OB Sports Golf & Leisure

l REMEMBRANCE OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE x FALL 2016 x obsports.com BY orrin vincent chairman/Founder, oB Sports T here are few who have the ability to receive universal recognition by the use of just one name. Arnold Palmer is one those. Whether you call him "Arnie" or "King," he answered to both with that glaring stare and closed- lips smile. The only other individual that I knew who answered to the name "King" was another one-name wonder: Elvis! For a regular guy like me from Kent, Washington, even contemplating meet- ing icons at that level would be beyond any possible dream. But, because of the great game of golf, I knew them both. I tried not to act like a little kid while in their presence, but I probably did – and will never forget either one. The first time I remember seeing Arnie was in 1960, when snippets of holes at Augusta National were shown on televi- sion. I remember him hitting his tee shot on No. 15 over a little hump on the fair- way's right side with a chance to reach the green in two. His boldness stared me right in the face and his walk was dis- tinctive, as was the hitch of his slacks. I wondered exactly who this fellow was and why was he so unique. Many years later, we know the an- swers to those questions. My relation- ships with him, in so many arenas, gave me the insight into a man who just loved golf almost more than life itself. While so many others had interests in other activities, Arnie was GOLF. We played together, built courses together, ate dinner together and did exhibitions together. My job was to make sure everything was perfect, giving him the opportunity to do what he did best: spend time with his fans. There will never be another like him. Having lots of friends who are good architects, good players and fun to be with, NO ONE even comes close to the presence he proj- ects and his desire to share with people. One night after golf at Edgewood in Lake Tahoe, I had a private area set aside for him to enjoy a drink and appetizers before returning to the hotel. A few min- utes later, he asked me where the rest- rooms were and I directed him. The club was hosting a 10-year reunion for a local high school that evening in the bar at- tended by about 200 graduates and spouses, and the restrooms were on the other side, requiring him to walk through the event. The result was very predictable: He was immediately recog- nized and stayed for over two hours, talking to guests and posing for pictures with anyone and everyone. That night, the Class of 1966 had the best reunion any class could have ever imagined. My Arnie stories go on and on and way beyond my allotted space. I tell them to anyone and all who will listen. But, he has inspired me in yet another way: Teacher. I listened to his record (a 33 1 ⁄3) as my first instruction and tried to copy his dynamic follow through, which never worked for me. But one thing that has worked is this: Treat everyone with respect and never forget your roots. For that Arnie, I thank you Mr. Palmer! "My job was to make sure everything was perfect, giving him the opportunity to do what he did best: spend time with his fans." – Orrin Vincent on Arnold Palmer, pictured with Bob Hope in 1984 TRIBUTE TO THE KING n THERE WILL NEVER BE ANYONE QUITE LIKE ARNOLD PALMER

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