Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Local Sports

Related Photos

  • Arnold Palmer Contributed photo by F. Brian Ferguson/The Register-Herald

    Arnold Palmer

Discussion

July 30, 2010

Palmer enjoys Greenbrier homecoming

By DAVE MORRISON for the Daily Telegraph

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Arnold Palmer has a lot of affection for The Greenbrier resort.

After all, it got his pro career started — literally started — at America’s Resort.

The King, who won seven majors, including four Master’s Championships, is legitimately regarded as being one of the Big Three (with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player) for popularizing the game of golf during the advent of TV in the 1950s.

Palmer was at The Greenbrier Thursday — enjoying an Arnold Palmer, the half ice tea, half lemonade drink that bears his name — to watch his grandson, Sam Saunders, play in the inaugural Greenbrier Classic.

It was a homecoming for the all-time great, who was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame in 1974.

“I got my start here,” Palmer said Thursday, sitting in one of the luxury boxes with his family, including wife Kit. “It was 1955, my freshman year on the tour, and I couldn’t earn any money for the first six months. I was in an apprentice program.

“But Sam Snead had a tournament here (the Sam Snead Festival) where I could win (money) and he called and invited me to play. That alone was a huge honor to be invited by Sam.

“I played in the pro-am and in the Calcutta (scramble), which we had in those days. I played very well, made a lot of money (about $10,000). And me and my partner Spencer Owen made some more money in the Calcutta. So really, that was my start, that gave me everything I needed to really get my career started.”

Obviously, a fond memory of the Old White.

But not so much for his grandson, who was 3-over for his round. He had it at 2-under before a double and triple ambushed his round. It was tough for Palmer to watch at times, only because he wanted so much to help his grandson.

“He’s struggling today,” Palmer said. “I did it for 50 years. The question is was it difficult to watch him play? Only because I want to go out there and help him so much. I think he’ll make it.”

For Sam, it was good to have his grandfather, who casts a rather large shadow, on hand.

“Not at all,” he said, when asked if it makes him nervous having his famous golfing grandfather at the event. “I appreciate the fact that he is here. I’m glad he is here. I just wish I had played a little better.”

During the morning, Palmer had a chance to catch up with another legend, Bill Campbell, who lives in the area.

“Bill and I have been friends for most of my life,” Palmer said. “He is truly one of the greats of the game. He is a great person and has done great things for the game, particularly for amateur golf, the PGA and R&A (Royal and Ancient). It was nice to sit down with Bill and reminisce a little bit.”

He has a lot of respect for The Greenbrier resort’s owner Jim Justice, who has brought the PGA TOUR to White Sulphur Springs.

“Jim Justice is a wonderful person,” Palmer said. “What he has done is brought us back to the days when I started. People like Jim are what make this game so special, with his personal efforts, his financial efforts and his charitable efforts. He is indeed a true gentleman.”

Although Palmer walked a few holes with his grandson, he also rode in a cart.

Did being back on Old White make King want to pick up a club?

“Oh, it always does,” he said, laughing. “But these says, at my age (80) when I hit driver, I can hear my ball land. And that is not good.”

— E-mail: demorrison@

register-herald.com

Text Only
Local Sports