A Masters start fit for a King at Augusta National
Arnold Palmer said he put off assuming the role of ceremonial starter at the Masters until the time was right. His timing was perfect Thursday morning, as the King smashed a drive down the first fairway at Augusta National Golf Club to begin play at the 71st Masters.
By Dave Shedloski, PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- "It sure is pretty, isn't it?"
Peering down the fairway of Augusta National Golf Club early Thursday morning like he had done 50 times in the past, Arnold Palmer couldn't help but think out loud and share his feelings for what is the most cherished golfing venue in his life.
Palmer, 77, and three years removed from his final appearance as a contestant, returned to the first tee at Augusta National, only this time as the honorary starter. A Callaway Fusion FT-5 driver in his hands and a wide smile on his tan face, golf's recognized King got the 71st Masters Tournament off to a rousing and respectful start.
A four-time winner, Palmer resumed the tradition that had been suspended since the late Sam Snead last performed the duties of honorary starter in 2002. Clad in a sky-blue sweater, charcoal slacks and black and white saddle shoes, Palmer belted one of his customary low draws about 200 yards -- with a state-of-the-art square driver -- into a chilly breeze to the delight of the nearly 2,000 patrons surrounding the tee area.
Accompanied by his wife, Kit, and caddie, David Chatman, Palmer arrived on the emerald, manicured teeing ground about 7:43 a.m. He had just completed hitting about 20 balls on the range to warm up for his new duties.
"He hit three wedges and then went straight for the driver," said Chatman, 46, of Palm Springs, Calif., who is a friend and business associate of Palmer's. "He hit the ball fantastic on the practice range."
No wonder Palmer shouted, after teeing up his ball, "Maybe I'll just keep going, Mr. Chairman." The remark drew enthusiastic applause.
William Payne, the new club chairman, introduced Palmer, saying, "Now on the tee, where he belongs ? Mr. Arnold Palmer."
The anticipation for this moment had been building since last month when Palmer said at his own Bay Hill Club in Orlando prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational that he was thinking hard about taking on the honorary starter role. That anticipation was ever more palpable Thursday morning. There was a considerable buzz created at 7:28 a.m. when Palmer's name was placed on the standard next to the tee.
Even Palmer admitted he felt it -- though much earlier. He was up at 5 a.m., close to his normal rising hour when he usually gets up to walk his dog. "There was some excitement in the air," he admitted.
His thought on the tee was that he didn't want to "top the shot." He made sure that Chatman gave him the "right" driver, the one he had hit better on the range. Palmer, like defending champion Phil Mickelson, was armed with two drivers -- and 15 clubs in all, not an uncommon number for the King, who has been known to have more than 20 in his bag for casual rounds at Bay Hill.
Chatman, who asked Palmer on Wednesday if he could accompany him as caddie, admitted that he was nervous for his friend. "You bet I was. This place means so much to him," said Chatman, who has partnered with Palmer on the Arnold Palmer restaurant in Palm Springs and the wine label that bears Palmer's name. "There is so much special meaning for him, and I just wanted him to hit a good one."
"I hit it pretty good," Palmer said. "That little draw I hit off the first tee kept me out of that sand trap up on the right side."
That drew a laugh, but Palmer fought his emotions throughout a brief press conference after the deed. "The emotion and feeling about being here and doing this, I waited to do this and think about it for a couple of years, and I felt like this was the appropriate time," he said. "I didn't want to get up and die before I did it; getting to my age at some point, you've got to think about that.
"But, certainly, there's a lot of emotion about Augusta. In the last, I guess, 24 hours, a lot of (special) things came to my mind," he said, choking up a bit. "I've been reminiscing and thinking about how much Augusta has meant in my life, right up to today."