Arnie’s Army
Arnold Palmer, a golfing world heavyweight, passed away this past week. A lot has been said about him but here are a few things you might not have heard in the major news stories.
He served three years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
He made hitching up your pants cool.
The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is ranked among “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.
JFK sent him film of his golf swing to critique. In reviewing Bill Clinton’s golf game he said, “He can hit a long way, he just doesn’t have a ZIP code.”
He designed the first golf course built in China.
He broke 100 for a round of golf when he was 7 but wasn’t allowed to swim in the club pool where his father was a lowly club pro. He later bought that golf course.
He met his first wife, Winnie, on a Tuesday and asked her to marry him four days later. They were married 45 years until her death in 1999. His would be father-in-law boycotted the wedding because he doubted Palmer could make enough to support a family.
It took him 13 years to become the first golfer to win $1 million in career earnings.
He was the last golfer to look debonair with a cigarette dangling from his lips. He smoked his last cigarette on Dec. 23, 1973.
To overcome his fear of flying he became a pilot. In 1976, he set a round-the-world speed record in a Learjet that still stands—57 hours, 25 minutes, 42 seconds.
Richard Nixon asked his advice on how to end the Vietnam War.
He was still a member of the Latrobe (Pa.) Elks club.
He often cried during the national anthem.
Arnold Palmer, a man for our times. Arnold Palmer, a hero for our times!
CHALK TALK
WOW! a tale of two cities! The Great Bend Black Panthers football team who came into the season with optimism, If certain things happened. They have happened. The Larned Indians, who came into this season also with optimism, expecting to be better than the experts thought. That hasn’t happened. Great Bend is 4-0 and Larned is 0-4. The Black Panthers travel to Wichita to tussle with West. Panthers should move to 5-0, 38-17. Larned is at home for Homecoming against Nickerson. Indians in a critical place in this season. Nickerson favored but it is about time for the Indians to deliver on some of that pre-season hope. Larned 27, Nickerson 22.
Two undefeated teams, Hoisington and Pratt tangle in Pratt with leadership of the Central Kansas League at stake. Resurgent Pratt has surprised. Hoisington? No surprise. We like the Cardinals 36-20.
Don’t you admire how K-State radio guy, Wyatt Thompson, can so easily crowd in “Bill Snyder Family Stadium” into his play-by-play? He rolls it out like it’s not a full mouthful. However, it is not the longest, most difficult stadium to call out in play-by-play. How would you like to say this twenty or thirty times a game without stumbling? “Frank Broyles Field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium” That’s the moniker for the stadium at the University of Arkansas. No wonder they scream “SOOOO PIGGGIE!”
Buddy Tabler is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and his views don’t necessarily reflect those of the paper. He can be reached at budtabler@gmail.com