GOLFING IN PARADISE

By JOSE CALLEJA
General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

This week we look at the biography of golfing great Arnold Daniel Palmer,
Part 2.

Arnold Daniel Palmer

THE KING’S PURSUIT FOR GOLFING HISTORY

Arnold Palmer travelled to Scotland in 1960, after winning both the Masters and US Open in attempt to emulate the great Ben Hogan’s feat of 1953 of winning all three in a single year. The Australian golfer Kel Nagle had a different idea about the King winning all three in a single year. Kel won The Open by a single shot over Arnold. Palmers subsequent Open wins in the early 60s secured his popularity amongst British and European fans. More importantly, his wins finally convinced many American Professionals to make the trip to Britain and compete were the game originated.

MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
 “The King” at his best.
The Masters: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964
U.S. Open: 1960
The Open Championship: 1961, 1962

Palmer’s greatest years were between 1960 and 1963, he won 29 PGA Tour events which included five major tournaments. In 1960, he won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Sportsman of the Year” award. He built up a wide fan base, often referred to as “Arnie’s Army” and in 1967 he became the first man to reach one million dollars in career earnings on the PGA Tour. By the late 1960s Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player’s popularity had grown and the rivalry with the King was fierce and very competitive. But Arnold Palmer still managed to win a PGA Tour event every year from 1955 to 1971 inclusive and in 1971 he won 4 events.
Palmer won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average four times: 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1967. He played on six Ryder Cup teams: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1973. He was paired with his great rival Jack and formed a very strong pairing which assisted in many wins for the US Ryder Cup team. He was the last playing captain in 1963, and captained the team again in 1975.
Palmer was eligible for the Senior PGA Tour (The Champions Tour) from its first season in 1980. He won ten events on the tour, including five senior majors. He played a pivotal role in ensuring the continued success of the Champions Tour through major corporate support and sponsors. His early days of sponsorship certainly paved the way to assisting the Senior PGA Tour in its success.
Palmer won the first World Match Play Championship in England. This event which was originally organized by McCormack to showcase his players was one of the most significant in the history of sports marketing. So much so that even long after Arnold stopped wining tournaments he still remained one of the highest earners in golf due to his appeal to sponsors and the public.
Arnold Palmer’s final competitive Masters was in 2004 which marked his 50th consecutive appearance in that event. He missed the cut at the 2005 U.S. Senior Open by 21 shots and later announced that he would not enter any more senior majors. Since 2007, Palmer has served as the honorary starter for the Masters. He retired from tournament golf on October 13, 2006, when he withdrew from the Champions Tour after playing four holes in a tournament due to dissatisfaction with his own game. He played the remaining holes but did not keep score.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW AND TOUR UPDATES
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Coolmax Lycra knuckle inserts are positioned across the knuckles to provide a comfortable fit as the hand flexes.
3-Directional tab elastic closure ensures improved palm fit and comfort.
This glove is also for sale at the Natadola Bay Golf shop

PGA TOUR UPDATES
Last week
Kevin Streelman wins his first PGA TOUR victory at Innisbrook. This victory sends Streelman, who finished at 10-under 274, to the Masters next month for the second time in his career. This is what Kevin had to say after his win
“Just keep chasing your dreams, you never know what will happen.”
This week’s event
As we continue with the Arnold Palmer biography we also head to the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando Florida for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This PGA Tour event is presented by Master Card and play commences on the 21st through to the 24th of March. Players will play for a total prize purse of $6,200,000 with the winner receiving $1,080,000 and 500 FedExp Points.

LPGA TOUR
Last week
The 2012 Rolex Player of the Year Stacy Lewis continued her impressive streak of tournaments in 2013, fighting back from a three-stroke deficit down the stretch to capture a three-stroke victory at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup. The nine birdies in the final round and scoring an impressive 8 under for the day was the killer blow she handed to her rivals.
This week
This week’s event is the KIA Classic at the Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California. This LPGA Tour event will have 144 players competing for a $1.7 million purse and a $255,000 first place check.
Yani Tseng the Taiwanese golfing super star had a hot start to the 2013 season with two top-5 finishes in the first four events. This week she aims to capture her 16th career victory by defending her win of the 2012 KIA Classic.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:
Last Saturday’s competition results are as follows:
Event:  STROKE
Winners:
1st: Mr Grant Alchin (82 points) won on a count back
2nd:Mr Neil Stokes (82 points)

NEXT WEEK’S COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE
Wednesday 27th-Mixed competition-Stableford
Friday 29th- Bula Friday – Stroke
Saturday 30th- Open competition – Monthly medal-Stroke
Sunday 31st – 2 Ball Stableford Aggregate

Mr George Gregan

PLAYER REVIEW

This week’s between shots is Mr George Gregan
What clubs do you use? Mizuno irons & Titleist Woods

Where is your home club? Terry Hills Golf Club
Who is your favorite player? Tiger Woods
What course do you love to play? Terry Hills
What is your favorite hole? The 8th hole at Nirvana Golf Club Bali
What shot will you always remember?  Tiger Woods chip at the 16th US Masters 2005
Who are your dream playing partners? Tiger Woods, Charles Schwartzel, Tom Watson
This was what Mr. Gregan had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: Unbelievable holes and the par 3’s are all very challenging.