Incagolf photo by Roy Love
Why is Arnold Palmer so popular
Why do they call him the King?
Here’s one reason why:
By Roy Love
IncaGOLF
While walking along the driving range, I was watching players like Bruce Devlin, Miller Barber, Mike Hill and Charlie Sifford as they were hitting ball after ball. They continued practicing even though they had finished play for the day.
As I looked down the range, I noticed a crowd had collected at the other end.
Walking down to investigate, I found Arnold Palmer working on his game. He and Tom Wargo were kibitzing with each other about a friendly bet on tomorrow’s game. Arnold was not only interacting with Wargo, but with the crowd as well. They loved it. It turned out to be a great photo opportunity.
I couldn’t resist. I walked out on the range and said, “Arnold I have to ask you something.” He said “What’s that?” I said “Do you think we look alike? He retorted, “I sure don’t have one of those.” he said, referring to my mustache. I said it’s not from the front, it’s the way we look from the back. “Why would you ask that?” he questioned. “Well I was out at the Golf Channel last week and one of your people tapped me on the shoulder and said,”Mr. Palmer I didn’t know you were supposed to be here:” when I turned around he immediately knew that I was not Mr. Palmer. It seems that we do in fact look alike from the rear. He said “I don’t know what I look like from the rear. “ I said “I also don’t know how I look from the rear, but it seems that we do resemble each other a lot.”
Realizing that I had taken more of his time than I should, I decided it was time to leave. As I was walking away, Arnold said,
” Hey wait a minute, You’ve been taking pictures of golfers all day. How about someone taking your picture for a change. Come on overand stand here.“ 
Photo by Howdy Giles
I tried to set my camera so that one of the audience could take the picture, when a voice from a golf cart parked nearby said, “Don’t worry. I’ll take it.” It was Arnold’s close friend Howdy Giles.
After the picture was taken Arnold said “Go over and see Howdy. He’ll send you the picture.
Howdy not only sent me the picture but copies of several others. He had been taking pictures all the time I was out on the tee.
Photo by Howdy Giles
I walked away having the rare opportunity of standing beside Arnold looking at the camera from the other side.
Its gestures like this that are just one of the many reasons why they call Arnold Palmer “THE KING.”
Thanks, Arnie
Howdy Giles was recently recognized by Johnny Miller and Arnold during the TV broadcast of the tournament at Bay Hill
