The Legend that Was Arnold Palmer Will Never Die

A 'Legend' is created by that rare level of excellence -- intellectual, physical, artistic, political or sportive -- combined with the qualities of human grace and goodness that speak to every human being. A Legend is both born and made. Talent is grafted onto a depth of character and personality that sets a Legend apart from the rest of us, yet endears him or her to us in a bond that exceeds skills or interests. And when the impassable door of death closes, taking our Legend from us, we feel the loss physically, as well as emotionally, because a chunk of our finest values has been ripped from our common humanity and we are left to wonder if another Legend will ever appear among us. Arnold Palmer was and is a Legend. There were better golfers -- but not many. There were better businessmen -- but not many. But, there will never be a better King of Golf. Arnie, as he was known from the moment he stepped into the golf spotlight, was beloved as a golfer who 'connected' with tens of millions of people who never played the game or set foot on a golf course. His natural skill was magnified by his easy charm and warmth, which created Arnie's Army and set him apart wherever he went. When historians write the history of 20th century golf, it will not be about great individual golf shots or the astronomical prize money made possible by Arnie. It will be about his creation of the modern game of golf and his devotion to the fans who followed the game, hoping without hope for his equal to suddenly appear some Sunday afternoon. It didn't happen and it never will. We always knew that, deep inside. Arnold Palmer stands astride the game of golf as a colossus. We who met him and received that warm wink and smile, or who looked into his eyes, even filtered by a TV camera, and saw his love of people tied to his love of golf, know that on Sunday, September 25, 2016, we lost a Legend. And, as golf struggles to find some sense of sporting excitement or human warmth, as it searches for any golfer with sufficient talent and personality to carry the game forward into the 21st century, raising up first one and then another into the world spotlight that quickly wilts them, Arnie will be there, reminding young golfers to relax, take chances, believe in themselves, stop worrying about money or FedEx points, and above all, enjoy the game. The Legend that is Arnold Palmer was made of all that, and so much more. "The King is dead; long live the King." In the case of golf, it is one and the same person, and he didn't like to be called the King -- just call him Arnie.