Up Close with PSR
The King Holds Court
Talking With Arnold Palmer
By Randy Tantlinger

Golf fans need not be told who Arnold Palmer is, least of all golf fans from western Pennsylvania. "The King" was one of the finest golfers of his generation, and became the game's most popular star and its most important trailblazer, as he was the first bonafide star of the sport's television age.

Palmer has long since passed the torch, but he is still the most revered figure on golf courses across the country. Which is why it will be a special few days when the U.S. Open returns to Oakmont this month. The 77-year old legend won seven majors, including the Open in 1960, but never at Oakmont. Despite that fact-or perhaps because of it-Palmer will be the center of attention when the United States Open hits Oakmont for a record eighth time this month. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Ratief Goosen are the Vegas favorites, but-with the exception of Woods-none will garner the attention Palmer is likely to receive, especially in the early days of the championship week.

PSR's Randy Tantlinger sat with Palmer last month in Palmer's hometown of Latrobe, as the King reminisced on his Hall of Fame career.

PSR: It's 1962 at Oakmont. We are in Arnie's back yard and Arnie's Army is gathered. It's your tournament to win, but a kid named Jack steals the show.

Palmer: The last hole is what it's all about. We had tied and then I lose the playoff. I'm unhappy that I did not win the Open at Oakmont, but I'm happy I was there. I think Oakmont is one of the great tests in golf."

PSR: What were you feelings while you walked up the 18th Fairway at the '94 Open here in Pittsburgh?

AP: Well it was a sad moment, because I knew that all the goods things at Oakmont, and in Pittsburgh, and in my life at the time were at its end, and I wouldn't be competing in the Open any more. Or do those things that I enjoyed. I was sad.

PSR: When you first started playing golf what attracted you to the game?

AP: Well my father set that straight when he told me it's just a game. Go have fun. Play it like a game and enjoy it.

I show him a picture of him giving Jack Nicklaus $50 at the Houston Open from nearly 40 years ago.

PSR: OK after 40 years, this photo came out of the attic. What's going on here?

AP: (with a chuckle and smile) Oh, this is Jack paying me.

PSR: (laughing) That's not what Jack says.

AP: (laughing harder and smiling wide) We had a lot of fun playing for a couple bucks here and there. We never gambled during the tournament, never. But we did during practice rounds and we had a lot of fun playing for a dollar or two.

PSR: I've seen a photo of Jackie Gleason with you on a golf course.

AP: I had some experience with Jackie Gleason over the years. We played golf together, we funned together. We filmed a TV special with him and that's what this particular picture is from.

We filmed half the show playing pool and then on the golf course. He was a lot of fun. He was great guy and I enjoyed him over the years.

PSR: Was he a good golfer?

AP: He was a fair golfer. He played better than a lot of people thought he would.

PSR: Tell me about Ben Hogan.

AP: Ben Hogan and I were never extremely friendly. At a distance we were friends, but he was his own man and I don't think he thought much about my golf game. Like my dad said, when someone thought you could not golf you just go show him or her that you can.

PSR: What aspect of your game do you think Hogan didn't like?

AP: He thought I was just a slaphappy kid just going out and playing golf and having fun. He took a much more serious approach to his game and thought I should too.

PSR: When you would relax and laugh and smile during a round do you think that took the pressure off?

AP: I have to say I enjoyed playing golf and I enjoyed the competition. But I also have to say there were times I had a little sweat going too. But I found if I smiled things went better for me.

I show Palmer a picture that I was told was from him at Oakmont in 1962. He disagrees.

AP: Do you mind if I change the setting? It's actually me at Augusta, and how I know is that this is my caddy. This is "Iron Man." He was my caddy at the Masters every time I won. And one of the things that is peculiar about that was that his caddy number is 13 and 13 was my lucky number. So that is Iron man and me at Augusta.

PSR: Why do you think you dominated at Augusta? You won four Masters.

AP: I loved that course. Plus I spent the early part of my career playing the winter circuit in LA and the south, and I lived and breathed with the thought that I would get to Augusta in the spring and play. And the course was always immaculate. And I looked forward to that through the winter for many years, and it was so much fun knowing that I was going to get there. And then the relief and exhilaration in my body allowed me to win the Masters as many times as I did and that's why I think I won four times.

RT: You could live anywhere you want in the world. Why do you choose to live in Latrobe?

AP: You see that tree right there? I used to hunt on this property. The house I was raised in was over there. My family was here. I could never leave here. I just love it especially on a day like this. The sun is shining. There's no smoke in the air, fresh air, fresh breeze. My dog can run and play and Arnie can run and play and do what he wants to do here. I could just never leave.