My family and I have been privileged to play a small role in these efforts. Our tournament at Bay Hill, coming up this week, raises funds for the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, the only hospital in Central Florida built for women and led by women. Helping nurture these institutions was a passion of my late wife, Winnie, and remains a passion and a priority of mine. But I’m no different in that regard from any of my colleagues. From Jack Nicklaus to Gary Player to Lee Trevino to Raymond Floyd to Tom Watson and right on down to the last man on your local mini-tour money list, we’re all in.

You may have heard that Devon Quigley, son of Champions Tour star Dana Quigley, was seriously injured in an automobile accident about a year and a half ago. The resulting medical bills have been astronomical. So Jim Colbert asked me to help with a fundraiser he was putting together in Florida. He told Dana, “I’ll get you some pros.” Jack also showed up. So did Gary and Lee and Raymond and Tom and Ben Crenshaw, Larry Nelson, Nick Price, Steve Elkington, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, Tom Kite, Dave Stockton, Mark Calcavecchia and Jeff Sluman and many, many more. The outpouring was so overwhelming, in fact, that Hollis Cavner, who runs the 3M Championship on the Champions Tour, had to be brought in to manage the outing, which, of course, he did for free. The golf course, The Floridian, was donated by another golf lover, Jim Crane. And to top it all off, Jack and Barbara hosted a dinner party at their home. Why? Because (as Jack likes to say) golfers, by nature, are a giving bunch. 

What amazes me about golf, however, is that the PGA Tour family is just the tip of golf’s charitable spear. Look at the work done every day by golfers in your town, city and state. Charity scrambles, golf-a-thons, cause-related leagues, charity auctions and invitationals abound. Not long ago I read in one of the magazines about a league in Colorado comprised of dozens of local businessmen who compete in monthly tournaments at area golf courses. They play a game they love while raising thousands of dollars every year for local causes. There are thousands of golf groups doing the same thing across this country and around the world every day.

Of course, golf is not unique among sports in supporting charities. The NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all have vibrant and productive charitable arms, but golf’s philanthropic web is wider, deeper, stronger, more committed and more resilient than any I have seen this side of the Red Cross. Why? Let me answer that with a few questions. Could it have anything to do with the kind of people who take up our sport? Could it have anything to do with the messages of sportsmanship and respect that continue to undergird our game? Could it be that golf – so often passed from fathers to sons and mothers to daughters – makes us all feel like cousins? Could it be a sense of gratitude for a life lived on grass; for one last birdie in the fading light; for the soothing cycle of another cool evening spent chasing down a purple sky? In the end, I guess “why” we give is less important than that we give. I’m just so pleased and proud that we do.

Beyond revealing the golfer’s giving heart, charity is also an indication of our game’s health. It’s a show of pride for and unity in our sport. We need that now more than ever. That brings me to the rules. In my seven-plus decades in this increasingly global game, we’ve had very few actual disagreements. We’re facing another one right now.

With the USGA’s and R&A’s decision to recommend a ban on anchored putting and the consequent opposition from the PGA Tour, the PGA of America, golf equipment manufacturers and some rank-and-file amateurs, the stage has been set for something more ominous. I think we’re facing a serious challenge to the rules that govern the global game. My concern is that the fabric that unites us, the tie that binds you to me and me to Tiger and Tiger to you – one set of rules – will be irreparably torn. If both these ruling bodies proceed with the proposed ban and if the Tour, the PGA of America and eventually the average player in effect ignore it, where does that leave us? Where does that leave a guy like Tim Clark, who has for years legally and successfully anchored his putter? Where does it leave the guy at your club or local muni who’s grown comfortable with what has always been a legally anchored stroke? If they decide to ignore the Rules of Golf, how will the USGA maintain a relevant voice in the United States on other vital issues such as growing the game, slow play, golf course maintenance and their charitable work? Does it leave the U.S. Open and the Open Championship adrift from the other majors? Could the USGA’s other great championships or the Tour’s own events be diminished?

I have enormous respect for the USGA and the R&A. Both have been an important part of my life as both a competitor and a man for well over half a century. Many of the friendships I formed when I was playing in U.S. Amateurs, U.S. Opens and Open Championships in the early part of my career thrive to this day. I’ve worked closely with the USGA on a volunteer basis for the better part of my life. Regardless of how you or I or the Tour feels about it, the USGA is charged (along with the R&A) with the responsibility of writing the rules by which we play. They are the final judges. I think – I know – that they take that responsibility seriously.

I hope that behind the scenes the USGA, the R&A, the PGA Tour and the PGA of America – four of the central golf organizations of my life, all of which do remarkable work growing and promoting the game – can come to some understanding and we continue to have one set of rules for everyone. Like most older players, I want to pass along to my grandkids a game that’s stronger and healthier than the one I inherited. That means a game with the interwoven threads of philanthropy and integrity intact.

On GolfChannel.com, Arnold Palmer periodically shares his opinions about issues affecting the game of golf through his column, “Arnold Palmer’s State of the Game.”

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.

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.

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.

"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."

“Arnold Palmer is not only Golf Channel’s co-founder, but also now one of Morning Drive’s most loyal viewers, so we are proud to be naming Morning Drive’s new studio after him,” said Mike McCarley, Golf Channel President. “Morning Drive’s new editorial philosophy is to showcase golf as a lifestyle for a lifetime, just as Mr. Palmer has enjoyed all aspects of the game since first swinging a club at age 3.”

Golf Channel’s popular Morning Drive will re-launch on Feb. 4 with a new format, a new cast of co-hosts and an expanded, seven-days-a-week schedule. Joining Morning Drive regulars Gary Williams, Damon Hack and Holly Sonders is Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. Several other regular contributors and guest hosts include longtime Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman, Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, Ahmad Rashad, 11-time PGA TOUR winner John Cook, Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, former Golf Digest travel editor Matt Ginella, and host of Top 10 and GolfNow Lauren Thompson.

Follow Morning Drive on Twitter: @GCMorningDrive
Follow Golf Channel on Twitter: @GolfChannel
Become a fan of Morning Drive on Facebook at: Facebook.com/GCMorningDrive
Become a fan of Golf Channel on Facebook at: Facebook.com/GolfChannel

About Golf Channel
As the fastest-growing network on television, Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. As part of the NBC Sports Group, professional golf coverage on NBC is branded “Golf Channel on NBC,” further extending the Golf Channel brand to NBC’s broadcast audiences. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s best news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platform of businesses is led by www.GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.

This year’s event raised $86,200, adding to an amount that now totals more than $500,000 given to the hospital over Kingdom magazine’s ten-year history.

With a guest list that included Mr. Palmer and his wife Kit, LPGA pro Paula Creamer and other notables, the dinner was made more special by the attendance of Karli Leonard, a brave 12-year-old cancer survivor, who was treated at the hospital.

"Since Kingdom launched, we’ve been committed to supporting Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the great work that they do," said Matthew Squire, TMC USA’s publisher and founder of both TMC USA and Kingdom magazine. "With the support of long-term partners like Glenmorangie, Whirlpool, and all of our other fantastic clients, I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve been able to do something for the hospital, which does so much for children and families all over the world. We look forward to raising even more money for their efforts over the next ten years."

"TMC USA has always been about more than just business," added Steve Richards, one of the firm’s founders. "We’ve always worked to uphold the values and integrity practiced by Arnold Palmer every day, and supporting the hospital has been an important part of our goals."

"Honestly, to see Karli and her family here tonight, reminds us all that institutions like Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children are more than just buildings: they’re an important part of their communities and the greater world community at large," said John Halnan, also a co-founder.

"Kingdom Magazine and TMC USA, Llc, are more than just donors to our hospital, they are terrific partners," said Jeffery Muddell, Vice President, Orlando Health Foundation/Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. "The entire team is always looking for ways to use their business assets to work to the benefit of Arnold Palmer Hospital, and we are so grateful for their support."

For more information, contact Joe Velotta at joe@tmcusallc.com

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 8, 2013 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that fans will be able to battle nine of the greatest golf legends of all-time in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 14. All-new game mode, Legends of the Majors, gives players a chance to travel back through time and relive the rich history of golf by matching up against the sport’s greatest legends, including Seve Ballesteros, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods. Players can work their way through these legends in various eras and take each of them down to earn their own seat at the table of golf legends.

“This year’s edition of the game delivers a collection of innovative golf features that provide players an unprecedented chance to rewrite the record-books,” said Mike Taramykin, vice president of Tiger Woods PGA Tour. “Players can earn legendary status by conquering the greatest legends of all-time as well or challenge their friends on some of the world’s most renowned courses. Without question, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 is the best edition the franchise has produced in years.”

Features included in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14:

• More Championship Courses – Featuring Augusta National Golf Club, the St Andrews Links, Pinehurst No. 2 Restored and TPC Sawgrass. This year’s game features the most courses ever offered on disc - a total of 20 courses.
• Huge Player Roster – A robust roster of more than 35 playable golfers, representing both the PGA TOUR and LPGA, are featured in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14. Compete against legends of the game both past and present, Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson and Paula Creamer.
• Look the Part – Step to the tee box on the game’s historic courses, experience unique era-specific gameplay visual treatments, wear classic attire and use equipment from golf’s rich history as you travel through time rewriting the record books with your own legacy.
• Make Way for the Ladies – Another new feature to the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise is the introduction of the LPGA. Female created golfers can now compete on the LPGA and attempt to become a major champion by winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship and there are five playable LPGA players including 2012 Player of the Year Stacy Lewis.
• Golf Anytime in Any Condition – For the first time in franchise history, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 features night golf. Tee it up after the sun goes down and watch your drives streak through the night skies with an illuminated ball. In addition, new time of day settings allow fans to play golf in any condition at any time of day in conjunction with a live weather feed.
• Members Only – Country Clubs are back and better than ever with the ability to invite up to 100 members, chat online, tournaments and statistics that will create the ultimate competitive environment.
• Customize Your Swing – With 24 unique golfer swing styles available, you now have the ability to customize the type of golfer you want to be. Advanced shot shaping, enhanced strike meter and ball physics have all been improved to reflect a real-world golfing experience.
• Never Play Alone – A new online experience allows you to play with up to 24 competitors at a time while an all-new dynamic stat tracking system feeds live data from the entire tournament field and makes you feel as if you’re in the mix of a real event. More information about Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition will be coming soon.

The first game details, pre-order offers and downloadable content information for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 were released today on the EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA TOUR website, with additional details to be released in the weeks leading up to the game launch.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 is developed in Orlando, Fla., by EA Tiburon and will retail for $59.99 and will be available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation3. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 will be participating in the EA SPORTS Season Ticket program. Season Ticket subscribers will be provided full digital access to Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 three days before retail launch.

To see additional information regarding Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition please visit www.easports.com/golf. For in-game assets, go to www.info.ea.com.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf, SSX™ and Fight Night boxing.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit http://www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

###

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA has more than 250 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.

EA SPORTS, The Sims, SSX and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Mass Effect is a trademark of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. Battlefield is a trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE AB. Official FIFA licensed product. "© The FIFA name and OLP Logo are copyright or trademark protected by FIFA. All rights reserved." Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Nintendo trademarks and copyrights are the property of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About the PGA TOUR
The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co- sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.

In 2010, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 34 states and in 12 countries outside of the U.S. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 600 million households in 231 countries and 30 languages.

Virtually all tournaments are organized as nonprofit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2009, tournaments on the three Tours generated nearly $109 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to nearly $1.5 billion.

The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

That was an agonizing loss, but with a half-century of hindsight it’s clear to me that such challenges are the key to growth. This is as true for athletes as it is for businessmen and as true for sports as it is for industries. Look at our own game. Golf has been kicked around some in the last few years. Whether it was the glut of golf courses; the damage of a Great Recession during which politicians rushed to make the sport a scapegoat; or the soft television ratings from a few years ago, the game has faced its share of tests.

At the amateur/club level the game is stabilizing as well. According to the National Golf Foundation’s latest available figures, 25.7 million Americans played at least one round of golf in 2011. Of course, in these tough economic times players are leaving the game. For instance, we lost 1.5 million golfers from 2008 to 2009 and one million between 2009 and 2010, but that reduced exit rate is encouraging. The slowing outflow, followed by an influx, is precisely how the game has responded to previous recessions. One underlying sign of golf’s strength: Even with the ebb in golfers, rounds played in 2012 are up 7.4 percent over 2011, the biggest one-year increase since the turn of the century.

Staying with that grassroots theme, I marvel at what The First Tee has accomplished. In the first 14 years since its founding in 1997, The First Tee has positively impacted the lives of more than 6.5 million youngsters. By 2017, the organization expects to influence an additional 10 million youngsters. That’s impressive, and just as impressive is that in October The First Tee announced it had raised more than $106.2 million toward that end. That’s inspiring.

The game’s vibrancy is evidenced in television, too. Who would have guessed that Golf Channel, only 17 years old, would be the fastest-growing network on television? As a founder of the network with my partner Joe Gibbs, I take great pride in that. For those who are convinced that Tiger Woods must win tournaments in order for televised golf to thrive, consider this: 2011, a year in which Tiger did not win a single official money event, was the most-watched year in Golf Channel’s history. That momentum at Golf Channel continued into 2012, which is shaping up to top 2011’s numbers and set a new mark for viewership.

Perhaps the most reassuring proof point of the game’s overall strength is the heightened battle for the world No. 1 ranking. Consider first that in my early days on Tour, we didn’t even have such a system. There was no need for it. Back then, the professional game, while played around the world, was very much condensed in Europe, South Africa and the Americas. Today, however, the game is as global as can be. The players contending for the top ranking in recent years hail from the U.S., England, Northern Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Australia and even South America and Fiji. For the first time ever we had a Belgian, Nicolas Colsaerts, compete in the Ryder Cup. In November, a 14-year-old from China named Tianlang Guan won the Asia-Pacific Amateur and earned a spot in next year’s Masters. He’ll be the youngest contestant in tournament history. Think of the impact that alone will have on golf across Asia in 2013 and beyond.

The men are not alone. As the year comes to an end we celebrate genuine global female stars as well, hailing from places as diverse as Chinese Taipei, Korea, Norway, Japan, the U.S. and, again, China. All of this bodes well for golf’s well-earned, long-awaited return to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. Oh, to be young again! What a thrill it would have been for me to represent my country in the Olympics.

Do we have issues? Sure – what truly global enterprise doesn’t? We need to keep bringing the game to youngsters and women. We need to address the distance that today’s ball travels. Slow play is turning time-starved people away from the sport. We need to encourage nine-hole rounds. We have environmental concerns to deal with and we have to keep a vigilant eye on the standards of sportsmanship that set our game apart. The U.S. Golf Association and R&A recently announced a ban on the practice of “anchoring” clubs – usually a long or belly-length putter – against the body. I applaud them for not only their ruling, but also for the patient and thoughtful approach they took, studying the issue for years and across all levels of golf before making their decision. There was nothing knee-jerk about it. The game is in good hands.

Golf has been played for the better part of 600 years. And while the men and women who play it may age with every passing season, the game has an uncanny way of renewing itself. As I write this, dozens of hopeful tour players – the next wave of stars and major champions – are sweating out the final stage of Q-School. Thousands of miles away, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, purists and modernists are heatedly debating changes to the treasured Old Course at St. Andrews. Meanwhile, in Asia, a 14-year-old boy is months away from his first breath of Augusta’s spring air. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Woods has a rich history with the golf icon as he has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational seven times, most recently in 2012 and he has 74 PGA TOUR career wins, second on the all-time list.

Joining the legendary golfer is a quartet of young rising stars from the PGA TOUR and LPGA. Keegan Bradley, Bud Cauley, Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson will be making their debut as playable characters in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14.

Bradley has won three PGA TOUR events, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship and is one of only three golfers to win in his major debut. He was also named the 2011 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and was a member of the 2012 US Ryder Cup team.

Cauley just completed his second professional season and is considered one of the up-and-coming American golfers on the PGA TOUR. The former University of Alabama golfer was a member of the 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team and had six top-10 finishes this season.

The LPGA’s #1 ranked American golfer and recently named Player of the Year, Lewis, has five professional career wins including a major as her first official professional victory, came at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship. With four LPGA victories this season, 2012 has been a breakout season for Lewis.

In 2011, Thompson won her first LPGA tournament at the Navistar LPGA Classic at the age of 16. She was also the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open as a 12-year old.

EA SPORTS will also be revealing a unique EU version of the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 box art coming soon.

The Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon. For more information and exclusive updates regarding Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, become a fan of the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Facebook page at or follow on Twitter at @EASPORTSGOLF.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling video game franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading

sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and Fight Night boxing.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

WOODBURY, N.Y. -- AriZona Beverages and Arnold Palmer hit another hole in one with the latest addition to the popular Arnold Palmer Half & Half line with Arnold Palmer Strawberry Half & Half. The latest twist on the classic favorite stays true to its roots with a half and half combination, but adds a rosy pink hue from the strawberries with a refreshing flavor and a cool taste.

The Arnold Palmer Strawberry is bound to stand off the shelves with its bold black can, speckled with strawberries and a red top reflecting the delicious contents inside. Palmer's quirky side is also carried out onto the packaging, with word bubbles featuring famous quotes from Arnie himself.

The Arnold Palmer Strawberry Half & Half is available in 23 oz cans with a suggested retail price of $0.99. As with all AriZona products, the Strawberry Half & Half contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

For more information on this or any other AriZona product, please visit www.drinkarizona.com.

About AriZonaAriZona Beverages USA, LLC was founded in Brooklyn in 1971 by Don Vultaggio and John Ferolito and to this day remains a privately held and family-run American business based in Woodbury, NY. AriZona Beverages--makers of AriZona Iced Tea, waters, juices, energy drinks, sports drinks and powdered tea mixes--is the number one ready-to-drink tea in North America and has begun worldwide expansion starting with South America, Europe and Asia. AriZona's mission is to create the highest quality products, that not only look great, but taste great and are affordable for people to buy. For more information, visit www.drinkarizona.com

Q: Still a little bitter?
Ap: It was a sore point for me for a long time.  I had to sit at home and watch my friends play while I couldn’t. I was pretty hot about having to sit out the Ryder Cup until 1961.

Q: Who was your most difficult opponent in the Ryder Cup?
Ap: Peter Alliss always gave me a real dog fight. Like a lot of Europeans, he played a nice, controlled fade, shaping his shots from left to right. I had to work my tail off just to halve him. He was very tenacious and I enjoyed playing against Peter. He is a nice man.

Q: Which ‘team’ format did you prefer—foursomes or four-balls—and why? 
Ap: I didn’t really have a preference. I enjoyed them both.

Q: What was your attitude towards conceding putts to your opponent?
Ap: I think I was generous in conceding my opponent’s putts and I think that was in the spirit of the Ryder Cup. Its original intent was to bring players from both sides of the Atlantic together for friendly matches. The competition was always fierce, but there were never any real antagonisms. That was the way it was with conceded putts, too. Sure, there’d be some gamesmanship—giving away all the easy ones until one counted—but that’s just part of the game. In general, both sides did a lot of friendly conceding. 

Q: The 2010 Ryder Cup was badly disrupted by the weather and had to finish on a Monday for the first time. Do you think the event is being played too late in the year, especially as diminishing daylight is also a potential issue?
Ap: Moving the event to earlier in the year is something they may want to consider. Nobody wants to see a Monday finish and the length of matches and the shortness of the days they’re played on can lead to that unwanted result.

Q: Do you think the authorities should be stricter with players who play slowly in Ryder cup match play? If so, what potential penalties would you put in their power?
Ap: Slow play’s a real problem in golf at all levels. With the professionals, it’s a problem because how do you punish the slow players? They’re all making so much money that fines don’t deter. That leaves stroke penalties for chronic slow play. But that’s going to take a lot of spine.

Q: Have you kept all your bags and equipment from the six Ryder Cups in which you played?
Ap: Yes, I still have them all. Seeing them brings back so many great memories.

Q: What are your fondest playing memories from the Ryder Cup and who was your favorite partner?
Ap: Just having the opportunity to represent my country on those occasions is my fondest memory. Thinking about it still gives me a lump in the throat. As for playing partners, Dave Marr was always a good buddy of mine and a great partner. He always kept me loose and laughing. Billy Casper and I were very competitive, too, but we made for great Ryder Cup teammates. Jack Nicklaus was a great partner. We had a great individual rivalry, but we had a lot of success as a team, not just in the Ryder Cup but in other team events like the World Cup.

Q: You didn’t play in the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale. What was the reason for that?
Ap: Simple. I didn’t have the points and back then there were no captain’s picks.

Q: How did you cope with being the U.S. captain as well as a player back in 1963, only your second playing appearance in the Ryder Cup, at East Lake?
Ap: Cope? It was all a lot of fun. I enjoyed all the aspects of playing and captaining at once. I had a really great team and enjoyed working with all the players. And getting to play, too, made it even more special.

Q: Did you feel at the time that it was a dual role unlikely ever to be repeated, or did it seem quite normal?
Ap: It never occurred to me it was anything unusual. I was happy to take it all in and have fun with it.

Q: How difficult was it for you to decide which of your players to leave out and which to pair together? What criteria did you apply to both decisions?
Ap: That’s probably the most difficult aspect about being captain. And those are the kinds of decisions that make or break Ryder Cup teams. As captain, I looked at all the factors: the personalities, the strengths, the weaknesses and, most importantly, just who I thought could help our team to win.

Q: Most golf fans assume that all match-ups in the Ryder Cup are randomly selected by a draw. Was that the case in your day or has there always been some manipulation of the draw to produce some box-office contests?
Ap: Getting marquee match-ups was part of it. But the Ryder Cup is always going to be a compelling match no matter who’s playing.

Q: What other memories do you hold from 1975 when you were the non-playing captain over a course, Laurel Valley, with which you have a close association?
Ap: That was very special to me because it was my last direct involvement with the Ryder Cup team and I was flattered to be selected captain. We had a sort of Dream Team that year with Nicklaus, Gene Littler, Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd, Billy Casper—I think it was the strongest team the U.S. ever fielded. Nicklaus was at the top of his game then, too. That’s why it was so surprising when Brian Barnes beat him in the morning singles. When we had the team meeting at lunchtime, the players urged me to give Jack another shot at Barnes. I did and Barnes beat him again in the afternoon. Jack took a lot of good-natured razzing about that afterward, even though we won the Ryder Cup rather easily.

Q: Are you happy with the current playing format of the Ryder Cup or would you like to see it emulate the Presidents Cup and enable every player to play in every round of matches?
Ap: I don’t think I’d change a thing. The format works as well as it’s ever going to and I think the great competition proves that.

Q: How much time did you spend, both as a captain and as a player, fraternising with the opposition? In the case of your opposite number as captain, did you spend as much time together before the match as they seem to today? 
Ap: We spent a lot of time together and it was always very enjoyable. We competed against them a lot and were on friendly terms already. That’s what it’s all about. The Ryder Cup’s supposed to be about sporting competition. There are times when it gets pretty heated—and there’s nothing wrong with that—as long as the players and the fans remember to honor the spirit of the game. Me, I loved the Ryder Cup. It’s about playing for something more than money. It’s about playing for your country. That meant the world to me.

Q: Which was the most exciting Ryder Cup you’ve ever seen or participated in, and why?
Ap: There have been so many great ones but for sheer drama, it’ll be difficult to top the 1991 event at Kiawah Island when it came down to Bernhard Langer’s final putt with everything on the line —and he missed.

 Q: How do you assess the qualities of the two captains, Davis Love and Jose Maria Olazabal, and what do you think each will bring to their teams?
Ap: Well, they’re just two great guys and veterans who can be counted on to motivate their teams and get the best out of them.

Q: Medinah is one of America’s outstanding courses and the scene of two of Tiger Woods’ PGA Championship victories. Do you think he will have an advantage over his opponents playing on a course of which he undoubtedly has positive memories?
Ap: That should give him an advantage. Clearly, he’s very comfortable playing and winning there. He’s done it before and will rely on those positive recollections. On the other hand, his opponents will know of his success there and may be a little intimidated. I expect him to do well at Medinah.

Q: How would you assess Medinah as a Ryder Cup venue—the course, facilities and also the crowd?
Ap: It’s a great course, a great club and Chicago’s one of America’s great golf towns. They know how to run major events. The course is tough, but fair and I expect Chicago to really support the matches and the U.S. team.

Q: Why do you think a panel of vice-captains has become so important to both teams in the Ryder Cup? What would be your ideal number?
Ap: I wonder if it’s becoming excessive. I understand the captain needing an assistant, but all these vice-captains seem unnecessary.

Q: How important do you feel a caddie is at a Ryder Cup? In an ordinary tournament the relationship is essential, especially when pressure kicks in, but does the caddie have an equally important role to play in a team match-play context, or a diminished role?
Ap: The caddie certainly plays his part with reading putts and encouraging his player, but it is somewhat diminished in team play when a playing partner is there to share strategy.

Q: Sticking your neck out, which team do you fancy to win at Medinah and why?
Ap: It could be one of the most exciting ever. I’m expecting it to be very dramatic. I think the U.S. will win with the help of the home turf advantage, but the Euros have some players who are doing very well right now, too. I’ll tell you this much, I’ll be watching.

Q: Finally, London recently got done hosting an even more international event, the 2012 summer Olympics. Did you watch much?
Ap: I certainly did. I enjoyed a lot of the swimming competitions and was amazed at the agility of the gymnasts. I love the Olympics and look forward to 2016 when golf will be part of the program.

Q: Thank you, as always, Mr. Palmer for such lively and engaging conversation.
Ap: And thank you. It’s my pleasure.

Courtesy of Honor & Glory - Arnold Palmer's Guide to the Ryder Cup

For the sixth successive match, Kingdom publisher TMC USA is proud to present this special issue replete with a comprehensive package of articles, that includes forewords from Arnold Palmer, the Governor of Illinois and President Bill Clinton, interviews with Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal, an insider’s hole-by-hole description of the No.3 Course at Medinah, pen portraits and profiles of all the players taking part in the match, and a review of the 2010 match at Celtic Manor, south Wales. The magazine also has interviews with, and features on, Rory McCIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia - even the vice captains – all amongst a whole series of other fascinating historical and golf related articles and of course an in-depth interview with Arnold Palmer.

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)

“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)