Arnold Palmer. Cut from a Different Mold

Arnold Palmer’s public memorial service was held Tuesday, October 4th.

Of course it was public, because that was what the man was. He was everybody’s friend. He was just like all of us. In the world of professional golf which for the most part has always been underscored by privilege, private golf clubs and elitism by the nature of the sport, Arnold Palmer was cut from a different mold.

He may have been one of the greatest ever to play the game, and the singular reason why the sport became powerful on the television medium with huge purses for events, Palmer never lost track of where he came from. He was humble in the beginning, all through his marvelous career, and in the days and years afterwards.

As a 24-year old newcomer to broadcasting at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, I once had a wild, if not unlikely idea. Why not ask to do an interview with Palmer for my sports segment on the evening news.
I contacted his right-hand-man Doc Giffin and made the request. Within a day, Giffin said Arnold would be delighted and to journey up to Latrobe to interview Palmer in his office. Now, this was virtually at the height of his career, so I expected a quick few minutes with this busy man and off I would go.

But Palmer treated me as if I was the most important man he would meet and we proceeded to do a lengthy interview that would fill a five-part series on my broadcast.

He showed me around his office at Latrobe Country Club including his garage where he stored hundreds of putters of all sizes and shapes.

He gave me time, a valuable asset to a man of his stature and whirlwind schedule.

He was no different to this young reporter than he was to everyone who crossed his path.

I have always felt in my travels, that the people of Pittsburgh were the most genuinely kind, caring and friendly folks I have ever come across.

Arnold Palmer was the first, and my experience meeting him back in 1967 was the initial thought I had when this legendary human being passed away.

It seemed he just didn’t disappoint anyone.