OAKMONT, PA. The return of the national championship of American golf to storied Oakmont is notable as the club hosts its record 10th championship.
But the scene is missing one crucial ingredient — the presence of Arnold Palmer.
In 2016 when Oakmont last held the US Open, Palmer could not attend because of poor health. Sadly, he would die just a few months later in late September at age 87 on the eve of that year’s Ryder Cup matches at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
During my coverage of the 2016 event I was invited with limited number of media to meet with “The King” at Latrobe CC in Latrobe.
I had met with him several times in the past and the excitment in meeting with Arnie was the equivalent in meeting the Pope at the Vatican. Palmer was situated in the grill room and was in his usual seat positioned to see all those entering the room.
Arnie greeted all of us but his usual vibrant eyes were somewhat glazed over.
Palmer personally thanked each of us for coming to see him. The reality is that the thanks were really in reverse for us to see the man who elevated golf from the shadows of attention to one that commanded global impact.
Being at Latrobe CC was always a treat – a walk back in history. The sheer number of artifacts and memorabilia Arnie had collected over his impactful career was simply amazing. The array of different golf clubs and the photos of the number of dignitaries was a window back in time.
The Palmer / Oakmont connection reached epic levels when the 1962 US Open was played there.
As a western Pennsylvania native Palmer was the main focus. The legion of “Arnie’s Army” were enthusiastic and happy to assist in rooting him home for the title.
Unfortunately, a young rookie named Jack Nicklaus was just starting his professional career and the fanfare tied to the former heralded amateur was front and center when paired with Palmer in the first two rounds.
Palmer had taken pro golf by storm – and coming into Oakmont that year he had just won his third green jacket at the Masters. Arnie played well from tee-to-green but a balky putter was his undoing causing him to three-putt the treacherous greens ten times. Even with a non-responsive putter Arnie came to the 72nd hole and had a 12-foot putt for the title. The putt missed and the two faced each other in an 18-hole playoff the next day.
Nicklaus had been touted by many as a future force in pro golf. However, Jack accelerated the timeline and dethroned The King by a score of 71-74. The main difference between the two came with the Golden Bear only three-putting one green in 90 holes at Oakmont.
But that loss did not diminish the growing reach and stature of The King.
Galleries were quick to give him affection even when his golf game diminished.
This year’s US Open has rightly paid attention to Arnie. There have been various message boards saluting his contribution to golf.
Palmer never lost his human touch and his roots to the area he called home.
When the USGA extended him one final exemption into the championship in 1994 the number of people who came to see his final send-off was enormous.
Arnie walked up the final hole and the swelling of emotions – both his and the assembled gathering were noticeable.
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The Palmer Profile• Winner of seven major championships: Masters – 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964 • 62 wins PGA Tour / 5th all-time • 10 wins PGA Tour Champions • World Golf Hall of Fame (1974) • Bob Jones Award (1971) • USA Ryder Cup team (7 times participant) – playing Captain (1963) and non-playing Captain (1975). |
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Palmer then met with the media and the emotions overwhelmed him as he said good-bye. Those in the room – myself included — all stood and applauded as he left the room.
Years later Palmer admitted he wanted so much to claim the home game US Open in 1962 at Oakmont.
Arnie’s passion for the game and his authentic personality remains unrivaled.
Yes, The King is gone physically- but his spirit lives on this week at Oakmont.
