. Just a regular guy, and that is his charm.”

According to Goydos, there’s one additional legitimate reason to journey to Bay Hill in late March. “What do we play for that week? (The purse is $6 million.) That’s not even close to what Arnold Palmer has done for us and for the game,” Goydos said. “More than anything, you just want to go there and play well and then be able to say thanks. Really, you can’t thank him enough.”

For tickets to the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament website, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407- 876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 09:16 AM

Kenny Perry has sights set on more Bay Hill success

February 27, 2009

ANOTHER WIN AT ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD WOULD BE JUST AS SPECIAL FOR 2005 WINNER

At the outset of the 2009 season, veteran PGA Tour player Kenny Perry decided to share with the media his goal to win 20 titles by the time he closes the book on his career. But even before he won the FBR Open earlier this year in a playoff for his 13th Tour title, Perry was looking ahead to one of his favorite events, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, as a potential spot for adding to his total.

“There are places I love that I can play, and there are places I love where I can’t seem to get anything going ever,” said Perry, who is ranked No. 9 in the world. “Bay Hill is one of those golf courses where I just feel real comfortable. Guys always talk about a golf course suiting their eye. I can’t really say that about Bay Hill, but I like the course, and I love going there to see Arnie. I haven’t always played well there, and maybe it’s just that I enjoy being there that I feel like I have a good chance to win when I go there.”

Perry, 48, of Franklin, Kentucky, is expected to be among a number of former champions returning to the 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. The prestigious invitational event, which is hosted by Palmer and contested on a gem of a layout that Palmer designed, is scheduled for March 23-29, the final event on the Tour’s Florida Swing.

Winner of the 2005 edition, Perry has a commendable record at Bay Hill, including a tie for second in 2003. His victory two years later represented the eighth of his professional career, which started in 1982. Perry remembers the nervousness he felt coming down the stretch. “It was a big deal because I really wanted to win that tournament. I have always looked up to Arnold; when I was growing up, he was the man. It just seemed like I always got in my own way, but I didn’t that time.”

Perry fired a closing 70 on the Championship Course for a two-stroke victory over Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell in what was essentially a threeman race. Perry finished at 12-under 276, while Singh and McDowell closed at 10 under par. Retief Goosen was fourth another five shots back at five-under 283.

“Bay Hill is a tactician kind of golf course,” Perry said. “You really have to navigate around all the problems, and you have to hit it good and be smart at the same time. I’ve always been a good ball-striker. My whole career I’ve been pretty solid from tee to green. Normally the rough is very tough at Bay Hill, and the greens are firm. The year I won, I hit more fairways than anybody else. I drove it great, and that’s what you have to do because that sets up everything else.

“That was a special week,” Perry added. “I played so well, and when you get in that position in an event that means something to you … you try not to think about it. You start to think about what it means to win Arnold Palmer’s tournament and you could mess up real quickly. And then to have him standing out there with that big sword … getting the trophy from him, that was magical stuff.”

Perry, who did not get to defend his title in 2006 because of knee surgery, admits that trying to win 20 times isn’t necessarily a realistic goal, but it gives him something to strive for. He thinks he does have one attribute in common with the tournament host: a natural strength that keeps him competitive against waves of younger players.

“Arnold was such a strong guy in his prime, and that made him exciting,” Perry said. “I’m not saying I’m like Arnold, but I’m lucky that I’m still healthy and I can still do what I want with my golf swing. I am a pretty big guy. I might have lost a little clubhead speed, but the game has not passed me by yet. New equipment, new ball … I can still hit it as far as anybody, and I still feel like I can compete with anybody.”

For tickets or more information on the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 09:19 AM

ORLANDO'S SIGNATURE SPORTS EVENT GIVES BACK WITH SPECIAL COMMUNITY OFFERS

February 26, 2009

-- The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Offers Free Entry to Military and Discounted Entry to College Students --

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 26, 2009) — The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is one of Central Florida’s signature events and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf.  This year, they are offering an opportunity for military personnel to experience the tournament for free, while giving college students a day at the tournament for only $20, less than half the price of a one-day ticket.

Thanking them for their service to the country, military personnel will receive free entry any day, all day.  And, giving them a special discount, current college students can attend the tournament for only $20 on College Day, Friday, March 27.  To take advantage of this offer, military simply need to present their ID to pick-up a ticket when parking onsite at Bay Hill March 23 - March 25, and when parking at Universal Studios tournament parking March 26 - March 29.  Students will need to show a current student ID at Universal Studios tournament parking on March 27 to purchase their ticket.

“It is a core tradition for the tournament to give back to the community,” said Tournament Director Scott Wellington.  “This opportunity for students and military to attend is yet another example of Mr. Palmer’s unending commitment to Central Florida, especially in difficult economic times.”

Along with these offers, all youth (under 17) are admitted free with a paid adult on Monday, March 23, to watch the Pro-Am action live.  Additionally, at 4:30 p.m., they will have the opportunity to observe the Coca-Cola Junior Golf Clinic held at the driving range featuring a PGA TOUR Pro.

There are also several different ticket package options ranging from $45 for a one-day adult ticket, to $95 for a weeklong grounds badge, or $300 for weeklong prime greens viewing and access to the tournament, Bay Hill Clubhouse and Palmer Pavilion.  Additional badges and group packages are also available.  Individuals who purchase their tickets using a MasterCard receive a 5 percent discount on their total purchase.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will celebrate its 31st year of exceptional golf on March 23-29, 2009 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.  Tickets can now be purchased online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, by phone at 866-764-4843 or 407-876-7774, or in person at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Ticket Office at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. 

About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will hold its 31st annual tournament March 23-29, 2009.  As one one of Central Florida’s signature events, the tournament is a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf.  The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game’s all-time greats — Arnold Palmer.  Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Posted by scurry at 11:28 AM

COUNT BIRDIES TO HELP BABIES IN NEED OF CRITICAL CARE

-- Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation Launches Birdies for Babies Fundraising Program in Partnership with the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard --

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 26, 2009) — The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard is one of Central Florida’s signature events and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf.  This year, they are offering an opportunity for military personnel to experience the tournament for free, while giving college students a day at the tournament for only $20, less than half the price of a one-day ticket.

Thanking them for their service to the country, military personnel will receive free entry any day, all day.  And, giving them a special discount, current college students can attend the tournament for only $20 on College Day, Friday, March 27.  To take advantage of this offer, military simply need to present their ID to pick-up a ticket when parking onsite at Bay Hill March 23 - March 25, and when parking at Universal Studios tournament parking March 26 - March 29.  Students will need to show a current student ID at Universal Studios tournament parking on March 27 to purchase their ticket.

“It is a core tradition for the tournament to give back to the community,” said Tournament Director Scott Wellington.  “This opportunity for students and military to attend is yet another example of Mr. Palmer’s unending commitment to Central Florida, especially in difficult economic times.”

Along with these offers, all youth (under 17) are admitted free with a paid adult on Monday, March 23, to watch the Pro-Am action live.  Additionally, at 4:30 p.m., they will have the opportunity to observe the Coca-Cola Junior Golf Clinic held at the driving range featuring a PGA TOUR Pro.

There are also several different ticket package options ranging from $45 for a one-day adult ticket, to $95 for a weeklong grounds badge, or $300 for weeklong prime greens viewing and access to the tournament, Bay Hill Clubhouse and Palmer Pavilion.  Additional badges and group packages are also available.  Individuals who purchase their tickets using a MasterCard receive a 5 percent discount on their total purchase.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will celebrate its 31st year of exceptional golf on March 23-29, 2009 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.  Tickets can now be purchased online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, by phone at 866-764-4843 or 407-876-7774, or in person at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Ticket Office at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. 

About the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard will hold its 31st annual tournament March 23-29, 2009.  As one one of Central Florida’s signature events, the tournament is a premier sporting event and a highlight of the PGA TOUR, attracting some of the greatest talent in golf.  The entire event is overseen and directed by one of the game’s all-time greats — Arnold Palmer.  Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation, including Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Posted by scurry at 11:25 AM

IMMELMAN SIGNS ON FOR HIS SEVENTH

February 25, 2009

Masters champion Trevor Immelman has never missed the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard since coming to America to play full-time, and Immelman confirmed his seventh consecutive appearance Tuesday with his official commitment to the PGA Tour.

The 3lst annual Arnold Palmer Invitational will be held March 23-29 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Tiger Woods is the defending and five-time champion at Bay Hill. Woods also was the runner-up by three strokes to Immelman in the 2008 Masters.

“Besides the majors, there are some tournaments everyone would like to win in their careers. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of those, because of the tournament’s namesake and the tremendous golf course,” said Immelman, now ranked No. 25 in the world. “I have been at Bay Hill every year since I started playing regularly in America, and one of these years I want to be there at the end for Mr. Palmer to shake my hand. That would be a moment to remember.”

Palmer and Immelman share a Masters distinction. Immelman’s 75 in buffeting winds, gusting to 35 miles an hour on the last day, matched Palmer’s score from 1962 for the highest final round by a Masters champion. Immelman tied for 48th in the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational despite his 64 in the second round. His best finish at Bay Hill was his tie for ninth in 2007, when he shot 66 in the first round. He tied for 46th in 2004 and missed the 36-hole cut in his other three appearances.

The 29-year-old South African posted his first American victory in 2006 in the Cialas Western Open and entered 2009 with PGA Tour career earnings over $9 million. He also has six international victories plus the 2003 World Cup with South African teammate Rory Sabbatini.

For tickets or more information on the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876- 7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 09:05 AM

HARRINGTON LEADS THE WORLD TO BAY HILL

February 19, 2009

Padraig Harrington, the 2008 PGA Tour Player of the Year, made his commitment Wednesday to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

When the dates were moved forward two weeks to March 23-29, Tournament Director Scott Wellington predicted a stronger field of international players for the 31st annual event at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.

"I was delighted when I saw that the Arnold Palmer Invitational was two weeks before the Masters, because it fits my schedule perfectly. I have played the tournament only twice, early in my career, but I look forward to returning," said Harrington, the 37-year-old Irishman who won last year's British Open and PGA Championship.

"The admiration which the players have for Arnold Palmer and the character of the golf course make the tournament one of the most respected on the PGA Tour. I look forward to playing Bay Hill, which offers a tough challenge with an exciting finish – the 16th, 17th and 18th holes make up one of the toughest finishes in golf."

Harrington, currently No. 3 on the World Ranking, is the highest-ranked player who has not competed in the tournament in recent years. He tied for 50th at Bay Hill in 1998 and missed the cut in 2000. His commitment opens the possibility that the Arnold Palmer Invitational could feature all the top-10 players in the world. The other nine have competed at Bay Hill regularly or at least as recently as 2007 or 2008.

"Padraig obviously has been on our wish list," Wellington said. "We have always had one of the best fields of players in the world, including most of the highest-ranked players. But this year we should have more players who have not previously included us on their schedules, and we hope to get several more highly-ranked players."

Harrington has 17 career victories worldwide, including five on the PGA Tour. He won the Honda Classic and Barclays Classic in America in 2005, and claimed the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie for his first major championship and the first by an Irishman in 60 years.

Last year Harrington repeated in the British Open at Royal Birkdale then won the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. He was the first European to win back-to-back major titles, the first European since James Braid in 1906 to win consecutive British Opens, and the first European since Tommy Armour in 1930 to win the PGA Championship.

His first victory was in the 1996 Spanish Open. He has been among the top three European money leaders for seven of the last eight years and won the Order of Merit in 2006.

For tickets or more information on the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 09:00 AM

SOME VICTORIES MEAN MORE THAN OTHERS

February 18, 2009

A champion golfer will tell you that winning any tournament is memorable and rewarding, for many reasons, one of the most prominent being that victories are so difficult to attain. They also are likely to say that some mean more than others.

Players who have won the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard are inclined to agree that claiming victory at Palmer's robust Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, ranks among the most special of their careers. It is not just the prestige the invitational event carries that makes this a coveted crown, but also the experience of receiving a trophy from the tournament's namesake, the Hall of Fame player known as "the King."

"I played the PGA Tour for 12 1/2 years before I broke through, and to have my first win at Arnold's event, and to have Arnold Palmer hand me the trophy, was about as meaningful as it can get for a first-time winner, or, I think, for anyone," said Loren Roberts, who won the 1994 and 1995 titles. "I was emotional about it, truly emotional. We all know what he's meant to the game. We all know what he stands for, and his tournament, by extension stands for the very best of the game of golf, plain and simple."

If anyone holds his victory at Bay Hill more dear than Roberts, it might be Paul Azinger, the 1993 PGA champion and the captain of the victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Azinger was a member of the Brevard Junior College golf team when he went to work as a summer counselor and instructor in 1979 at the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy. The eight weeks at Bay Hill literally altered his prospects as a golfer.

"I was on the C Team at Brevard at the time, and I had never broken 70 in my life up to that point. I just wasn't a very good player," Azinger recalled. "But living at Bay Hill, working with kids, playing the course every day, it really changed me. I went out and broke 70 later that summer, moved up to the A Team, then I got a scholarship to Florida State University, where I played for one year. Six years later I was the PGA Tour Player of the Year (in 1987). How about that?"

Yes, how about that?

But there's even more to the story. Azinger was heading out to the West Coast in early 1988, and a magazine story drew his ire; the gist of the piece was to question whether or not the Florida native was a fluke. He arrived at Bay Hill with the question still dogging him, even though he had posted five top-25 finishes in his first seven starts. He quieted the doubters with a five-stroke victory over Tom Kite.

"That was a huge deal for me, just a gigantic win," Azinger said. "I kind of got that monkey off my back. The fact that I used to work there, and then to win, was really a neat thing. And then to have Arnold standing there with me ... that was the topper to it all. So, yeah, it was a very big deal."

Others who conquered Bay Hill would agree. Andrew Magee, the 1991 champion, has said that only the major championships carry more cachet than the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Paul Goydos considers his 1996 triumph "as good as a major." Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, who captured the 1993 title, said Palmer's tournament ranks among the finest in golf simply because of its host. Chad Campbell lists among his career highlights the 2005 edition, when he not only captured his second PGA Tour trophy, but also had the honor of playing with Palmer in the first two rounds of what was the King's final appearance as a competitor.

"When you win a tournament that has the name of Arnold Palmer on it, obviously, it's going to be special. It means a lot," says Ernie Els, the 1998 champion. "I've been very fortunate. I've won tournaments hosted by Arnold, Byron Nelson and Jack Nicklaus and you feel those have a little bit more to them.

"You also have to look at the golf course; that is one tough place," Els added with a grin. "You're never going to scrape it around there and expect to do well. It asks a lot of your game there. It keeps you on your toes, and at the end of the week, if you're the winner, you know you've earned it."

One of Kenny Perry's 10 victories since turning 40 came at the 2005 Arnold Palmer Invitational, and he admits it took some of his best golf to register his two-stroke victory over Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell.

"Bay Hill is a tactician kind of golf course," said Perry, who won the FBR Open in February. "You really have to navigate around all the problems, and you have to hit it good and be smart at the same time. Normally the rough is very tough and the greens are firm. The year I won, I hit more fairways than anybody else. I drove it great, and that's what you have to do because that sets up everything else.

"That was a special week," Perry added. "I played so well, and when you get in that position in an event that means something to you ... you try not to think about it. You start to think about what it means to win Arnold Palmer's tournament and you could mess up real quickly. And then to have him standing out there with that big sword ... getting the trophy from him, that was magical stuff."

The 31st Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is scheduled for March 23-29, the final stop on the PGA Tour's Florida Swing. Tiger Woods is the defending champion of the premier invitational event that features 120 of the game's best players from around the world.

For tickets or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 09:35 AM

GEARING UP FOR MORE GREAT GOLF

February 11, 2009

Host Arnold Palmer relishes new date, expects great field for 31st annual PGA Tour tournament that bears his name

He is nearing his 80th birthday and doesn't play golf quite as much as he used to, but Arnold Palmer still has a passion for the game, still wants to give back to it and still enjoys talking about it, especially when the tournament that bears his name is one of the topics.

"My mind never strays too far from the game. It's what I love, and it's something that has given me great joy and satisfaction through the years," Palmer said. "If you want to talk about golf, I'm always a willing participant. And that's true in regards to anything else related to golf, be it playing, watching or hosting a golf tournament."

On that last score, Palmer is pulling double duty in 2009. Having just recently served as host for the 50th Bob Hope Classic in Palm Desert, California, the legendary leader of Arnie's Army now is gearing up to host the 31st annual Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. The invitational tournament contested at Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, has a new slot on the PGA Tour calendar, being played March 23-29 as the anchor tournament in the Tour's Florida swing. Palmer, now age 79, is expecting another strong field as the tournament moves to a position just two weeks before the Masters Tournament, the year's first major championship.

"I like the new dates, and it could make our field stronger, although we've always enjoyed having great fields," said Palmer, winner of 62 PGA Tour titles, including seven professional major championships. "I think being two weeks before the Masters, that's something new to talk about, and I like it, obviously. I'm optimistic that we'll have a great event."

Could the new dates warrant a change in golf course setup?

"I think we'll want to speed the greens up just slightly to give the guys a feel for faster greens," Palmer said. "Since we're closer to the Masters, we want to justify guys coming here to not only compete, but also to get ready to attack Augusta. By and large the course will be about the same as it has been, a very good test."

The Champion Course at Bay Hill Club, converted in 2007 to a par-70 layout, plays to 7,157 yards with fast fairways lined by three inches of rough, and firm greens. Tiger Woods is the defending champion after sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to score a one-stroke victory over Bart Bryant and win Palmer's tournament for the fifth time.

"It will be tough to top that finish," Palmer said enthusiastically, "but every year brings something pretty exciting. We have had great tournaments, and we are expecting another great one this year. The golf course is the best it's been in a long time. I'm pleased with how it's shaping up. I think the players will enjoy it."

One of the premier stops on the PGA Tour, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world. In addition to Woods, still rehabbing his knee after reconstructive surgery last summer, other past champions who could return include Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Fred Couples, Kenny Perry, Chad Campbell, Tim Herron, Rod Pampling and Paul Goydos.

For tickets to the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the ticket office at Bay Hill at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 04:16 PM

CHERRY HILLS COUNTRY CLUB TO HOST 2009 PALMER CUP

January 28, 2009

Historic Cherry Hills Country Club will host will host the 2009 Palmer Cup. Site of seven USGA competitions and two PGA Championships, Cherry Hills is where Arnold Palmer won his lone U.S. Open. The annual Ryder Cup-style competition will be played June 3-5. Cherry Hills will be the furthest west site for the Palmer Cup.

"Cherry Hills is very excited to host the 2009 Palmer Cup," said Cherry Hills Head Golf Professional John Ogden. "Arnold Palmer is synonymous with Cherry Hills and naturally we are thrilled to host a tournament of this caliber which bears his name. The membership is looking forward to seeing how the top collegiate players in the world handle the newly restored William Flynn masterpiece."

Cherry Hills Country Club was born in 1922 from wealthy businessmen in the city of Denver and carved from the earth by well-known designer William Flynn, who charged the princely sum of $4,500 for his architectural services. But, as anyone knows, you can't just buy tradition. This intangible is earned over time, stamped with the seal of approval by those who have walked its fairways and become champions under the most challenging of conditions. Cherry Hills certainly has earned its place on the American golf landscape. Champions at competitions held at the venerated course have included some of the game's greats: Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Jay Sigel, Hubert Green, Andy North, Ralph Guldahl, Vic Ghezzi and Lewis Oehmig. After hosting the 2005 Women's Open, Cherry Hills joined Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., as the only courses to have hosted the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women's Open.

Currently under restoration, Cherry Hills will play approximately 7,600 yards when it is finished in the spring. Not only will the renovation add length to the storied venue but will also return it closer to the original concept of Flynn. The Palmer Cup will be the first major event played at Cherry Hills following the restoration.

"We're extremely honored to be playing the Palmer Cup at such a fine course as Cherry Hills," said GCAA president
Mark Crabtree. "It's always great to be at a venue that has hosted so many championships, but staging the Palmer
Cup at the site of Arnold Palmer's 1960 U.S. Open triumph is extra special."

Posted by scurry at 10:38 AM

Interview with Arnold Palmer from the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

January 20, 2009

MARK STEVENS: We'd like to welcome Mr. Arnold Palmer to the media center for the 50th Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Mr. Palmer is the host this year. He actually won the very first Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1960. Of his 62 TOUR wins, he has won five times at the Hope after playing in 42 of the 50 events here. And he actually won the last of his 62 events right here at the Hope in 1973. We're going to start out and have Mr. Palmer give a few general comments about coming back this year as the host and then we'll open the floor up to questions. Thank you very much.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, good morning and nice to see you all on this Inauguration Day and to be here. As you know, I keep reasonably busy with my various jobs that I have around and to be here for the hope this year is a great pleasure. And it's a particular pleasure since a good friend of mine, Ernie Dunlevie has also been 50 years at this tournament.

I think one of the things that always attracts me is the fact that the golf courses here in the desert are pristine. They are all always in such great condition and the conditions for playing are so good.

Other than that, and seeing a lot of my old friends that I haven't seen a lot lately, it's fun. It's fun for me to be here and to be a part of this this year.

MARK STEVENS: Okay. Thank you. We have a microphone over here. So please make use of those.

Q. Good morning, Mr. Palmer.

ARNOLD PALMER: Good morning.

Q. Can you talk about the good feelings you have when you come back here? Is that more than just the fact that you won the golf tournaments here?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, yeah, the feelings are wonderful. As I say, seeing a lot of my old friends and being able to talk to them and have a drink with them and just watch what is going on and kind of comparing from the first Classic to this one, and seeing all the things that have happened is fun. It's fun for me and I've been reminiscing quite a lot, just at the various clubs and seeing the various people that I am seeing.

Q. What's the biggest change that you've seen in this tournament? Is it the gallery or what?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, one of the things is the press. The press is far more represented here now than it was in the first one. And the galleries certainly I think in 1960 you could have probably shot a gun off and not hit anybody. But it has steadily increased from that first one and certainly I think that's something that is very important. I think the fact that the tournament and the prominence of the tournament has increased rather dramatically over the last 50 years.

Q. How would you describe the state of your golf game right now and do you play much and do you wish you could play more?

ARNOLD PALMER: I do not play much. I play occasionally in the Bay Hill Shoot out. I played yesterday about 12 holes and my back got sore and I quit. So that is one of my serious considerations when I play, the fact that I have a bit of a back problem and can't seem to shake it off. It doesn't prevent me from doing most of the things I want to do, but it does have a radical affect on my golf game. And my golf game is not good. Occasionally I hit a good shot and I'm like the every day golfer that goes out and walks up the 18th hole and all of a sudden he hits a shot or makes a putt and can't wait to get back the next day. But it is not competitive any more for me.

Q. I know this is, you've been going near to this day of not being able to play very much, but does that make you sad?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, it makes me sad that I can't hit the golf ball the way I once did. That is a very sad situation mentally for me. When I play with some of my friends, amateurs or pros, and compare, it's hard to take. But I enjoy it. And I do it because of the friends that I have and the people that I enjoy being out there with.

Q. I'm wondering if you were able to watch the Inauguration or the oath this morning and even if you weren't, what your thoughts on that were.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I watched it. I watched Obama take the oath and I watched most of his remarks. And I thought they were fine. I think he's starting out pretty good. He's got a pretty rough task in front of him. And I hope he can stick with it. I hope that he can go down the middle as he has indicated he might and get some things done.

Those of us in the golf business are feeling a pretty radical affect on our business in the game. It doesn't matter whether it's selling equipment or whether it's building golf courses, or whether it's sponsoring golf tournaments.

Q. Back in the day this tournament used to drawing most of the best players on TOUR, in recent years there have been a lot of players who have passed it up, what's changed about that do you think?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that's a tough question because I understand where you're coming from with the question and how to answer it without getting into a crossfire is difficult. It's been so very good for all of the players, the people who are out here playing and I would just hope that they would understand that they need to support the tournaments as much as they possibly can. I was a player and I knew and I know that you can't play every week. But when I hear some of the reasons for not playing it disturbs me a little. And they do need to get out and support the events. I suppose like everything else, if there's a dramatic reduction in tournaments, they will then understand and maybe they will support them a little more than they do.

Having been a player and having the experience of understanding what it means to play and be supportive is very, very important.

Q. In your prime, obviously every tournament on TOUR would love to have had you in their field. And yet you know you couldn't play every week. How do you balance the demands of some of the top players who are in such demand with their need to make sure they have some time off?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, you can't, there's not a way that you can predict or know what the top players are going to do. Certainly some players start out with a routine and they stick with that routine throughout their career.

On the other hand, a lot of the players will play every week or as much as they can. I used to try to spread my tournament appearances so that I never missed a tournament more than two years in a row. If I missed it, I tried to go back the next year. Tournaments like the Hope, of course I played every year because I just simply enjoyed being here and the conditions under which we were playing.

But in my early years and when I was playing pretty well I was playing somewhere close to 30 tournaments a year. I mean that was hitting it pretty strong.

Q. Slightly frivolous question, what advice do you have for somebody who is 80 years old and just beginning to play golf?

ARNOLD PALMER: I don't know anybody 80 years old who is just beginning to play golf. (Laughter.)

I knew what you were saying. (Laughter.)

Q. I'm looking for a free lesson.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I would probably give them the same advice I take personally, since I'm almost 80 years old and I still go out and practice and hit the ball and I enjoy that. Sometimes I actually enjoy more hitting and practicing than I do playing. So I do that a lot. And that would be my advice to someone that's 80 years old.

Q. I'll bet you can break 120 though.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, it's getting difficult to do that. I know. I understand. But hitting balls and working at your game, even though you're not maybe taking it to the course is something that is enjoyable, it's enjoyable for me.

Q. I'm wondering if you had ever talked to George Lopez about the last, previous two years about his experiences hosting this and then maybe if you feel like this tournament needs for the foresee able future another of course you can't have another Bob Hope, but somebody to really be established as the host of this for 10 years, 20 years, whatever. Do you think this tournament needs that?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I have not talked to George, so I can't talk about that. I suppose that because of Bob Hope and the fact that he was such a great host and provided a lot of interest in the tournament that that's probably the type of thing that they're looking for here. And hopefully they will find someone that will be able to do that.

Q. You talk just a little bit about the experience of playing in the pro am and that, I assume you met some friends, made some lasting friendships and the fun of it all.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that of course was part of what I enjoyed. And I have to say that even though that becomes a detriment to some of the players playing with the amateurs, I found that it was pretty enjoyable. And today I still have many friends who I met here playing in the pro am. And they're good friends. And in addition to that, some of them were people who had the wares for my association business wise. And that has worked out extremely well over the years, even though I haven't played in a number of years, the friendships and the business associates that I have made through this tournament have been extremely valuable.

Q. From what you know about Tiger Woods, do you expect him to come back as good as ever and how much of a bonus would it be if he came back and played at your tournament?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, first of all, I don't think there's any question about the fact that he is capable and will be capable of taking up where he left off. I think that's, in my mind, that's a foregone conclusion, that he will be just as good or better than he was.

What would it mean if he came and played at Bay Hill to defend it? It would mean a great deal if that was his first event back, which is certainly, let's say, possible. We would love to have him do that. And it would call attention to my tournament and the fact that he is the defending champion.

I think that the most recent situation is that he will come and he will be back and what tournament he chooses, who knows. I don't know. Unless and there's one other circumstance that could kind of foil the whole thing, and that is that he might become ambassador to some country in the world, now that he is, he was at the Inauguration and he played a reasonable role in that. So he may get appointment from the President, who knows.

Q. Kind of off subject, but I assume that you were pleased with the results of the football game on Sunday.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, you don't know what you just said. Or you do know what you just said, but you don't know how that affects me. Because both football games I had a very keen interest in. One, the Steelers have been a team that I have rooted for since I knew what a football was; and the other thing is that Arizona, who happens to have a coach that is a very good friend of mine, and also a scratch player, golfer, you didn't know that, he is a very good player, and he is the offensive, was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And we played some golf when he was there.

So I had a definite interest in those games and since I was forced to make a choice for the coming Super Bowl, I will, I don't mind telling you, unless you know already.

Q. No.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, every year they have a poll and I won it a couple years ago right when I was here. And this year I've made my selection and reluctantly, however, but I'm picking the Steelers 28 14 over Arizona.

Q. When you remember winning here the first one of these, what specific memory comes to mind?

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I think that as I mentioned earlier, one of the things that I enjoyed so much here was the conditions. The golf courses from day one have been excellent. Excellent playing conditions. And of course the people, the gallery. In the early days, I knew everyone in the gallery.

(Laughter.) Well almost.

(Laughter.)

And that hasn't changed too much over the years. But those are the things that stand out. As I said, playing Indian Wells and Eldorado and Bermuda Dunes, that was fun. And the golf courses were ideal.

Q. In the spirit of Inauguration Day I'm wondering if you can talk about which Presidents you've played golf with and maybe who you had the most fun playing golf with.

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, I've had the good fortune to play golf with quite a few Presidents. Jerry Ford was a good, he was a personal friend. Oh, you could almost name it from there. I think the man that I spent the most time with on the golf course and personally was President Eisenhower. I played a lot of golf with him, I played exhibitions with him for the Heart Fund, and after a number of years when he was told he shouldn't play golf any more, we used to just visit. And I, when he lived at Eldorado I would go there to his house and we would spend a couple hours in the afternoon just talking and maybe sipping on a beer or something like that. So he and I were, I would say, very close. He was one of my close friends.

MARK STEVENS: Okay. Well, thank you, Mr. Palmer, for being here for the 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

ARNOLD PALMER: Thank you.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports ...

Posted by scurry at 03:24 PM

Arnold Palmer to Attend the KPMG Golf Business Forum

January 15, 2009

Arnold Palmer, one of the world's most recognized sportsmen, iconic golfer, business executive and talented golf course designer, will attend the sixth annual KPMG Golf Business Forum to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Arnie, as he is affectionately known to sports fans across the globe, was voted 'Athlete of the Decade' for the 1960s, a time when his popularity and success reached heights never seen before in world sport. Before, during and after that great decade, he amassed 92 championships in professional competition, including seven Majors. He also participated in seven Ryder Cup Matches, six times as a player, successfully captaining the side in 1963, and again as a non-playing captain in 1975.

On May 5, Arnold Palmer will be recognized for his lifetime commitment to the business and the game of golf and will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in front of an expected audience of more than 300 international industry professionals at The Celtic Manor Resort, Wales, venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

"Arnold Palmer is not only one of the world's greatest golfing legends, he is also an icon of today's international golf business," said Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA). "Arnold's presence at the 2009 Golf Business Forum will make this year's event exceptionally special and we are privileged not only to be able to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to him in person, but also to have the opportunity to hear insights from one of the golf industry's pioneers and most revered businessmen."

The Golf Business Forum, which has established itself as the leading golf business event for the EMA region (Europe, The Middle East and Africa), will this year focus on topics relating to financing, development, golf tourism, and design, and will include interactive panel discussions, country focus sessions, key-note presentations from industry experts, and an array of networking opportunities.
For more information about the Golf Business Forum, visit: www.golfbusinessforum.com

Posted by scurry at 04:19 PM

Arnold Palmer and Bob Hope

January 14, 2009

Two old friends will be getting together in the desert this week and the golf world is invited to whoop it up right along with the chuckling chums.

Arnold Palmer and Bob Hope have been linked in golf and fun for more than 50 years. The gala 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Classic, Jan. 19-25, will be hosted by Palmer, the man who through dint of being a five-time Hope winner, could for years have practically claimed co-ownership of the tournament.

“It is very special to me to be asked to serve as host of the 50th anniversary Bob Hope Classic,” Palmer says. “I enjoyed some of my greatest success in the Hope in the early years and have loved the Palm Springs area ever since I first laid eyes on it.

“I consider it a great honor to follow in the footsteps of Bob Hope as host of this wonderful tournament, which has been a PGA Tour mainstay for so many years. I thought the world of Bob Hope and spent many priceless hours with him on and off the golf course.

“He loved the game and was a great contributor to its growth and popularity.”

The Hope, coming  just two months prior to the March 23-29 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club, (www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com), puts Palmer in the unique position of hosting two marquee PGA tournaments before the season’s first major, a fact not lost on Hope organizers.

“We are privileged to have Arnold Palmer as our host for this special year and we know Bob would agree,” says Hope Classic president Dave Erwin. “There is not a more appropriate person to help us celebrate our 50th year of this wonderful event. In addition to his success here as a player, it was because of Arnold’s classic style and unmatched connection to his adoring fans that we ever reached such an honorable milestone.”

The Palmer-Hope relationship predates by nearly four years the wave of sporting and celebrity popularity that would make the Palmer name as famous as Hope’s. It was in 1954 after the Latrobe golfer’s pivotal U.S. Amateur victory that Hope invited the 25-year-old Palmer to New York to appear on the monthly “Bob Hope Show” in the then-still fledgling television industry.

“I was in awe of Bob Hope and the situation,” Palmer told Kingdom Magazine recently. “Bob made me feel like I had known him for years from that very first show. And I was surprised at how casual he was about it. He made some offhand comments about how to play golf and how good he was.”

No one, not even the soon-to-be professional himself, sensed at the time just how good Palmer was about to become.

It wasn’t until the Masters in 1958 that Palmer truly vaulted onto the national consciousness, a place from which he’s never been dislodged.

He went on to win 92 times on the PGA Tour, highlighted by seven major championships. The total ranks him fifth on the all-time winner’s list, but it was his go-for-broke style and approachable, charismatic personality that’s made him an indelible fan favorite.

Many of his career playing and course design highlights have Coachella Valley desert roots. He played his first tournament there in 1956 at the Thunderbird Invitational, a tournament that was home to his first desert win in 1959 with a come-from-behind final-round 62.

The next year he won the inaugural Palm Springs Golf Classic, the tournament that would be renamed for host and golf fanatic Bob Hope. He won the Hope again in 1962, ‘68, ‘71 and in ‘73 overtook and fended off a tenacious Jack Nicklaus for what would be his final victory of his stellar PGA Tour career.

He returned in 1986 to participate in the first Skins Game played at PGA West.

He skipped the tournament for the first time in 1997 when he underwent successful prostate cancer surgery. But he was back the next year and in 2001 he shot a 1-under par 71 to become the first player in tournament history to shoot his age.

And, competitive golf aside, Palmer’s had more than his share of memories that had nothing to do with pressure putts and high-stakes golf.

In 1963, he appeared in Hope’s popular movie, “Call Me Bwana.”

Palmer’s left his mark in other ways, as well. Arnold Palmer Design Company has designed five Palm Springs-area courses, three of which -- SilverRock Resort, Bermuda Dunes and Palmer Private at PGA West -- are in this week’s Hope rotation.

After a week of galas, golf and recollections about both Palmer and Hope, who died at age 100 in 2003, Palmer will return to Bay Hill and begin immersing himself in the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational. Much of the pre-tournament buzz centers on speculation if defending and five-time champion Tiger Woods will make his heralded return to Tour golf after following up his stirring 2008 U.S. Open victory with knee surgery.

“We’re sure hoping that it will be his time to make his return to professional golf,” Palmer says. “I hear he’s training very hard. I hope he’ll be ready to make his return to defend again at Bay Hill. The tournament date’s moved to the end of March and that should help our field, always a strong one, be stronger still. Also, being later in the spring will improve weather and course conditions. We’re very excited at Bay Hill.”

But first things first: Palmer will be spending time treading much-loved and familiar ground. It’s a place studded with so many Palmer courses, memories and events (and don’t forget Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant, www.arnoldpalmers.net, in La Quinta!) that reporters filing stories from the  desert can be excused if the datelines refer to PALMER SPRINGS, Calif.

Because that’s what it’ll be all next week.

Posted by scurry at 02:13 PM

Palmer Attends 20th Anniversary Merrill Lynch Shootout Dinner with First Foursome

December 09, 2008

Arnold Palmer joins Raymond Floyd, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman (referred to as the "First Foursome") December 11, 2008 to host the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Merrill Lynch Shootout at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.

The 24-player PGA Tour sanctioned Shootout that began in 1989 was inspired by the original Shark Shootout that was contested in Grand Cypress in 1986. That single day, 18-hole match benefiting the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital served as the inspiration for the current event.

The tournament and interview with the First Foursome will be covered by broadcast partners NBC and Golf Channel.

Posted by scurry at 12:54 PM

Palmer Honored at United States Navy Memorial's 2008 "Lone Sailor" Awards Dinner

October 01, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. [October 1, 2008] – Sports legend and Coast Guard veteran Arnold Palmer was honored last night for his service to country and community at the United States Navy Memorial’s 2008 “Lone Sailor” Awards Dinner. Joining Mr. Palmer were honorees A. G. Lafley, Chairman and CEO of Procter and Gamble and former Navy Supply Corps Officer; and Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA), currently serving his 16th term of office and member of the Appropriations and Homeland Security Committee. John McConnell, recently deceased founder of Worthington Industries, was also recognized posthumously. The black tie gala was held at The National Building Museum, 401 F. Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Palmer was honored with the Lone Sailor Award, given to Sea Service veterans who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers while exemplifying the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. He joins an impressive list of men and women who have distinguished themselves by drawing upon their military experience to become successful.

For further information on the U.S. Navy Memorial and the Lone Sailor Awards Dinner, visit www.navymemorial.org, or call (202) 737-2300.

(l-r) Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, presenter at the 2008 Lone Sailor Awards Dinner, with sports legend and Coast Guard veteran Arnold Palmer and Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (Ret.), President and CEO of the United States Navy Memorial, at the September 30 gala benefit in Washington, DC.

Posted by scurry at 02:30 AM

Team USA Takes the 2008 Ryder Cup

September 22, 2008

"Congratulations to team USA on it's inspiring victory at Valhalla." said Arnold Palmer. The final tally read: U.S. 16 ½, Europe 11 ½. It was the largest margin of victory for the U.S. since an 18 ½ - 9 ½ thumping of the Europeans at Walton Heath Golf Club in 1981.

Posted by scurry at 04:23 PM

EXCITEMENT IS THEME AS TICKET SALES START FOR 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

September 03, 2008

With its latest dates ever – two weeks before the Masters – expectations are high as ticket sales begin today for the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

The API will be played on the week of March 23-29, the same slot on the PGA Tour schedule occupied until two years ago by The Players Championship and last year by a World Golf Championship event. Those tournaments attracted large numbers of highly ranked players from the World Ranking, playing their way to Augusta.

The 2009 Masters will be on the week of April 6-12.

Tournament Director Scott Wellington said: “We have always had one of the best fields of players in the world, according to the World Ranking, including most of the highest-ranked players. But we believe next year we will have more depth of players who previously have not included us on their schedules.

“We also hope we will get several more higher-ranked players.”

This will be the 31st year of the PGA Tour event which started in 1979 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. The latest tournament dates previously were March 22-25, 1990, and the earliest dates were February 26-March 1, 1981.

The 2009 API ticket brochure features defending champion Tiger Woods and the theme line for the year: “The Signature of Excitement.” – a reminder of Woods and his fist-pumping finale in 2008, when he holed a rousing 24-foot putt on the final green to win by one stroke. Woods posted a pair of 66s on the weekend for a 270 total, 10 under par, and his fifth professional victory at Bay Hill.

“No one knows when Tiger will return, but with Tiger here the excitement would be over the top. Regardless, we believe we will have one of our best fields ever,” Wellington said. For tickets to the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the ticket office at Bay Hill at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

Posted by scurry at 12:06 PM

Palmer Attends USGA Grand Opening

May 30, 2008

On June 3, 2008, Arnold Palmer will attend the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History grand re-opening ceremony.

Moving forward The Palmer Center will be the premier institution in the world for the study and education of golf history.

The Palmer Center will offer more than 7,500 square feet of public space, with more than 5,000 square feet of that space devoted to permanent exhibitions discussing key moments in USGA Championship history. A collection of the nation's most significant golf artifacts and documents also will be displayed here. Many of these artifacts will be on display to the public for the first time.

The museum's galleries will provide visitors with engaging displays enhanced by multi-media elements and interactive kiosks. Collectively, the exhibits will present a new history of golf in the United States, focusing on the relationship between the game and the major historical, political and cultural events of the nation.

The signature architectural feature of the Palmer Center, the Hall of Champions, will celebrate every USGA champion and championship, beginning in 1895 with the first U.S. Amateur. A rotunda, illuminated by a clerestory, will feature all 13 USGA trophies, while listing winners of every championship on bronze panels that encircle the hall. Several kiosks situated throughout the exhibition galleries will host a new USGA Championship database that will allow visitors to search every championship by player, site and year.

For more information on the USGA Museum visit www.usga.org.

Posted by scurry at 12:30 PM

ARNOLD PALMER NAMED HOST OF 2009 BOB HOPE CHRYSLER CLASSIC

March 21, 2008

The man who won the event five times will host its 50th anniversary next year

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Golf and Palm Springs icon Arnold Palmer will host the 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, to be played Jan. 19-25, 2009.

Palmer has not only played the tournament 42 of its 50 years, he also won five of his 62 PGA TOUR titles there, including his last, and he’s as much a staple of the Coachella Valley as the tournament itself.

“We can’t think of a more appropriate person to help us celebrate our 50th year of this wonderful event,” said Bob Hope Chrysler Classic President Dave Erwin. “In addition to his success as a player here, Arnold’s classic style and unmatched connection to his adoring fans helped us reach such an honorable milestone. We feel privileged to have him as our host for this special year and know that Bob would agree.”

“It was very special to me when I was asked to serve as the host of next year’s 50th anniversary Bob Hope Chrysler Classic,” said Palmer, who won the inaugural event in 1960. “I enjoyed some of my greatest success in the Hope in the early years and have loved the Palm Springs area ever since I first went there. I consider it a great honor to follow in the footsteps of Bob Hope as host of this wonderful tournament, which has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour for so many years. I thought the world of Bob Hope and spent many priceless hours with him on and off the golf course.”

Palmer’s 62 career wins – seven majors – rank him fifth on the all-time wins list, but it was his go-for-broke style and approachable, charismatic personality that made him a fan favorite.

Below is a detailed timeline of Palmer’s connection to the tournament.
1960: Palmer wins the inaugural Palm Springs Golf Classic, the tournament that would be renamed for Bob Hope.
1962: Palmer wins Palm Springs Golf Classic for second time.
1963: Palmer has a cameo in Bob Hope's movie "Call Me Bwana."
1966: Palmer loses a playoff in the Hope tournament to Doug Sanders.
1968: Palmer wins third Hope title.
1971: Palmer defeats Ray Floyd in a playoff to win his fourth Hope title.
1973: Palmer overtakes and then holds off Jack Nicklaus to win his fifth Hope title and the 62nd and final PGA Tour title of his career.
1997: Palmer misses the Hope tournament because of prostate cancer surgery, the first time he skips the tournament.
2001: In the final round of the Hope at the Palmer Course at PGA West, Palmer shoots a 1-under 71, becoming the first player in event history to shoot his age.

The 50th annual Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Hosted by Arnold Palmer is Jan. 19-25, 2009. Since the inception of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1960, the tournament has donated $45.5 million to charities throughout the Coachella Valley. For further details, visit www.bhcc.com or call 1.888.MRBHOPE (672.4673).

Posted by scurry at 02:52 PM

Exclusive 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard Reports

March 16, 2008

Final Round

WOODS HAS ANOTHER UNBELIEVABLE FINISH FOR HIS FIFTH VICTORY IN ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

As Tiger Woods studied his 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, he was convincing himself that he could make it, because he had a similar putt in the same situation seven years earlier at the Bay Hill Club.

He was not alone in his thinking.

Arnold Palmer, the tournament host, stood behind the 18th green, waiting to present the trophy. He said to tournament director Scott Wellington: "You know what's going to happen, don't you?"

On the green, Woods struck the putt then started backing up, his eyes riveted on the ball. A third of the way along, the putt took a break to the right as Woods lowered into a crouch, his right hand moving towards his hat.

When the putt tumbled into the hole, Woods produced a celebration like none before. He arose, turned and slammed his hat to the ground as he let out a roar.

Moments later, Woods looked perplexed when caddie Steve Williams handed him his hat. "I was like, 'How did he get my hat?'" Woods said. "Evidently, it came off. I need to see the highlights. I was so into the moment of the putt going in and winning the golf tournament."

Woods and Palmer hugged, and Palmer said: "It doesn't surprise me you made the putt." To those around him, Palmer added: "Damn, I used to play and I know about these things. That's unbelievable."

It was the 64th victory on the PGA Tour for Woods, just 32 years old, tying him with Ben Hogan for third place on the career list behind Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73). Earlier this year, Woods passed Palmer (62). "It's pretty amazing to be in that kind of company," Woods said. "I've had an amazing run in my career, and hopefully, it continues."

The victory was his fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He became the first player in PGA Tour history to win four different tournaments at least five times each. It also extended his then-current PGA Tour winning streak to five (he placed fifth in his next tournament).

He closed with a six-under-par 66 for a 270 total, 10 under par, to win by one stroke over Bart Bryant, who shot 67 but said he was not surprised by the winning putt. "That's why he's Tiger Woods," Bryant said. "He has an incredible way of pulling off the shot or the putt when he needs to. He's done it before. He'll do it again."

Following Bryant, tied for third place at 273, were Cliff Kresge, who also shot 67, and Vijay Singh and Sean O'Hair, both with 69s.

Not since 2001, here against Phil Mickelson, had Woods won a PGA Tour event by one stroke with a birdie on the 72nd hole.

"I kept telling myself, 'I've done this before. I did it against Phil, and this time it's a bit deeper into the green and the putt has a little bit more break and it has a little more grain. I've done it before, and I can do it again," Woods said.

While everyone else was talking about the putt, the next morning when Woods called his swing coach, all he wanted to talk about was the shot that set it up. "He was so happy with himself," Hank Haney said.

It was a 5-iron from 164 yards, and those two numbers are an example why that was an exquisite shot. The wind had switched and was coming into him from the right. The flag was tucked behind the lake on a green framed by rocks. Bunkers guard the back of the green, which slopes toward the water.

Woods could have hit an 8-iron that distance, but Haney said Woods is all about control, and he prefers to use more club than usual in the wind.

On the shot, Woods held a slight cut with his 5-iron against the wind and posed over the shot until it landed safely, 25 feet above the hole. Williams, his caddie, held out his hand and Woods slapped it with force.

"It's always fun to see shots he gets excited about," Haney said.

"The hardest thing to do under pressure is play a delicate shot," Haney added. "Under the hardest conditions, you'd rather have a shot that you can swing at hard. All he could talk about was the shot on 18. He told me, 'I knew if I didn't do it right, I could up-shoot it into the wind and it's in the water. If I flipped it, I hit it into the back bunker.' He had to commit to do it correctly. And he pulled it off.

"That was phenomenal. That made him feel good."

Said Williams: "I just hope people, whether they like Tiger Woods or not, whether they like sports or not, realize what we're seeing. This is the greatest golfer ever they are looking at."

"You've all heard what I've had to say about Tiger in the past," Palmer said. "I can't see him doing anything but continuing to pass other people's records in the future. I don't see any change in what he's doing or how he's doing it. I think he is just in a position to continue to do the things that he's done very well up to this point."

The Associated Press, The New York Times, and Golf World contributed to this report.

First Round

COUPLES, HENRY POST 65s TO SHARE LEAD

Two men who haven't been in the lead for quite some time were well out in front of the one player who isn't used to being anywhere but at the top.

Former Bay Hill champion Fred Couples, who missed nearly all of last year because of his chronically bad back, fired an early 5-under-par 65 to set the pace in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Late in the day, J.J. Henry posted one of only three bogey free rounds at the Bay Hill Club for his best score ever here to join Couples in the lead.

The two veterans were among the 33 players ahead of world No. 1 Tiger Woods, who has won his last four PGA Tour starts and eight of his last nine overall. The winner of four straight titles at Bay Hill (2000-2003), Woods couldn't get out of first gear with his swing in posting level-par 70.

"I just did not hit my irons very good," said Woods after his round of two birdies and two bogeys on a day with plenty of sunshine and mild breezes. "I missed some greens that I don't normally miss. "I missed one with a sand wedge, one with a pitching wedge - mistakes I don't normally make.

"I drove it well today. I drove a few drives to the right with my driver, but other than that, drove every single fairway. Just didn't take advantage of it."

Plenty of others did, however, though No. 2 Phil Mickelson wasn't among them. He bogeyed his opening hole and struggled to a 2-over 72.

England's Lee Westwood forged the lead alone with six birdies in his first 12 holes, but he couldn't sustain the run and ended up one-shot back at 4-under 66, tied with defending champion Vijay Singh, 1999 runner-up Tom Lehman and Lucas Glover.

Five men, including No. 8 Jim Furyk, were two behind with 67s.

Couples and Henry aren't the most likely pair to be perched on top.

Newly minted as the U.S. Presidents Cup captain for 2009, Couples, 48, started just three events last year because of his creaky back. He hadn't led a tournament since the third round of the 2005 Memorial Tournament and hadn't led after the first round since the 2003 Players Championship.

"I like to play well, and this year I've hit the ball pretty well," Couples, who won the 1992 Arnold Palmer Invitational, said after his second-best score in 55 rounds at Bay Hill. "Today was a good round on a very, very tough course, and that's kind of what I got out of it."

Henry, 32, who had missed four of seven cuts this year, hadn't broken par in eight rounds over three previous starts at Bay Hill. He hadn't held a lead since the first round of the 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

"Thanks for reminding me of that. Appreciate that. I shoot the best round of the day and all I hear is that," Henry said jokingly when his record at Bay Hill was mentioned.

"To be honest with you, it's been a little bit frustrating the start of the year for me," he said, turning serious. "I felt like I've actually worked hard early this year and towards the end of last year, and was really excited about starting the '08 season. I feel like I've been close, I really have. I had not quite figured it out. Maybe my ball-striking has been pretty good, and today finally just everything clicked and hit a lot of fairways and greens, which you have to do on a difficult golf course like this."

Couples also hit plenty of fairways (12) and greens (11), but unlike a week ago at the PODS Championship he was able to convert more opportunities. He needed a mere 23 putts.

He admits that he's excited by being named Presidents Cup captain, but his performance was more a product of feeling better and being able to put more work into his game.

"There's definitely a boost. It's very exciting," Couples said of his role as captain. "(But) nothing that I know of except for practice is going to make you play better. I did work with [instructor] Butch (Harmon) before I went to Tampa and I started to feel pretty good. I actually played OK there.

"But coming here, you know, I think just seeing everyone and having Tiger laugh at you and Mickelson, and have a few young guys tell me they want to make the team ... you know, it's all a nice feeling. I don't know how long it's going to last. But you know, it's good. It's good, because I'm playing."

And playing quite well, at that.

First Round

LEHMAN HAS HIS BEST ROUND OF THE YEAR

It's no surprise that Tom Lehman is playing well again at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. After all, he's finished in the top 10 at Bay Hill on four occasions, including a runner-up showing in 1999, and seven times overall in his 15 appearances.

But at age 49 and coming off a dispiriting run on the West Coast, Lehman wasn't exactly brimming with confidence when he arrived in Orlando.

His fortunes dramatically improved when the former British Open champion opened the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a 4-under-par 66 to put himself on the leaderboard for the first time this year.

"The ability to play good golf is always there no matter how old you are. It just seems that it gets more difficult to do it consistently," Lehman said after traversing Bay Hill suffering one bogey against five birdies, including a 7-footer at the treacherous 18th. "I can play extremely well at times, but I don't play extremely well for extended periods of time like I used to."

Lehman hopes he can extend Thursday's play three more days after a solid performance - a vast departure from recent results. In five starts this year he's missed three cuts and was 55th and 58th in the other two.

"I play well here, generally. I like the course. It seems to fit my game," said Lehman, who lost to fellow Minnesota native Tim Herron in a playoff in 1999. "I like the way it looks. And I've played here a lot, so I've learned how to play it."

Since his last start at the Northern Trust Open, Lehman has relearned a bit about his swing with the help of close friend and former Tour player Dennis Trixler, who visited him in Scottsdale, Arizona. Trixler figured out Lehman's problem - a reverse pivot that was making his head dip on the backswing. That flaw removed, he's swinging well again, and hopeful for the rest of the week.

"I hate to play poorly, I just hate it," Lehman said. "The first five weeks of the year was a comedy of errors. Sometimes you just have to try to figure out, 'where do I have to go from here?' You go back to the simple little things, and just take care of the small things. If I can do the small things right, then the big things will take care of themselves."

First Round

HELLO AGAIN FOR WOODS, WILSON

Mark Wilson is no stranger to playing alongside the No. 1 player in the world. It's just that it's been awhile.

Wilson was paired with Tiger Woods for the first time in his professional career in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, and despite a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 18th hole, Wilson ended equaling Woods's score of even-par 70.

The last time Wilson shared the fairways with Woods was the final of the 1992 USGA Junior Amateur Championship at Wollaston Golf Club in Milton, Massachusetts. Woods won his second of three straight Junior Amateur titles, 1 up, after rallying from two down with five holes to play. (Woods won his first in 1991 at Bay Hill.)

"Things have changed a lot since then for both of us," Wilson said with a wry smile. "I have one win (at last year's Honda Classic) and he has a few more. He's a little better now than he was then.

"It was fun. We have children about the same age, and we talked about that ... dirty diapers and all," Wilson added. "You know, it wasn't something that was going to be overwhelming. I think I've been around long enough to be pretty secure with what I'm doing on the golf course."

Said Woods: "It's good to see him out here and a lot of guys that I grew up playing junior golf with and college golf with are all out here now. So a lot of good memories."

FURYK UPSWING

Jim Furyk, who has dipped to No. 8 in the world, wasn't happy with his play on the West Coast. After tying for fifth at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, he didn't post another finish better than 20th and was knocked out in the first round of the World-Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

His game appears on the upswing after an opening 67 at Bay Hill.

"I think it's decent. It's not where I want it to be, but I'm not upset with it," said Furyk, whose best finish in the Arnold Palmer Invitational is a tie for eighth in 1998. "I played a good round. I would like to get a good week under my belt and build that one week to a few weeks and right now get some confidence."

TENNIS ANYONE?

Sergio Garcia, who briefly dated female tennis star Martina Hingis, hasn't lost his affection for the courts. The talented Spaniard was engrossed in a singles match with Andy Martinez, Tom Lehman's longtime caddie, late in the afternoon on Bay Hill's clay courts. Garcia was unwinding after shooting an even-par 70, tied for 35th place, in the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Second Round

SINGH STAKES HIS DEFENSE WITH 66-65 START

Thin to win is a common expression in golf.

Vijay Singh might be taking it to new extremes.

Eighteen pounds lighter after contracting food poisoning on a recent trip to a tournament in India, Singh is nonetheless playing the heavy again at the Bay Hill Club. The defending champion chipped in from off the green twice to shoot a 5-under-par 65 and forge a two-stroke lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

Singh, 45, completed 36 holes in 9-under-par 131, two strokes better than Carl Pettersson, who also shot 65 for 133. Jim Furyk, Lee Westwood and Ken Duke were another stroke back at 134. Furyk and Duke shot 67 and Westwood 68.

Playing for the 16th year in a row at Bay Hill, where he has three times been runner-up, Singh posted his 13th straight sub-par score here and leads at the halfway mark for the second time.

"I hit the ball really good off the tee. I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities," Singh said after matching his career low at Bay Hill. "It also helped by chipping in twice, as well, so those are always good to have. You know, playing solid, not doing anything special. Not doing anything too much wrong, either, of the just cruising along."

While Singh was cruising, four-time Bay Hill champion and No. 1 player in the world Tiger Woods was snoozing. Woods, who has a four-tournament winning streak on the PGA Tour on the line, fell farther off the pace after a 2-under 68. At this stage last year, Singh was in an identical position to Woods now, 138 and seven back of Rocco Mediate.

"I just wasn't swinging the club very well today, and when I did put myself in position to make a putt, I didn't make them," said Woods, who won his four titles consecutively from 2000-03. "I'll have to play better and make a lot more putts than I have been."

The cut fell at 2-over-par 142 with 71 players advancing.

Among the casualties sent packing were Dan Forsman, the 1986 winner, Tim Herron, the 1999 winner, Rod Pampling, the 2006 champion, and Rocco Mediate, last year's runner-up. Other notable players missing the cut included Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald, Scott Verplank, Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III and Bay Hill member Daniel Chopra, who captured the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest senior Webb Simpson birdied the last two holes and became the sixth amateur in tournament history to make the cut, shooting his second straight 71 for a 142 total.

Pat Perez recorded the 11th hole-in-one in tournament history and the second of his career on the way to 65, knocking in a 5-iron from 218 yards. He's among eight players tied with Woods for 20th place, as is first-round co-leader Fred Couples, who shot 73. J.J. Henry, who shared the first-round lead with Couples, is among four players tied for sixth after an even-par 70.

Singh, who lost a playoff at Pebble Beach earlier this year, played solidly but also benefited from two shots finding the hole from off the green. He canned a 45-foot chip at the par-3 14th hole for birdie, and then, after missing the green right of the par-5 sixth hole, found the bottom of the cup again, this time from 32 feet.

A famous practice player, Singh was down for five days with food poisoning, a "forced rest," he said. He didn't start hitting balls again until last Friday and didn't start to feel up to full strength until Wednesday's pro-am.

Fortunately, he's familiar with Bay Hill and comfortable here, and it's showing.

"I've played here, for, goodness, 15 years, every year, and it's very familiar," said Singh, winner of 31 PGA Tour titles, the last coming at this event. "I played more golf here than I did in TPC (Sawgrass, where he has a home) more or less, because TPC, I just go and play the tournament there. Here, it's every year I've played it. I've played more rounds here than any other tournament I've played.

"So, I'm just very familiar, very aware of where to hit it and where not to hit it, and just the familiarity I have with the golf course, the better I play," he added. "My game plan is the same. I don't change my game plan. More or less, sometimes I don't need a yardage from the caddie. I just know where to hit it; that's how much I know the golf course."

Second Round

IMMELMAN, DAVIS PLAY ON AFTER 64s

Moving day came early - but not a moment too soon - for two international players during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

Taking advantage of a friendly mix of soft greens and softer breezes, South Africa's Trevor Immelman and England's Brian Davis each fired 6-under-par 64s, the low rounds of the tournament, to save themselves from what looked like a short week of work.

Immelman, 28, who has a home in Orlando, improved nine strokes thanks to a round of seven birdies against one bogey. The key to his day was hitting 15 greens in regulation.

Davis, 33, improved even more dramatically, trimming 11 shots off his opening score after converting nine birdies. Ironically, Davis hit the same number of greens each round - 13 - but his luck proved diametrically opposite. He needed just 24 putts compared to 36 the first round.

"I found something," said Davis, who tied for seventh at the Honda Classic two weeks ago after leading through 36 holes. "I played good today. I played good. I just hit it close quite a lot of times, and again, I left myself four-footers underneath the hole and that makes such a difference."

"I would say in general it was one of my best rounds," added Davis, who moved up from a tie for 101st to a tie for 29th place.

Immelman improved 66 places to a share of 16th place.

"It's been a massive difference between today and what I've produced the rest of the season, which has been pretty rubbish," said Immelman, who tied for seventh two weeks ago at the Honda Classic, his only top-10 finish of the season. "You know, I got off to a nice start and birdied my first hole which was the 10th, and just kept it going. And today I was able to make some free swings out there and hole the putts. When I hit it close, I holed the putt, and it was a great feeling to finally get a good round under my belt.

Like Davis, putting was the difference for Immelman.

"Yeah, I've put a lot of work into my putting in the last few weeks, and didn't putt very well yesterday and did some more work when I was done last night," Immelman said. "It's all about confidence. Once you start rolling a few in, that hole starts to look slightly bigger."

Second Round

SIMPSON ADDS NAME TO AMATEUR LIST

Amateur Webb Simpson, a senior at Wake Forest - attending on the Arnold Palmer Scholarship - joined a distinguished group in making the 36-hole cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

With his second straight 1-over-par 71, Simpson became the seventh amateur to qualify for the weekend at Bay Hill in the tournament's 30-year history. John Cook was the first in 1979, followed by Mitch Voges in 1992, John Harris in 1994, Matt Kuchar in 1998 and 1999 and Bubba Dickerson in 2002.

Simpson, 22, who plans to turn professional this summer, birdied the 17th and 18th holes at Bay Hill, two of the most difficult on the course, to sneak in on the number with a 142 total. He holed a 12-foot putt on the par-3 17th, and then holed out from off the green from 15 feet at the 18th.

"I'm just trying to soak it in," said Simpson, a U.S. Walker Cup player competing for the second time at Bay Hill after winning his second Southern Amateur title in 2007. "This year I feel a lot more at home than in 2006, which is good because I need to get used to being out here."

HOMETOWN HERO

After shooting an 83 in the second round of last week's PODS Championship, Cliff Kresge returned to his Orlando area home and worked hard on some adjustments to his swing. Now his fortunes are on the upswing.

Kresge is tied for sixth place after two rounds at Bay Hill at 5-under 135. His 68 followed 67 in the first round. Both scores better than any of his six previous rounds here.

"A couple of weeks ago I made a little bit of a swing change, and it seemed to have really paid off," Kresge said. "I'm getting a little more confidence with it, and I'm able to hit consistent shots, and I'm just ready to play now."

He's also ready to win on the PGA Tour, particularly at Bay Hill. "This would be as special as any major in my book because it's my hometown, so it would be really special for me."

MAJOR PHIL

Phil Mickelson, winner at Bay Hill in 1997, fired a 67 to move to 1-under 139 for the championship - a good round on a golf course that he has seen evolve into one of the toughest on the PGA Tour. "It has slowly become that," Mickelson said when asked about the course being on par with major venues in terms of its demands. "With the conversion of the par-5s to par-4s ... it's just getting a lot more difficult."

Third Round

WOODS, SINGH IN RECORD LOGJAM AT TOP

An unprecedented logjam atop the leaderboard at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard sets up a final round of priceless possibilities.

Five men, including four-time Bay Hill winner Tiger Woods and defending champion Vijay Singh, share the lead at 6-under-par 204 after a topsy-turvy day full of highs and lows, eagles and others. Also in the mix are Bubba Watson, Bart Bryant and last week's winner of the PODS Championship, Sean O'Hair, who fired a bogey-free 63, the low round of the tournament.

The five tied at the top eclipsed by two the previous record for the number of players sharing the 54-hole lead set in 1990.

Just like Singh did a year ago, Woods, the No. 1 player in the world, made up seven shots in the third round after a solid 4-under 66. Woods, who has 63 career victories, has won 42 of 45 on the PGA Tour when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead. A victory would tie him for third on the all-time list with Ben Hogan.

"It was a lot better today," said Woods, who won four straight at Bay Hill from 2000-03, all while playing in the final group, as he will with O'Hair. "Certainly hit the ball a lot more clean today and I was controlling my trajectory. If you don't hit the ball, you know, well today, you can shoot a pretty high number pretty easily."

Singh looked like he was going to be one of them, spilling five shots in the first eight holes before steadying himself for a 3-over 73. Bryant, one of seven men who were in first place at some juncture, posted his third consecutive 68. Watson also had 68.

"I just hung in there. I knew there was a lot of golf to be played," said Singh, 45, seeking his first win since last year's victory at Bay Hill. "I just believed in my swing and kept going. I fought back, and at least I have a chance."

Join the crowd. Twenty-four players are within four shots of the lead, including Nick Watney, whose eagle at No. 12 elevated him to a two-shot edge, only to see that evaporate with a quadruple bogey at 16. He ended up with 70.

The hot and increasingly windy day produced results so odd that one of the leaders, O'Hair, shot an inward 30, tying the nine-hole record, and another, Singh, stumbled to an outward 40 to end up in the same place. The top three players on the leaderboard at the start of the day - Singh, Lee Westwood and Carl Pettersson - combined to shoot 9 over par.

"I think it's anybody's game," Bryant said. "But if you're going to say, does it have somebody's game, obviously, he (Tiger) is the guy to beat, there's no doubt about it. That's not to say that somebody can't go out and play a great round and beat him, and not to say he's going to play perfect golf, either. It's definitely there for the taking."

O'Hair's score, which lifted him 49 places, was the lowest since Palmer converted the course to a par 70 last year. He had a chance to tie the course record shared by Andy Bean and Greg Norman but left short a downhill putt for birdie at the 18th.

Singh began the day with a two-shot lead, but gave way to Watney, who after an eagle at the 12th got to 9 under par. He yielded control to Bryant, who couldn't hang on either, promptly dunking a ball in the water at 16 and making bogey.

Ken Duke also had a piece of first place until bogeys at two of the last three dropped him into a tie for seventh with Watney, Westwood, Tom Lehman and Orlando's Cliff Kresge.

In sixth place alone is Hunter Mahan, who was 7 under par through 13 holes before settling for 65, moving up 32 places.

Of course, all eyes will likely be on Woods, who responded not only to a pre-round pep talk from Palmer, but also a bit of ribbing Friday night from Watson, who frequently joins him for practice rounds.

"You knew he was going to play good," Watson, the only left-hander in the lead group, said. "I sent him a text last night and said, 'You'd better get off your butt and start doing something,' and he did. No matter if he's struggling he finds a way just like today he found a way."

Watson added that "everything he (Woods) does, it's going to be incredible and it's going to be unbelievable." Still, he wasn't about to capitulate. "I think it's going to be a good battle coming down the stretch," he said. "It's going to be fun."

Third Round

BAY HILL AGAIN IN TIGER'S SIGHTS

Tiger Woods in first place is the last place his peers would like to see him.

All Woods wanted at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard was to shoot a score that would get him in contention for his fifth straight PGA Tour victory and fifth professional win at Bay Hill, where he began his march through the record books with the 1991 USGA Junior Amateur Championship.

Instead, after a clutch 4-under-par 66 on a hot and increasingly windy day, Woods rose all the way to the top, tied with four others, with 18 holes remaining. Given that he is 42 of 45 on the PGA Tour when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead, his chances for adding to his 63 Tour titles improved appreciably.

"I'm back in the tournament," Woods, 32, said early in the afternoon, before the winds freshened and pacesetters started falling back towards the No. 1 player in the world. "It's nice to have to go out there and play a good round of golf and win the tournament instead of having to play a great round of golf to hopefully get myself back in the mix. I did the work today to get myself back in the tournament."

Woods, indeed, did the work, mixing six birdies against two bogeys to improve his score by two strokes for the second day in a row. His 70-68-66 progression puts him at 6-under-par 204 and in a good frame of mind for the sprint to the finish.

"I feel good. I just wanted to get myself back in the tournament," said Woods, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational four straight times from 2000-03. "I was on the periphery there, seven back. A good round can win the tournament."

After struggling with his swing the first two rounds and making few putts, Woods went back to his home in nearby Isleworth and worked out a few kinks. In the third round, he hit 10 fairways and 14 greens. The last of his six birdies - after he hit it to 2 feet at 15 - came at the difficult 485-yard par-4 16th when he stiffed a 6-iron to four feet. It was just one of three birdies for the day on a hole that played the most difficult with a 4.507 average.

"It worked out perfect," he said.

Just like most of the events that unfolded."It's very wide open," he said. "A bunch of guys have a chance. If the wind blows like it did today, then it will be very interesting tomorrow."

Third Round

O'HAIR EQUALS RECORD WITH 30

Sean O'Hair was pondering a trip to Sea World with his children in the afternoon. This after a spotless round of golf at Bay Hill that had him swimming with the big fishes once again.

Winner last week at the PODS Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, O'Hair glided around the Bay Hill Club with a bogey-free 63, the low round of the tournament, which lifted him from the ranks of also-ran to contender in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

O'Hair, a former Orlando resident, began the day 1 over par for the tournament and 10 strokes behind 36-hole leader Vijay Singh. When he holed out with a closing 30 on the inward nine, O'Hair had moved up from a tie for 49th to a tie for third and was three behind Singh, who hadn't yet hit a ball.

He'll begin the free-for-all final round tied for first place with a chance to become the only player besides No. 1 Tiger Woods in the last two seasons to win back-to-back starts.

"That (repeating) would be cool," said O'Hair, 25, who last week overcame a three-stroke deficit to Stewart Cink for his second PGA Tour title. "I just need to do my part and let it fall into place, not think too much, not try too hard. I need to do the same things I've been doing and stay out of my own way."

O'Hair's score was the lowest since Palmer converted the Bay Hill course to a par 70 last year. He had a chance to tie the course record shared by Andy Bean and Greg Norman, but he left short a downhill putt for birdie at the 18th.

"That green is just a little slow than the rest and I didn't adjust," shrugged O'Hair, who eagled the par-5 12th hole for the second day in a row and added five birdies. One was a chip-in from off the green at the 14th from 65 feet.

"That kept some momentum going," he said.

O'Hair hit 12 fairways and 16 greens, which were soft after overnight rains and relatively smooth given that he and partner Retief Goosen were in the seventh group to tee off. As the round progressed, O'Hair simply went with what turned out to be a very good flow.

"You can't think about what you are shooting. You can't think about what you want to shoot. You can't think about anything but the next shot," O'Hair said. "You are literally going one shot at a time and just allowing it to happen rather than trying to make something happen."

Tournament:Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
Ending:March 16, 2008
Purse: $5,800,000
Total FedExCup Points: 25,000
Course:Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Par:70

Posted by scurry at 06:28 PM

Arnold Palmer to Launch 2007 Masters Thursday

April 03, 2007

The question that has been posed to Arnold Palmer ever since and even before he played in his final Masters Tournament in 2004 -- Will you become the Honorary Starter? -- has been answered. Billy Payne, the new Chairman of the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club, announced Tuesday at a specially-arranged press conference that Palmer, a four-time winner of the prestigious tournament and an Augusta National member, will hit the opening shot of this year's event Thursday morning. A massive turnout is expected to witness the historic occasion. The announcement preceded Palmer's annual attendance at the Champions Dinner at Augusta National Tuesday evening.

Palmer will be just the sixth person to serve as Honorary Starter in the long history of the Masters, which began in 1934. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod inaugurated the role in 1963. Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 and Ken Venturi filled in for Nelson in 1983. Sam Snead joined Nelson and Sarazen in 1984. The position has been vacant since Snead died following the 2002 Masters.

"The time was right to make this decision," said Palmer, who played in 50 consecutive Masters from 1955 through 2004. "As you know, Augusta is one of my favorite places and the Masters has meant so much to me personally throughout my career. I have always been treated so warmly there by the patrons. I hope in some way I can show my gratitude to the fans who have followed and supported me these many years."

"We are absolutely delighted that Arnold has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Starter," enthused Payne in making the announcement at the Media Center. "This is wonderful news for the Masters and his legions of fans."

Posted by dgiffin at 03:22 PM

API Will Again Feature the Best Golfers in the World

February 12, 2007

The 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is again expected to have one of the strongest fields of the year in world golf, potentially with as many as 13 of the current top-15 players on the Official World Golf Ranking.

The most recent player addition is Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who committed on Monday following his victory in the Dubai Desert Classic over a strong field that included world No. 1 Tiger Woods. Stenson, who scored the decisive point in Europe's 2006 Ryder Cup victory over the United States, is now ranked No. 10 in the world.

This will be Stenson's first appearance in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, previously known as the Bay Hill Invitational. The PGA Tour event is scheduled for the week of March 12-18 at Palmer's Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida.

Early commitments have also been received from Jim Furyk and Ernie Els, who are ranked respectively No. 2 and No. 4 in the world. Of the current top-15 players in the world, all but two have played at Bay Hill regularly or in recent years, including Woods, the champion for four consecutive years, 2000 through 2003.

Defending champion Rod Pampling, ranked No. 33 in the world, is among 15 players who have entered from the current top 50 players in the world. There have been 54 commitments as of today, and there will be a minimum of 120 players in the field. Greg Owen, the runner-up to Pampling last year, is included in that number.

Others are Nick O'Hern (No. 16 in the world), Davis Love III (No. 17), Jose Maria Olazabal (No. 22), K. J. Choi (No. 23), Michael Campbell (No. 29), Angel Cabrera (No. 31), Tim Clark (No. 32), Justin Rose (No. 36), Brett Wetterich (No. 41), Carl Pettersson (No. 43) and Charles Howell III (No. 47).

Fred Funk will be coming back from the Champions Tour after his top-10 finish last year. Other commitments include former Masters champion Mike Weir, former PGA winner Shaun Micheel, and these PGA Tour event winners of the past year: Eric Axley, Chris Couch, Charley Hoffman, Will MacKenzie, Troy Matteson, Cory Pavin, John Rollins, John Senden, D.J. Trahan, and Dean Wilson.

Joining Stenson and Olazabal so far from the European team in the 2006 Ryder Cup are Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, while from the American team, commitments have been received from Wetterich, Vaughn Taylor, Zach Johnson, and Scott Verplank.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard traditionally has one of the strongest fields of the year and usually is behind only the four major championships, the World Golf Championship events, and The Players Championship. Last year's Bay Hill field included nine of the top 15 players in the world and 30 of the top 50.

Tickets for the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Posted by scurry at 04:44 PM

The First Tee Program gets boost from Arnold Palmer Invitational

January 31, 2007

Golf to be introduced to fifty elementary schools in Orlando

On February 3, educators from The First Tee National School Program will train OCPS elementary school physical education instructors on how to introduce their students to the game of golf during regular gym classes.

The four-hour training session will take place at 9 a.m. at Robinswood Middle School in the gymnasium in Orlando. Each participating school will receive a set of modified golf equipment specially designed for safely instructing children either in a gymnasium or on an outdoor playing field.

“The goal is to present the game of golf to the students at a young age the same way sports like basketball, baseball, football, and soccer are presented,” said Scott Wellington, tournament director of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is helping finance the program along with the PGA TOUR. “We are hoping the program will build participation among the children of Orlando, the next generation of fans for the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the PGA TOUR.” Fifty (50) elementary schools will receive the program over the next two years with over 20,000 elementary students participating!

The First Tee National School Program is an entry-level golf curriculum designed to be part of elementary school physical education programs. Taught by physical education teachers and based on national physical education standards, the National School Program is a safe, fun, and effective way to introduce school children to the basics in golf skills, etiquette and play. The program also includes the element of character education through the inclusion of The First Tee Nine Core Values (honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment).

“Through the National School Program we are able to expose a wide range of students to golf and its inherent values,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., executive director of The First Tee program. “As we expand each year to schools across the country, more and more children will learn this valuable life sport and have the choice to make it a part of their lives.”

So far, the National School Program has introduced golf to some 490,000 children in 1100 schools across the nation.

About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Augustine, FL at World Golf Village, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has opened over 250 golf-learning facilities in 46 states and five international locations, and has introduced the game of golf and its values to over 675,000 participants.

Posted by scurry at 04:48 PM

Continued Refinements at Bay Hill Club

January 30, 2007

Founder and host approves change to par-70 layout
For Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

Ceaseless in his love for and devotion to the game of golf and tireless in his efforts to make one of the best PGA TOUR events better, Arnold Palmer continues to make refinements to his Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida, in preparation for the 2007 edition of his tournament, which has been renamed the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

While only minor adjustments have been made to Palmer’s prized layout since Rod Pampling’s victory last year, players may find the scoring dynamics a bit different. That’s because the Championship Course will be adjusted down to a par-70 configuration for this year’s 29th edition March 12-18, though it remains par 72 for the membership. Two par-5 holes, the fourth and 16th, are being converted to par-4s, though their yardage won’t change much; the fourth will measure about 480 yards while the 16th will be close to 500 yards. The course’s overall yardage of 7,267 won’t be diminished appreciably.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a few years now, and I figured it was time, simply for the way the game is progressing along,” Palmer says. “You look at how they approach certain holes … most of the guys are hitting irons into 16. It’s playing as par-4 anyway. So I thought we should take a look at this. I think this will make it more interesting for the overall tournament in relation to par.”

Other adjustments to the golf course are of a cosmetic variety. Most prominent is a renovation of the bunkers. The edges have been cut, which makes them slightly larger and gives them a cleaner look. New white sand has been installed for consistency of appearance as well as playability. The remainder of the layout, from the denseness of the rough to the speed of the greens, is being cultivated for optimum playing conditions.

Palmer’s Bay Hill course has always been one of the top challenges on the PGA TOUR. With its humps, mounds and bunkers protecting large, firm greens, and its broad fairways lined by thick rough, the Championship Course presents a series of difficult but fair holes. Last year, amid placid playing conditions, Bay Hill ranked in the middle of the pack on the PGA TOUR in terms of difficulty, with the field averaging 72.225 strokes.

“The golf course is probably as good or better than ever,” Palmer says. “I say that every year, and every year I think we manage to make it a little bit better, a little more challenging. I think the players will find it in great shape and provide the kind of test that a golf course should. If you take care of the golf course first then everything else sort of falls into place.”

For tickets to the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com or call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

Posted by scurry at 04:49 PM

Palmer birdie nets $100,000

January 17, 2007

Arnold Palmer rolled in a clutch 10-foot putt to end a day of struggles with one euphoric success. The single putt earned Palmer, 77, and playing partner Loren Roberts $100,000 on the second day of the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game at Wailea Golf Club’s Gold Course in Wailea, Hawaii. The putt dropped on the second playoff hole, No. 16, the same 208-yard par 3 Palmer’d birdied to tie earlier when he sunk a 25-footer.

The playoff birdie kept the Palmer-Roberts team from ending the event without a skin, something even his competitors said didn’t want to see happen. “Even though we were competing against him, we want to see him succeed and he did,” said Tom Watson, who partnered with Jack Nicklaus to win nine skins and $320,000 to edge the Gary Player-Jay Haas team’s six skins for $290,000. The Raymond Floyd-Dana Quigley team began the back nine tied with Nicklaus-Watson at two skins and $60,000, but were blanked during the day and finished last.

It was the first time since 2000 that every team took home some money. Palmer’s superstar opponents weren’t the only ones hoping to celebrate a Palmer skin. Palmer had been chagrined at having left Roberts in many awkward positions in the alternate shot format.

“I played pretty poorly up ‘til then, but the galleries stayed with me. So, I was happy to finally give them something to cheer about,” Palmer said. “Thanks to my partner for keeping us in it most of the way with some truly great recovery shots.”

The eight invitees have combined to win 553 tournament victories around the world, including 46 majors, and more than $103 million in prize money.

Posted by crodell at 02:01 PM

Palmer to Play this Month in Hawaii

January 04, 2007

Arnold Palmer will tee it up next weekend (Jan.12-14) in the Wendy's Champions Skins Game. Palmer, who will be playing for the 19th time since competing in the inaugural senior version of the TV-popular Skins Game in 1988, will team up with Loren Roberts this year. Arnold missed only the 1997 Senior Skins following his prostate cancer surgery and has played in more of those events than any other golfer.

The new format for the Wendy's Champions Skins Game features four two-man teams, who will vie for the $770,000 purse in alternate-shot competition. Palmer and Roberts will be facing three other potent duos - Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Gary Player and Jay Haas and Raymond Floyd and Dana Quigley. Interestingly, all four Hall-of-Famers who competed in the first-ever Skins Game in 1983 -- Palmer, Nickaus, Player and Watson -- will be playing at Wailea.

The payoffs will be $30,000 per team for the first six holes, $40,000 for the next six, $50,000 for holes 13 through 17 and $100,000 for No. 18. Ten percent of each player's winnings will go to charity -- 5% to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and 5% to the charity of his choice.

Tickets are $10 for the Jan. 12 Pro-Am, which begins at 9 a.m. Admission on Jan. 13, for the first nine holes, or Jan. 14, for the final nine, is $25. Play begins at 8 a.m. on the weekend. A three-day pass is $50. Children 12-and-under are free with a ticket-holding adult.

Tickets can be purchased at the Wailea pro shops, Fairmont Kea Lani, Four Seasons Maui, Grand Wailea, Ka'anapali Golf Club, and the Maui Golf Shop and Roger Dunn Golf Shop in Kihei. They will also be available at the gate.

Posted by scurry at 04:14 PM

Golf Digest Celebrity Invitational

November 17, 2006

Golf Digest magazine hosted its second annual Golf Digest Celebrity Invitational at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles on November 6, 2006 to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Hosted by Arnold Palmer and in support of Arnie’s Army Battles Prostate Cancer, the event featured musicians and celebrities from TV and film paired with amateur golfers. Twenty-five celebrities participated, including Richard Schiff, Peter Gallagher, Richard Karn, Dougray Scott, Joe Mantegna, Engelbert Humperdinck and Kenny G, who was recently named No. 1 in Golf Digest's ranking of the "Top 100 in Music." Marty Rubino, a cancer survivor with a 25 handicap, had a hole in one and won a 2007 Porsche Cayenne. Ketel One, endorsed by Mr. Palmer, was one of the event sponsors.

The event helped raise nearly $200,000 for prostate cancer research.

Posted by scurry at 02:51 PM

Palmer, Grandson Set for Father/Son Challenge

November 15, 2006

Arnold Palmer and his grandson, Sam Saunders, will team up for the fourth time in this year's Father/Son Challenge tournament the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 3, at ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, Florida. Saunders, a freshmen at Clemson University, is a scratch amateur, who was a medalist in last year's U.S. Junior Amateur at Longmeadow Country Club in Massachusetts.

The annual Del Webb Father/Son Challenge, which features a 36-player field comprised of 18 PGA TOUR or Champions Tour professionals and their son or daughter, is entering its 12th year and NBC Sports will televise the event nationally.

The unique 36-hole scramble format makes this event one of the most renowned and affable Challenge Season events in golf, as evidenced by the legendary players that are a part of the showcase. In order to be eligible, all of the fathers must have won a major championship on the PGA TOUR.

The teams will play for the prestigious Willie Park Trophy replica belts named in honor of the winner of the first British Open in 1860, in addition to a $1,085,000 purse.

This year’s tournament activities begin with a two-day pro-am on Thursday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 1. The 36-hole event, played under a scramble format, will be Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3. NBC will televise the event on both days.

Posted by scurry at 04:53 PM

Death of Byron Nelson Saddens Arnold Palmer

September 26, 2006

Arnold Palmer expressed his deep regret on the death of Byron Nelson when informed this afternoon (Tuesday, September 26.) His comments:

"I was terribly disturbed to learn that Byron Nelson has passed (away). He was one of the great people of all time, in addition to being one of the greatest players who ever lived. His record speaks for itself. I don't think that anyone will ever exceed the things that Byron did by winning 11 tournaments in a row in one year. But, I suppose that is not the most admirable thing that he did, although it was certainly tremendous. He was a fantastic person whom I admired from the time I was a boy. He just did nothing during his long life but make great contributions to the game of golf and life itself."

Posted by dgiffin at 04:36 PM

Arnold Palmer to Attend Ryder Cup in Ireland

August 08, 2006

Arnold Palmer will fly to Ireland in late September to attend to course design business and spend time at the prestigious Ryder Cup as it is played in Ireland at the K Club course outside of Dublin that he and his associates designed in 1991. Palmer, who is the second most productive point-maker in U.S. Ryder Cup history, has not been on hand for Ryder Cup competition since his second captaincy in 1975 at Laurel Valley in his native Western Pennsylvania.

The legendary golfer is anxious to see how the cream of the American and European crop of pros handle the highly-regarded, parkland-style course, which his company fine-tuned for owner Michael Smurfit after the most prestigious international team competition was awarded to Smurfit and Ireland for the first time several years ago. The Ryder Cup will be played on the Palmer course, part of the 36-hole complex at the magnificent K Club resort, on September 22-24. Although the United States leads in the biennial event, 24 wins against nine defeats and two ties, the Americans have lost four of the last five meetings and have not won in Europe since a victory in England in 1993.

On the business side, Palmer will attend activities connected to two Arnold Palmer Design Company projects - St. Lucia in the eastern Caribbean and White Oak in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and make a site visit and attend a reception for Milverton, a new course being developed in Ireland. These bring to nearly 300 the number of courses designed by the Palmer company world-wide over the last 35 years.

Palmer will pilot his Cessna Citation X on its non-stop flight to Ireland, landing in Shannon for the business commitments before moving on to Dublin for the Ryder Cup.

Posted by dgiffin at 03:23 PM

Palmer to Play in 'Greats of Golf' Event in Minnesota

July 27, 2006

Arnold Palmer will make his first competitive appearance in six months when he plays in the "Greats of Golf" segment of the Champion Tour's 3M Championship August 5-7 at Minneapolis. Palmer, whose most recent appearance was in the Wendy's Champions Skins Game in early February, will join with eight of his contemporary fellow stars of yesteryear in a two-round best-ball-of-three competition. It will be integrated into the regular senior event at the TPC of the Twin Cities and they also will play in a preceding special pro-amateur event at 3M's Tartan Park Golf Course on Friday.

Don January and Miller Barber will team up with Palmer and play against the threesomes of Bill Casper-Tony Jacklin-Gene Littler and Lee Trevino-Chi Chi Rodriguez-Al Geiberger in the event. All are Hall-of-Famers and/or winners of major championships on the regular or Champions Tours. Each will lead one of the nine teams in the pro-amateur.

This will be the third staging of the "Greats of Golf" event exclusively at the 3M Championship, but Palmer's first appearance in it.

Posted by dgiffin at 02:59 PM

NEW TOURNAMENT LOGO FEATURES SIGNATURE, UMBRELLA

June 07, 2006

Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard Highlights Classic Symbols Associated With Tournament’s Legendary Host

The new logo of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, unveiled today by tournament director Scott Wellington, combines two classic symbols of Arnold Palmer – his looping, easy-to-read signature and his trademark multi-colored umbrella logo.

“His signature is arguably the most recognizable in all of sport, and we obviously wanted something that said Arnold Palmer. There was no need to reinvent the wheel,” said Wellington.

The PGA Tour event, which has been played since 1979 at Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida, most recently was known as the Bay Hill Invitational. MasterCard became the presenting sponsor in 2004. Invacare, Hertz and UBS are associate sponsors of the tournament.

“The new imagery captures the style and sophistication of someone who has done so much for the game of golf,” said Alan Heuer, COO, MasterCard International Incorporated. “As an organization, MasterCard is even more proud to help bring to golf fans the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard – and to be such an integral part of its new look and moniker.”

The Arnold Palmer signature and the umbrella logo are both recognized worldwide as signs of excellence, not only of a famous professional golfer, but also for quality merchandise.

Palmer takes pride and great care in his signature, saying, “I have always felt very strongly that if someone thinks enough of me that they want my autograph, I should provide one that they can read. Very little irritates me more these days than to see the illegible autographs that some people give out.”

The umbrella idea came from Palmer in a 1960s brain-storming session with his business manager, the late Mark McCormack, other lawyers and marketing experts. The focus of the meeting was on the need for some unique golf article as a logo. “How about an umbrella?” Palmer interjected. “A golf umbrella.”

Everyone agreed that the umbrella was one piece of golf equipment not claimed by someone else, and after clearance through a trademark search, the Arnold Palmer logo became the four-paneled, multi-colored umbrella, always tilted to the right, that has been promoted ever since on products and clothing around the world.
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Palmer has told the story of registering at a hotel not too many years ago in Hong Kong, and signing his name. “The clerk looked at it and beamed widely at me and said, ‘Ah, you bring more Arnold Palmer shirts!’” Palmer related. “For a moment I was confused, and then it came to me. He had no clue that Arnold Palmer was in fact a golfer.”

The new name for the tournament was announced on March 8 by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who said at the time, “We have been discussing the possibility of a name change with Arnold and his family … Arnold has been the face of the tournament for a number of years, and it makes sense that it bears his name to honor his countless contributions to the tournament and to the PGA Tour.”

Palmer said then, “It has been a matter of great pride for me when my name was placed on an entity of one sort or another over the years, but I can’t think of anything that brings me more pleasure and satisfaction than having it on the tournament that has meant so much to me for so long.”

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is scheduled in 2007 for March 15-18. The defending champion will be Rod Pampling, and other past winners include Tiger Woods (four times), Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Kenny Perry, Fred Couples, Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, and Fuzzy Zoeller.

NOTE: FOR LOGO ART, PLEASE CONTACT DONNA ADAMS, 407-876-2888
OR EMAIL dadams@arnoldpalmerinvitational.com

Posted by scurry at 11:22 AM

Jack and Arnie: Talkin' Golf with Jim Nantz

June 02, 2006

Shortly after this year's Masters, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer sat down with Jim Nantz for a chat. With cameras rolling, they reminisced about their head-to-head battles and their relationship for 1 hour 40 minutes.

The plan was to turn the conversation into a half-hour show to air on CBS. Instead, "Jack and Arnie: Talkin' Golf" will be two half-hour shows, the first airing Sunday at 10:30 a.m. before the final round of the Memorial tournament and the second airing July 2.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, which employs Nicklaus as a spokesman, bought the airtime.

CBS is promoting the interview as a first.

"Arnold and I have been together lots of times, and obviously we've talked lots of times," Nicklaus said Thursday. "But we've never put together any kind of show for posterity.

"I think it's kind of neat that we did it. I don't know why it hadn't been done before. But, by gosh, it hadn't been, so it was time to do it."

The show displays a warm connection between these two golf legends, even though there have been reports over the years that they didn't get along.

"I think that, frankly, comes from the press," Nicklaus said. "I don't think the press ever really worries about the facts. Never let the facts interfere with a good story."

"Arnold and I have been friends. Sure, we've had our differences. Absolutely. I mean two guys don't walk around in euphoria all day long. I mean, we were obviously competing, and when you compete you have issues."

"But if I ever needed anything, I know Arnold would be there for me, and I think Arnold knows that if anything ever happened to him, I'm there for him."

"There were a lot of nice things that Arnold did for me when I first started on the [PGA] Tour that he certainly didn't have any reason to do."

Nicklaus equated the rumors about Palmer and him with those about a rift between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

"I heard when I was Presidents Cup captain [last year] that there was bad blood between Phil and Tiger. The first day I get there, Tiger and Phil say, 'Hey, come on, let's play some ping pong.' Two guys playing ping pong and having a good time, laughing, kidding each other. Is that bad blood?"

Sunday's show begins with Nicklaus talking about the first time he saw Palmer, on a Tuesday before an Ohio Amateur. Nicklaus was 14 at the time, and after his round, despite a heavy rain, Nicklaus stood and watched Palmer on the driving range for half an hour.

Says Nantz: "You didn't know he was stalking you back then, did you, Arnold?"

Nicklaus, 66, and Palmer, 76, continue in a similar vein, often poking fun at each other, as they talk about their many battles, beginning with the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills in Colorado.

Near the end of Sunday's show, Nicklaus talks about the final round of the 1964 Masters.

"I'll never forget that round," Nicklaus says. "I played with Dave Marr. Dave and I ended up tying for second, and Arnold, you won by six shots, I think."

Says Palmer: "You didn't play with Dave Marr."

Nicklaus: "I didn't?"

Palmer: "Nope. I played with Dave Marr because I remember this very well."

What Palmer remembers is a conversation he had with Marr on the 18th tee.

"I said, 'David, is there anything I can do to help you?' I knew you and he were going at it for second place."

Palmer says he was surprised by Marr's response.

"He said, 'Yeah' -- and he used a word that I won't repeat -- 'you can make 12 on this hole.' "

It appears as though Palmer and Nicklaus had fun getting together to do this show, and viewers should enjoy watching it.

Posted by scurry at 01:29 PM

The Villages Shoot Your Age Championship

May 04, 2006

In golf, there is one feat few have ever accomplished. Sam Snead was the first. Arnold Palmer has done it. So has Gary Player, several times. It is Jack’s burning final goal…Tiger and Vijay have never even come close. The goal…to Shoot Your Age.

For the first time ever, one of golf’s most elusive goals becomes a major television event…as a field of 80 golfers including Arnold Palmer and Gary Player tee off in The Villages Shoot Your Age Championship - to be televised May 7th 1-3 p.m. on CBS. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for any golfer to enter and come to The Villages to compete for the thirty-four (34) qualifying spots in the CBS main event.

SHOOT YOUR AGE WEEK takes place May 1-7, 2006 at The Villages in Florida. The qualifying event will be an 18 hole competition held Thursday, May 4th at Palmer Legends. The concept is simple - Everyone hits from the same tees - No handicaps. PAR IS YOUR AGE. The thirty-four (34) golfers with the lowest scores at or under PAR (their age) - qualify to play as one of the 80 golfers in The Villages SHOOT YOUR AGE CBS field.

Those entering qualifying receive special discounted practice rounds at The Villages - May 1-3 - as they prepare for the Thursday event. It's truly a dream of a lifetime for any golfer who believes they can come to Florida to shoot their age - Qualify - and then play that weekend along with golfing legends on CBS.

Visit www.shootyourage.com for more details.

Posted by scurry at 11:34 AM

Prestwick to Host 2006 Palmer Cup presented by Monster

May 02, 2006

College golf’s Ryder Cup-style competition tees off at the Birthplace of the Open Championship

ORLANDO, Fla. — Historic Prestwick Golf Club has been selected as the site for the 2006 Palmer Cup presented by Monster announced the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). The annual Ryder Cup-style competition will be played June 29-30, on the 6,544 yard, par 71 Prestwick Golf Club when the top collegiate players from the United States tee off against their counterparts from Europe. The Americans lead the series, 5-3-1.

“We are very pleased to hold the 10th Palmer Cup at the birthplace of championship golf, Prestwick Golf Club,” said GCAA President Tom Drennan. “I’m sure that both the finest college players from America and Europe will be looking forward to competing at such a prestigious venue. We are grateful to the members and staff of Prestwick for making this wonderful opportunity possible.”

Situated on the famous Ayrshire coast of Scotland, Prestwick shares a stretch of land with legendary courses Royal Troon and Turnberry, all who have played host to the Open Championship. Prestwick boasts the distinction of being the birthplace of the Open Championship, having hosted 24 Open Championships, including the first 12. In 1872, the club joined forces with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh to acquire the Claret Jug.

“Prestwick Golf Club is delighted to act as this years host Club for the Palmer Cup,” said Ian Bunch, Prestwick Golf
Club Secretary. “We look forward to welcoming the super stars of tomorrow to our very unique Club and Course. I believe Prestwick is one of the finest match play venues in Scotland and it will be a privilege to see these young players test their skills. The course is a true links layout with narrow fairways and fast undulating greens; there are a number of old fashioned blind shots which most of the participants will not have experienced. There will be a premium on accuracy as opposed to length and if the wind blows both sides will discover the special delights of golf in Scotland.”

Prestwick has been a strong supporter of amateur golf, having hosted 11 Amateur Championships. The first was in
1888 and the most recent in 2001 as part of the Club’s 150th Anniversary.

“Monster could not be happier with the opportunity to stage this top collegiate competition at the birthplace of the
Open Championship,” commented Andrew J. McKelvey, Chairman and CEO of Monster Worldwide. “The whole Prestwick experience will be outstanding for the talented young men who qualify for the Palmer Cup presented by Monster – college golf’s equivalent to the Ryder Cup.”

The 10th annual Palmer Cup presented by Monster returns to Scotland for the first time since 1998, when the event
was played at St. Andrews. Previous Palmer Cup host venues include Bay Hill, The Honors Course, Royal Liverpool, Baltusrol, Doonbeg, Cassique, Ballybunion and Whistling Straits. Past participants include Open Champion Ben Curtis, Jonathan Byrd, Luke Donald, Charles Howell III, Hank Kuehne, Bo Van Pelt, Michael Hoey, Matt Kuchar, Peter Lawrie, Hunter Mahan, D.J. Trahan and Ryan Moore. More information is available on The Palmer Cup at www.arnoldpalmer.com.

Monster, headquartered in Maynard, Mass., is the leading global careers website. Monster connects the most
progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals, offering innovative technology and superior services that give them more control over the recruiting process. The Monster global network consists of local content and language sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and Finland. Monster was the official online career management services sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. More information about Monster is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER.
Prestwick Golf Club was founded in 1851 and is located just 30 minutes southwest of Glasgow, Scotland, on the
famous golfing Ayrshire coast, a stretch of land unequalled anywhere in the world for prime golfing terrain. Prestwick shares its boundaries with Royal Troon and is just 20 minutes from Turnberry. More information is available on Prestwick at www.prestwickgc.co.uk.

Posted by scurry at 03:49 PM

U.S. Announces Palmer Cup presented by Monster Team

Haack to lead American team for second time

NORMAN, Okla. — Ryan Baca of Baylor, Duke’s Ryan Blaum, Roberto Castro and Kevin Larsen of Georgia Tech, Georgia’s Brian Harman and Chris Kirk, Luke List of Vanderbilt and Brigham Young’s Clay Ogden have been selected to represent the United States in the 2006 Palmer Cup presented by Monster announced the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

The annual Ryder Cup-style competition between American collegiate golfers and their counterparts from Europe will be held June 29-30, on the 6,544 yard, par 71 Prestwick Golf Club in Prestwick, Scotland. Georgia Head Coach Chris Haack has been named to lead Team USA, his second stint as Palmer Cup coach.

“I’m really happy with the team that we’ve put together for this Palmer Cup,” said Haack. “Not only do we have experienced players who are having great college seasons, but we have guys who have competed in Palmer Cups, Walker Cups and The Masters. Hopefully we will have as much success as we did last time I coached.”

Blaum and Castro each posted 3-1 records in last year’s Palmer Cup and teamed up for a four-ball victory in the
event’s opening round. Castro also served as team captain while Blaum was assistant captain. Haack - the only U.S. coach to have been selected twice to coach Team USA - previously served in 2002 when he lead the Americans to a 15.5-8.5 victory at Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland.

Baca, Harman, Kirk, Larsen, List and Ogden will be competing in their first Palmer Cup.

Team USA leads the Palmer Cup series 5-3-1.

Posted by scurry at 03:37 PM

European Palmer Cup presented by Monster Team Announced

Players from six different countries compose squad

NORMAN, Okla. — Alejandro Cañizares of Arizona State, East Tennessee State’s Rhys Davies, Oscar Floren of Texas Tech, Georgia State’s Mark Haastrup, Stephen Lewton of NC State, Randstad Topsport Academie Rotterdam’s Joost Luiten, Pablo Martin of Oklahoma State and Stirling’s Richard Ramsey have been named to represent Europe in the 2006 Palmer Cup presented by Monster announced European Head Coach Peter Mattsson.

The annual Ryder Cup-style competition between American collegiate golfers and their counterparts from Europe will be played June 29-30, on the 6,544 yard, par 71 Prestwick Golf Club. The European squad - which trails the United States 5-3-1 - represents players from six different nations.

“We have players with a wide range of abilities from across Europe,” said Mattsson, the director of coaching for the English Golf Union. “Several of our players have links experience, which will be of great benefit, and a good mix between players based out of the United States and Europe.”

Cañizares, a senior from Manilva, Spain, will be competing in his fourth Palmer Cup. The Palmer Cup all-time leader in victories and points, the former NCAA champion has a 9-3 career record in the event.

Davies, a native of Bridgend Wales will be competing in his third Palmer Cup while Martin, hailing from Malaga, Spain, will be participating in his second. Davies Palmer Cup record is 3-4-1, although he did register a 3-1 mark while leading Europe to victory at Ballybunion in 2004. Martin went 1-2-1 last year at Whistling Straits Irish Course.

Floren (Sweden), Haastrup (Denmark), Lewton (England), Luiten (The Netherlands) and Ramsey (Scotland) will be
competing in their first Palmer Cup.

Posted by scurry at 02:43 PM

Disaster Decided the 2006 Outcome

March 22, 2006

Disaster decided the outcome again the very next year. Just when he seemed to have the victory secured, Englishman Greg Owen shockingly three-putted the 71st green from near tap-in range for a double bogey. That brought Rod Pampling back into a tie and he won with his par as Owen bunkered his approach and bogeyed the 72nd hole. It was an unexpected blessing for the 36-year-old Australian, who had carried a four-stroke lead into the final round. Pampling, just the second overseas winner in the tournament’s 28-year history, closed with a 72 and was 14-under-par with his 274 total.

Neither player was in close range the first day, as Bart Bryant and Dean Wilson shot 66s, a stroke in front of former Bay Hill winners Ernie Els and Chad Campbell, Ben Curtis, Lucas Glover and Jason Gore. Pampling entered the picture Friday when he shot 65, the day’s low round, for 135 and, with Robert Allenby, trailed Glover (67-67) by one stroke. Pampling, who had only two previous victories during his 12-year international career, surged into his four-stroke lead Saturday when he birdied two of the last three holes for 67—202. Owen was at 206 with Glover (72) and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, who tied the tournament record with his nine-under-par 63.

Owen took full advantage after Pampling faltered with an out-of-bounds drive at the 13th hole Sunday. Owen went a stroke ahead with his sixth birdie of the day at the 16th and had a two-shot lead when Pampling bogeyed the 17th before Owen missed a 40-inch par putt and, too hastily, a shorter one coming back to give Pampling the new life he needed to grab the victory.

Posted by scurry at 04:23 PM

It's Arnie's Place in Name and Spirit

March 16, 2006

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem confirmed that the Bay Hill Invitational will be renamed after this week to become the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.

"We are particularly excited about this development for the future of the tournament here at Bay Hill," Finchem said. "Arnold, of course, is inextricably related to this championship. He created it. He and Jack Nicklaus created the PGA Tour; I often say, if it wasn't for Arnold, I wouldn't have a job."

Palmer founded the Bay Hill Invitational 27 years ago, when it was named the Bay Hill Citrus Classic. Under Palmer's guidance, the tournamenthas evolved into one of the Tour's premier events.

The name change occured after a suggestion by Palmer's daughter, Amy Saunders. Finchem concurred and made the change official. Importantly, I think what's happened here with the development of the tournament under Arnold's tutelage is very special," Finchem said. "It is one of those things that's a part of the texture and the fabric of the PGA Tour."

The name change is, in a word, a formality as Palmer has been the overseer of the tournament since he moved the event across Orlando from Rio Pinar to the Bay Hill Club in 1979.

"If it can be what I had hoped this tournament would be over the years, I'll be very happy for it," Palmer said.

When asked if we can expecct his comeback in the first-ever Arnold Palmer Invitational, Palmer responded, "I won't have any problem with that at all. I can promise you that. So it's pretty easy for me to say I will not miss trying to play."

Regarding his opinion of the condition of the course for this year's event, Palmer put it bluntly, "I suppose that the bottom line for our purposes is that the golf course is the best this year that it has ever been."

Players will notice that the rough is precariously deep, but the fairways are not narrower from regular member play. Palmer has allowed the rough to grow to 3 1/2 inches, topping it off last Sunday. It will not be mowed throughout the tournament. According to Palmer, the greens and fairways have responded to off-season treatments very well and the length of the golf course is unchanged. The greens will be running "a modest 11 or 12 on the speeds."

"We have kept it muc the same as it has been over the past few years," he said. "We haven't really tried to change the character of the golf course." Palmer takes great care not to trick up his prized golf course, leaving the classic layout alone for the membership, while providing the professionals a demanding challenge.

"Well, I really have to analyze the situation and look at it from all aspects of the game of golf," Palmer said. "One of the things we continually try and do is grow the game, and grow it not for the professionals necessarily, certainly in their interest, but grow the game for the people who go out and play the game and enjoy playing it."

So far, Palmer's plan for Bay Hill has worked even though the average driving distance on the Tour has risen over the past few years with the advancement of equipment technology.

"Last year, I was very happy with the consistency of how the golf course was treated by these long hitter, 12-under-par," he said. "If we can keep in that area, that doesn't change much in 50 years; it's still running around the same number."

Bob Byman won the first Bay Hill tournament with a 278 total in 1979.

It's a delicate balance, but one Palmer pays close attention.

"So I have to look at it from the point of view that I love the game and I don't want to ruin it for the guys who go out and shoot 80 or 85," He said. "I want them to be able to enjoy it and I want them to feel like they can go out and improve their games just like the professionals can improve theirs."

The game is in good hands with Palmer and renaming the tournament will remind us all of that.

Posted by scurry at 08:32 AM

Tiger Woods on the Arnold Palmer Invitational

"I think it's a title that it certainly deserves, he deserves it after what Arnold has meant to not only our game of golf here in the United States but around the world. It's certainly something that I think has been long overdue," Tiger Woods said.

Posted by scurry at 07:52 AM

Els Echos Palmer's Sentiments

Arnold Palmer indicated he wants the rough as difficult as ever this week to force players to become more accurate off the tee.

"I agree with Arnold," Ernie Els said. "We play the tour, the tour should be on a different level than you guys play on Saturday, Sunday mornings."

He agrees with Palmer's assesment of hitting it long and accurate in order to score.

"If you hit the ball a long way, you should be reasonably accurate, he said. "If you have a 35-40-yards wide fairway we should be good enough to hit it 310 and keep it in the fairway. And that's what we practice for. Not one player on tour has the philosophy of just oging out and hitting it all over the place."

Posted by scurry at 07:48 AM

Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard FIGURES TO AGAIN RANK AMONG WORLD’S TOP TEN

March 11, 2006

The Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard will have the second-strongest field in the world so far this year, and figures to again rank among the world’s top 10 tournaments for 2006 at the year’s end.

The players committed for the PGA Tour event scheduled for Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club for the week of March 13-19 include four of the top five players on the Official World Golf Ranking, nine of the top 15, and 30 of the top 50. So far in 2006, only the Accenture Match Play, one of the World Golf Championship events, has had a stronger field.

In 2005, Bay Hill’s field was the world’s ninth strongest behind only the four major championships, The Players Championship, and the three World Golf Championship events. The same four of the world’s top five players and nine of the top 15 were in the field.

The world’s top four players are entered this year, led by No. 1 Tiger Woods, the champion at Bay Hill for four consecutive years, 2000 through 2003. Then comes Vijay Singh (No. 2 in the world), Retief Goosen (No. 3), and 1998 Bay Hill champion Ernie Els (No. 4). Others from among the top 15 in the world who have entered are Sergio Garcia (No. 6), Jim Furyk (No. 7), Adam Scott (No. 9), 2005 European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie (No. 11), and reigning U. S. Open champion Michael Campbell (No. 15).

Other high-ranking players in the field are 2004 Bay Hill champion Chad Campbell (No. 19), Angel Cabrera (No. 22), Scott Verplank (No. 24), Geoff Ogilvy (No. 25), Jose Maria Olazabal (No. 26), Darren Clarke (No. 27), Stuart Appleby (No. 29), Tom Lehman (No. 31), Bart Bryant (No. 32), Stewart Cink (No. 34), Robert Allenby (No. 35), K. J. Choi (No. 36), Mike Weir (No. 38), Sean O’Hair (No. 40), Lee Westwood (No. 42), Brandt Jobe (No. 44), Zach Johnson (No. 45), John Daly (No. 46), Mark Hensby (No. 48), Lucas Glover (No. 49) and Carl Pettersson (No. 50).

2006 BAY HILL INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

Robert Allenby
Stuart Appleby
Arjun Atwal
Woody Austin
Clint Avret
Paul Azinger
Craig Barlow
Shane Bertsch
Henrik Bjornstad
Jason Bohn
David Branshaw
Jeff Brehaut
Mark Brooks
Bart Bryant
Angel Cabrera
Chad Campbell
Michael Campbell
K. J. Choi
Daniel Chopra
Stewart Cink
Darren Clarke
Ben Curtis
John Daly
Robert Damron
Patrick Damron
Brian Davis
Bubba Dickerson
David Duval
Ernie Els
Nick Faldo
Brad Faxon
Dan Forsman
Carlos Franco
Harrison Frazar
Fred Funk
Jim Furyk
Robert Gamez
Sergio Garcia
Brian Gay
Lucas Glover
Retief Goosen
Jason Gore
Paul Goydos
Nathan Green
Todd Hamilton
J. J. Henry
Mark Hensby
Tim Herron
J. B. Holmes
Charles Howell III
Mike Hulbert
Billy Hurley III
John Huston
Trevor Immelman
Fredrik Jacobson
Brandt Jobe
Zach Johnson
Steve Jones
Jonathon Kaye
Jerry Kelly
Hank Kuehne
Bernhard Langer
Paul Lawrie
Tom Lehman
Peter Lonard
Steve Lowery
Jeff Maggert
Hunter Mahan
Shigeki Maruyama
Len Mattiace
Bob May
Rocco Mediate
Shaun Micheel
Colin Montgomerie
Ryan Moore
Kevin Na
Sean O’Hair
Mark O’Meara
Joe Ogilvie
Geoff Ogilvy
Jose Maria Olazabal
Greg Owen
Ryan Palmer
Rod Pampling
Corey Pavin
Pat Perez
Craig Perks
Tom Pernice Jr.
Tim Petrovic
Carl Pettersson
Ian Poulter
Dicky Pride
Ted Purdy
Tag Ridings
Justin Rose
Sam Saunders
Adam Scott
John Senden
Paul Sheehan
Wes Short Jr.
Webb Simpson
Joey Sindelar
Vijay Singh
Heath Slocum
Jeff Sluman
Kevin Stadler
Vaughn Taylor
Kirk Triplett
Bo Van Pelt
Scott Verplank
Duffy Waldorf
Camilo Villegas
Charles Warren
Nick Watney
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir
Lee Westwood
Dean Wilson
Mark Wilson
Tiger Woods

Total Field -- 120

2006 BAY HILL INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD
PRO-AMATEUR FIELD

Appleby, Stuart
Bohn, Jason
Bryant, Bart
Campbell, Chad
Campbell, Michael
Choi, K. J.
Chopra, Daniel
Cink, Stewart
Clarke, Darren
Daly, John
Els, Ernie
Faxon, Brad
Funk, Fred
Furyk, Jim
Garcia, Sergio
Glover, Lucas
Goosen, Retief
Gore, Jason
Herron, Tim
Howell, Charles III
Jobe, Brandt
Johnson, Zach
Kaye, Jonathan
Langer, Bernhard
Lehman, Tom
Lonard, Peter
Maruyama, Shigeki
Micheel, Shaun
Montgomerie, Colin
O’Hair, Sean
O’Meara, Mark
Ogilvy, Geoff
Ogivlie, Joe
Olazabal, Jose Maria
Owen, Greg
Palmer, Arnold
Pampling, Rod
Pavin, Corey
Pernice, Tom Jr.
Petrovic, Tim
Pettersson, Carl
Purdy, Ted
Rose, Justin
Scott, Adam
Sindelar, Joey
Singh, Vijay
Slocum, Heath
Sluman, Jeff
Taylor, Vaughan
Van Pelt, Bo
Verplank, Scott
Weir, Mike
Woods, Tiger

Posted by scurry at 11:45 PM

Bay Hill Event Being Renamed to Honor Arnold Palmer

Will Become Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in 2007

ORLANDO, FL – PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem announced today that the TOUR’s Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard is changing names after this year to honor its longtime host, World Golf Hall of Famer Arnold Palmer.

Beginning in 2007, the tournament will be known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. It is held annually at Palmer’s Bay Hill Club.

“We have been discussing the possibility of a name change with Arnold and his family and how it would be an appropriate tribute to one of the game’s all-time great champions and ambassadors,” Finchem explained. “There was a strong sentiment to do this, and in the end we determined that it might as well occur sooner than later, particularly now that Arnold has consciously reduced his competitive playing schedule.

“Arnold has been the face of the tournament for a number of years, and it makes sense that it bears his name to honor his countless contributions to the tournament and to the PGA TOUR.”

“It has been a matter of great pride for me when my name was placed on an entity of one sort or another over the years, but I can’t think of anything that brings me more pleasure and satisfaction than having it on the tournament that has meant so much to me for so long,” Palmer said.

The tournament first was introduced as the Florida Citrus Open Invitational in 1966 at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando, before relocating to Bay Hill Club in 1979. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, which has been serving patients since 1989.

“The tournament name change is certainly most appropriate for the man who has changed the face of the sport over the last 50 years and continues to impact it on a daily basis,” said Tournament Director Scott Wellington. “This will do nothing but provide even greater awareness for our event, our loyal and dedicated sponsors, and Mr. Palmer's hospital and the Orlando community as a whole. We are tremendously excited about the future of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.”

“MasterCard is proud to be associated with Arnold Palmer, a man who has done so much not just for the game of golf but for the Orlando community. We look forward to many more priceless moments both on the course and at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children,” said Alan Heuer, Chief Operating Officer, MasterCard International.

About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership organization of professional golfers. Its primary purpose is to provide competitive earnings opportunities for past, current and future members of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around the world.

In 2006, the three Tours will compete in nearly 120 events for approximately $325 million in prize money. Tournaments will be held in eight countries outside the U.S. and in 38 states.

In addition to providing competitive opportunities for its membership, TOUR events also generate significant funds for local charities. In fact, the three Tours reached the $1 billion mark in overall charitable contributions in late 2005. The PGA TOUR's web site address is www.pgatour.com and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

About MasterCard International
MasterCard Incorporated is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard, through its principal operating subsidiary, MasterCard International Incorporated, manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus® and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 105 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information, go to www.mastercardinternational.com.

Posted by scurry at 01:38 PM

Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard Benefits the New Winnie Palmer Hospital

March 09, 2006

The Palmer Family Legacy of Caring Continues

The Palmer family legacy is flourishing as the new Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies opens in 2006, thanks to countless individuals, organizations and companies who have joined in Orlando Regional Healthcare’s mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. As a tribute to Winnie’s many years of dedication, the new hospital for women and babies is named in her honor.

Together, Arnold and Winner Palmer helped form this vision for the hospital, and there is no one who better represents its core values of caring, service and commitment to excellence.

Winnie once wrote, “Nothing is more precious that the life and health of a child. And in many ways no medical challenge is greater than the care of seriously ill or injured children. It’s not simply a matter of treating ‘small adults.’ The care of children, especially infants, requires specialized equipment, expertise, and training.”

The Winnie Palmer Hospital fills a critical need, providing much needed space to meet the demand for labor and delivery services that is outpacing the region’s population growth. In 2005, the Arnold Palmer Hospital delivered more than 11,000 babies – 40 percent of all deliveries in the tri-county area – making it the busiest labor and delivery unit in the state and the third busiest in the nation. It also meets the demand for obstetric, gynecological and pediatric services that has risen for more than a decade.

The new hospital will provide important services for women at every stage of life, contains the capacity to meet future growth, and creates much needed room for the Arnold Palmer Hospital to expand its pediatric services.

The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies will continue to exemplify the same nurturing, patient-centered philosophy demonstrated every day at the Arnold Palmer Hospital.

The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies will join the renamed Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families to comprise the Arnold Palmer Medical Center – a concentration of services focusing on the special needs of children and women in Central Florida and beyond.

Proceeds from the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

For tickets to the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843.

Posted by scurry at 11:40 PM

SAM SAUNDERS, ARNOLD PALMER'S GRANDSON, TO PLAY IN BAY HILL INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD

March 01, 2006

High School Senior Given Spot in Tournament Field

Eighteen-year-old Sam Saunders has caddied in the Bay Hill tournament for his grandfather.

Twice he has played in final rounds as a marker -- with Peter Jacobsen and Dicky Pride.

This year, Arnold Palmer's grandson, a high school senior and plus-four amateur, will tee it up on Thursday, March 16, as a bonafide member of the championship field of the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard.

Tournament officials extended one of the 20 available special invitations to the BHI to Saunders just days after the son of Roy and Amy Saunders, Palmer’s daughter and son-in-law, won the men’s club championship on the tournament course by 17 strokes. It was the second Bay Hill title for the Trinity Prep student, who plans to pursue his education and golf career at Clemson University.

“Sam has displayed his talent through the past couple of years and this is an opportunity for a young man to get out and get some experience in the game that might not otherwise come his way,” Palmer said. “So, we’ll see how he does with the big boys. I think that will be great.”

Among Saunders’ golfing achievements to date, he won the Florida State High School championship as a junior, was medalist at last year’s USGA Junior Amateur, was local medalist and played in the 2004 U.S. Men’s Amateur at the Winged Foot Club, site of this year’s U.S. Open, and won several national junior events, including the prestigious Sawgrass Invitational. He first won the Bay Hill men’s championship when he was a 15-year-old high school freshman.

Posted by scurry at 07:06 PM

There's Nothing Easy for the Field at Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard

February 28, 2006

Palmer’s Bay Hill Club is a well-respected, enduring test

One measure of a great golf course is its enduring value as a meaningful test, regardless of the improvement of the players who take it on and the equipment with which they arm themselves. The Bay Hill Club, which has hosted the prestigious Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard since 1979, has proven through the years to be one of the more exacting examinations on the PGA Tour.

“Bay Hill is definitely one of the best courses we play, one I’ve always enjoyed. It tests every part of your game,” says defending champion Kenny Perry, who submitted a solid performance in posting a 12-under-par 276 total and a two-stroke victory over Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell. “You have to work pretty hard for what you get there.”

Last year Bay Hill was the 10th most difficult course on the PGA Tour, with the field averaging 73.243, more than a stroke over par. Andy Bean set the course record of 62 in 1981 and Greg Norman equaled the mark in 1984. Bay Hill is one of just eight Tour layouts that has not seen a course record set or equaled since 2000, and at only two regular stops has the course record endured longer than at Bay Hill.

Accomplished architect Dick Wilson designed the Bay Hill Club in 1961, but the championship layout didn’t find its identity or earn its high reputation until tournament host Arnold Palmer began in 1989 to slowly, surely and smartly bring it up to modern standards and its current par-72 configuration of 7,267 yards. The broad-shouldered golf course features narrow fairways accentuated by humps, bumps and bunkers, and large greens with strong contours. While generally regarded as one of the best driving tests on Tour, the Bay Hill Club, consistently regarded as one of the best resorts in America, demands much more than good tee shots because of its intriguing green complexes with firm and fast surfaces, its dramatic doglegs, and the intelligent integration of water hazards that initiate numerous risk-reward decisions.

Having said that, those who have found success at Bay Hill have usually enjoyed a good week with the driver. “It's a wonderful golf course for a long hitter, if they are driving it well, because of the way it's shaped,” says Tiger Woods, who won four straight Bay Hill Invitational titles beginning in 2000. “The par fives are borderline for most guys. Guys who are long can probably take a go at most of the par fives. Some of the par fours, since they are doglegs, longer hitters can cut the corners and shorten them up quite a bit.”

“It’s hard to play out of the rough here,” says Chad Campbell, who ended Woods’ reign with his impressive six-stroke victory in 2004. “Everything is sort of set up by how well you drive it, and you definitely have a tough time scoring if you’re not in the fairways. That’s probably the biggest key.”

Long tee shots aren’t necessarily an advantage, at least not all the time, according to 1999 winner Tim Herron. “I think you have to shape it both ways. I think the holes really set up nice. You can kind of see them and visualize your shot, and move it around.”

As far as key holes to consider, two par fours, the first and the signature 18th are annually among the toughest holes on the PGA Tour. No. 1 is a dogleg left of 441 yards. The home hole, also 441 from the championship tees, is renowned for its kidney-shaped green that wraps around water. “Nos. 1 and 2, right from the start the golf course is really tough,” says Ernie Els, the 1998 champion. “Then you have Nos. 17, and 18, that tough green, and the rocks there, it’s a good finish.”

Another hole that causes sweaty palms is the 558-yard par-five sixth, a dogleg left that wraps around a lake. John Daly made 18 there in 1998. “You can ruin your round right there,” Els says. “You want to make birdie, but you also don’t want to hit it left. Anything left is like out of bounds. You got to tee it up from the tee again with that water. So that’s a key hole, a very big hole.”

Loren Roberts, who won back-to-back Bay Hill titles in 1994 and 1995, says the holes around the turn, Nos. 7 through 11, can determine the outcome if a contender plays them too loosely. “I think that’s the meat of the golf course,” Roberts says. “You can’t fall asleep because you can start making bogeys one after the other. But that’s pretty much true of the whole golf course. It’s just not a golf course you can attack. You keep it in play and make some putts, and just go about your business. Physically and mentally, it’s a real challenge.”

For tickets to the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women.

Posted by scurry at 07:04 PM

Ernie Els, Fit Again, Readies for Another Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard

February 22, 2006

Arnold Palmer’s tournament a highlight in Big Easy’s schedule

Fully recovered from a knee injury that cut short his 2005 season, Ernie Els returns to the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard eager to resume his winning ways on the PGA Tour and revisit a layout that he enjoys and where he’s had some success. Traditionally drawing one of the strongest fields in the game, the Bay Hill Invitational, which is celebrating its 28th year, is scheduled for March 13-19.

Els, 36, who has a home in Orlando, was involved in a freak boating accident last July while on vacation and suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament to his left knee that required surgery. He did not play on the PGA Tour the remainder of 2005, but did play twice in his native South Africa in December, winning his second start at the
Dunhill Championship on the European Tour.

Returning again to Bay Hill, where he won in 1998, Els hopes to add to his 15 PGA Tour titles at one of his favorite venues. Nicknamed the Big Easy, Els won the storm-interrupted 1998 edition of the Bay Hill Invitational in a 36-hole showdown against Tiger Woods and Davis Love III. He separated himself from the field with a sterling third-round five-under-par 67, and despite a final-round 73, Els’ 274 total was good for a four-stroke victory over Jeff Maggert and Bob Estes.

“It was a great winning it at Bay Hill, because I was just a new resident there in Orlando,” Els recalls. “I had a lot of fans there from Lake Nona. Playing with Davis and Tiger. I think Davis, Tiger, myself, we were top three in the world then and we played 36 holes together there, so that was a really special one.”

It was also special because of Els’ relationship and personal history with the tournament’s host, Arnold Palmer.
“Arnold was so wonderful to me. I played with him in the 1992 PGA, and he told my agent at that time that he was going to invite me to his tournament,” Els recalls. “He wrote me a letter. He invited me out of the blue to come and play at his golf course. He has always been great towards me. He’s always been a friend of mine. I still have that letter, so that’s pretty cool.”

So were the spoils of victory. “I think getting the sword from Arnold, getting the jacket from Arnold, all that was great,” Els says.

Els, the No. 4 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, has won 10 of his 15 PGA Tour titles and 20 of his 42 international trophies after breaking through at Bay Hill. Since 2003 only Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have won more than the five titles Els has won on the PGA Tour. He missed last year’s PGA Championship because of his knee injury, but he hasn’t missed a cut in a major since the 1999 PGA while compiling 11 finishes of fifth or better, including the 2002 Open Championship at Muirfield, Scotland. He also has won two U.S. Open titles, in 1994 and 1997.

Els tied for 23rd last year on the 7,267-yard, par-72 Palmer-enhanced layout that is among the most challenging the game’s top players encounter all season. “It’s a good course, it’s a long hitter’s course, and I feel real comfortable there,” Els says. “The start is really tough, and the finish, 17 and 18 are very strong holes. But if you’re on your game there, you can make some birdies on the par-5s and take advantage of a few other holes. The rest is just play hard and try to make your pars.”

Els says his forced sabbatical was good for him on several levels, and that he’s ready to resume his chase for more victories, especially major championships.

“Obviously, when you have time off like that you can reflect and set goals, and I've had real time for myself and to be away from the circus, you know,” Els says. “I think all this time that I had off was very constructive for myself, my family, for my business, everything around. I have got things in place a lot better than I had them in the past. I've got clear goals again, I’ve got some energy again, and I'm looking forward to playing.”

For tickets to the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Posted by scurry at 03:09 PM

Arnold Palmer Looks Forward to Another Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard

February 14, 2006

Legendary host pleased with course setup, potential field

No longer a competitor in the PGA Tour event he founded 27 years ago, Arnold Palmer nevertheless is eager to host another edition of the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard. The 76-year-old legend says that although he misses the competition, he has found his tournament an enjoyable enterprise simply by serving as its host.

"I always liked the challenge of playing. When you recognize that it's not fun to play when you aren't doing well, then you move on," Palmer said. "I had to come to that decision. But in other ways I enjoy the tournament as much as ever, and in some ways more so. I enjoy watching the golf, which I couldn't do when I was on the golf course. There are a lot of great players out there and it's fun to see how the course challenges everyone. I enjoy seeing the galleries and a lot of friends."

The 28th Bay Hill Invitational is scheduled for March 13-19 at Palmer's Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida. One of the premier stops on the PGA Tour, the Bay Hill Invitational traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world.

The defending champion is Kenny Perry, who became just the second man over age 40 to win the Bay Hill Invitational, joining Ben Crenshaw. Perry established a three-stroke lead after 54 holes and held on for a two-shot victory over Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell.

Winner of 62 PGA Tour events, including seven major championships (four Masters, two British Open titles and one U.S. Open), Palmer continues to cut back his active playing schedule to focus on golf course design and other pursuits.

"I don't have many plans for golf this year," Palmer said. "There are people I work for, but I don't know that I will play in the events they sponsor (on the Champions Tour). I am considering it, but that's all. I'll be around. I'll always be around to promote the game; that won't ever change. But at this point I have no plans to play very much at all."

Over the years Palmer has turned the Bay Hill championship course into one of the most demanding on the PGA Tour with its thick rough and humps, mounds and bunkers protecting large, firm greens. In years past he has instituted changes here and there, some subtle and others quite dramatic. The par-72 course again stretches to 7,267-yards.

"We expect the golf course to be absolutely tip top," Palmer says. "There are really no changes from last year. Last year proved to be a good test of golf. The rough will be much the same as last year – not long but very intense, very full. It will put more of a premium on tee shots, which I like to see. The scores reflected the difficulty of the course last year, and the player who won it, Kenny Perry, he played very well to be able to win. It was an exciting finish, right down to the end. That's what you want."
"Everything we can control we like to control and we like to do our very best to put on a great tournament."

For tickets to the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women.

Posted by scurry at 11:41 AM

Mr. Palmer Will Again Host the Best Players in the World

February 07, 2006

Official World Golf Ranking confirms elite status of the field

The 2006 Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard is well on its way towards one of the strongest fields in world golf, with 20 players from among the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking already committed to PGA Tour event scheduled for the week of March 13-19 at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida.

With 52 commitments received as of today - there will be a minimum of 120 players in the field - the list already includes defending champion Kenny Perry, ranked No. 11 in the world, and other notables such as Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, and Adam Scott, ranked No. 3, No. 5, and No. 10 in the world, respectively. Current U. S. Open champion Michael Campbell, ranked No. 13 in the world, has also committed.

Others already in the field are David Howell (No. 14), Darren Clarke (No. 20), Stuart Appleby (No. 24), Jose Maria Olazabal (No. 25), Nick O'Hern (No. 27), Bart Bryant (No. 28), Stewart Cink (No. 31), K. J. Choi (No. 36), Sean O'Hair (No. 39), Mark Hensby (No. 40), Mike Weir (No. 42), Fred Funk (No. 43), Rod Pampling (No. 45), Lee Westwood (No. 46) and Peter Lonard (No. 50).

The Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard traditionally has one of the strongest fields of the year. In 2005, Bay Hill's field was the world's ninth strongest behind only the four major championships, The Players Championship, and the three World Golf Championship events. Thirty-four of the world's top 50 were at Bay Hill last year, a group which included four of the top five, nine of the top 15, and 20 of the top 30 players.

For tickets to the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, or for more information, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Tournament proceeds benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Posted by scurry at 12:43 PM

Palmer's Next Tournament -- Wendy's Champion Skins

January 19, 2006

Arnold Palmer will tee it up in February in the revamped Wendy's Champions Skins Game. Palmer, who will be playing for the 18th time since competing in the inaugural senior version of the TV-popular Skins Game in 1988, will team with Peter Jacobsen, a frequent team partner in the past. The event will be telecast from the Wailea Resort's Gold Course on the Hawaiian island of Maui by ESPN-TV from 6:30 to 11:00 EST on Monday, February 6. Arnold missed only the 1997 Senior Skins following his prostate cancer surgery and has played in more of those events than any other golfer.

The new format for the Wendy's Champions Skins Game features four star-studded teams, who will vie for the $770,000 purse in alternate-shot competition. Palmer and Jacobsen will be facing three other potent duos - Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Gary Player and Hale Irwin and Raymond Floyd and Dana Quigley, the leading money-winner for the 2005 Champions Tour season. Interestingly, all four Hall-of-Famers who competed in the first-ever Skins Game in 1983 -- Palmer, Nickaus, Player and Watson -- will be playing at Wailea. Nicklaus is the defending champion.

The payoffs will be $30,000 per team for the first six holes, $40,000 for the next six, $50,000 for holes 13 through 17 and $100,000 for No. 18. Ten percent of each player's winnings will go to charity -- 5% to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and 5% to the charity of his choice.
This will be the 22nd time that Palmer and Jacobsen will play in a sanctioned team event as partners. Arnold has won $1,205,000 in senior skins events over the years.

Posted by dgiffin at 09:45 AM

Palmer, Grandson in Action Again

December 01, 2005

Arnold Palmer is making his final competitive appearance of 2005 this week, teaming up again with his 18-year-old grandson, Sam Saunders, in the WorldPoints Father/Son Challenge. The 11th renewal of the event, sponsored this year by MBNA at the ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, Florida, features four days of play with pro-amateurs on Thursday, December 1, and Friday, December 2. The tournament proper, with its scramble follows on Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4, and is being televised on NBC -- from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT Saturday and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT Sunday. Larry and Drew Nelson are the defending champions. Raymond Floyd won the tournament five times, three with Raymond Jr. and two with Robert. Jack Nicklaus, Bob Charles, Craig Stadler and Hale Irwin and sons are the other former champions.

Posted by dgiffin at 02:59 PM

Palmer, Grandson Set for Father/Son Challenge

September 01, 2005

Arnold Palmer and his grandson, Sam Saunders, will team up for the third time in this year's Father/Son Challenge tournament the week of November 28 at ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, Florida. Saunders, a high school senior, is a scratch amateur, who was medalist in this year's U.S. Junior Amateur at Longmeadow Country Club in Massachusetts.

In the popular Father/Son Challenge, now in its 11th season, many of the game's greatest players join with their sons for two rounds of scramble competition on December 3 and 4 following pro-amateur events the two preceding days. The pros will be playing for a $1 million purse and the Willie Park Trophy on ChampionsGate's International course. Larry Nelson and his son, Drew, are the defending champions in the tournament, which will again be televised by NBC Sports.

Posted by dgiffin at 04:17 PM

Arnold to Play in U.S. Senior Open at Dayton

July 20, 2005

Arnold Palmer will tee it up on Thursday, July 28, in his 25th consecutive U.S. Senior Open at the NCR Country Club in Dayton, Ohio. No other player has started in more than 19 (Dale Douglass). Palmer won the Senior Open in 1981 at Oakland Hills Country Club at Detroit, playing in the event the first time he was eligible, and has not missed the championship since then. The inaugural Senior Open, won by Roberto De Vicenzo at Winged Foot in 1980, had a 55 minimum age. That was dropped to 50 for 1981. Arnold was 51 when he defeated Billy Casper and Bob Stone in an 18-hole playoff at Oakland Hills that year, thereby becoming the first man to have won the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open. His best subsequent finish in the Senior Open was as runnerup to Miller Barber in 1984 at Oak Hill. Arnold competed in the 1969 PGA Championship, the last previous major event at NCR, but had to withdraw after the first round because of a back injury.

Posted by dgiffin at 12:00 AM

Arnold Enters 3M Championship

Arnold Palmer will make one of his infrequent appearances on the Champions Tour August 4-7 when he competes in the 3M Championship at the TPC of the Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. It will be his sixth start of 2005 on the circuit. Besides two majors -- the Senior PGA at Laurel Valley and the Senior Open at NCR -- he has played in the MasterCard, Turtle Bay and Bank of America Championships. The TPC of the Twin Cities course was created by the Palmer Course Design Company. Arnold is only likely to play in two or three more Champions Tour events this season.

Posted by dgiffin at 12:00 AM

Palmer to Deliver Wake Forest Commencement Address

February 03, 2005

   Arnold Palmer, who has had ties to Wake Forest University since his college days in the late 1940s, will deliver the commencement address at the annual ceremony May 16 on the school's University Plaza at Winston-Salem.  Palmer, then a prominent junior golfer in his native Western Pennsylvania, enrolled at Wake Forest in the fall of 1947 when the school was located in its namesake town and established himself as one of the top collegiate golfers in the country.  He later became the first and most successful of a long succession of Wake Forest golfers who went on the fine careers on the PGA Tour.  After many years of service on the Board of Trustees, he was elected a lifetime trustee in 1997.  He established a scholarship there as a memorial to his close college friend and teammate, Marvin (Buddy) Worsham and an athletic dormitory was named in his honor.

Posted by dgiffin at 12:00 AM

Western PA to Toast Palmer at Pittsburgh Dinner

   Arnold Palmer will be honored at Pittsburgh's most prestigious sports dinner on Sunday, April 17, when the Dapper Dan organization presents him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.  Palmer, one of the area's most celebrated athletes for nearly a half century, was first honored as the 1960 Dapper Dan Awardee following a brilliant season during which he won the Masters, the U.S. Open and seven other tournaments.  Palmer still makes his summer home at his native Latrobe.  For further information about the dinner, contact the website:  www.post-gazette.com/dapperdan.

Posted by dgiffin at 12:00 AM

Australian Trip on Arnold's November Agenda

November 10, 2004

Arnold Palmer heads for Australia on Sunday, November 21, to participate in week-long activities in connection with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Australian Open in Sydney.  Palmer will not play in the Hillcross Australian Open at the Australian Golf Golf, but the highlight of three golfing events in which he will participate during his stay Down Under will take place there.  On Wednesday morning prior to the start of the prestigious national championship, which Palmer won in Brisbane in 1966, Palmer will join Australian greats Peter Thomson, Bruce Devlin and Bruce Crampton in a nine-hole "Parade of Champions" exhibition at the championship site.  He will also play in events the next two days at the Royal Sydney and New South Wales golf clubs and will make a guest commentator appearance on the Centennial Australian Open telecast before returning to America.  It will be Palmer's first visit to Australia since the late 1980s when he and his Palmer Course Design Company created the Pines Course at Sanctuary Cove on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Posted by dgiffin at 12:00 AM

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