 A picture tells a thousand words. I sat down with Arnold Palmer last year before the U.S. Open and I showed him some photos from the incredible journey that has been his life.
RT: “Hello Mr. Trevino”
AP: “Hello George” (he says with a hardy laugh)
RT: “It’s 1962 at Oakmont, a kid named ‘Fat Jack’ has come to town. We are in Arnie’s back yard and ‘Arnie’s Army’ is gathered. It’s your tournament to win.” (I show him the picture of he and Jack on the final hole)
AP: “The last hole is what it’s all about. We had tied and then I lost 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.
 RT: “What were your feelings while you walked up the 18th Fairway at the ‘94 Open here in Pittsburgh?” (I show him that image)
AP: “Well this was a sad moment, because I knew that all the good things at Oakmont and in Pittsburgh and in my life time were at its end and I won’t be competing in the Open anymore. And do the things that I enjoyed. I was sad.
 RT: “Ok after 40 years this photo came out of the attic. What’s going on here?” (I show him the picture of him giving Jack $50 bucks at the Houston Open)
AP: (With a chuckle and smile he says), “Oh this is Jack paying me.”
RT: “That’s not what Jack says”, I said with a chuckle.
AP: (With a deep laugh and wide smile he says), “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.
 RT: “I’m curious about this picture.” (Picture of him and Jackie Gleason)
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. That’s what this 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.
RT: “Was he a good golfer?”
AP: “He was a fair golfer. He played better than a lot of people thought he would.”
RT: “A lot of people said that about you too Arnie.” (He laughs deeply and smiles)
RT: “Why do you think you dominated and won 4 Masters at Augusta?”
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. 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 4 times.
RT: “Well that’s four more times than I have won it”, I say with a smile.
AP: (With a chuckle he says), “Well you will have to play the winter circuit.”
RT: “How about we start at your new course in Costa Rica I played it last summer”.
AP: “Oh you did? Thank you. That’s great.”
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?”
RT: “You fell out of it as a kid?”, I joked.
AP: (He laughs), “No, but 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.”
Thanks for never leaving, Arnie. |
