Dakota Dunes Country Club pays tribute to Arnold Palmer

On the tee was Arnold Palmer.

It’s been the week to relive just how Palmer thrived in the Ryder Cup – same as everywhere else.

That would seem crudely opportunistic, a distasteful attempt to use his death as a competitive advantage. “He always wanted his signature to look the same and to look professional because that’s just the type of person that he was”.

In the entrance of the Starfire Golf Club, legend Arnold Palmer smiles in a blue beret while sinking his winning putt in the 1961 British Open – his first of two.

Love and European captain Darren Clarke said they would alter their speeches at the opening ceremony Thursday.

“It was tough waking up this morning and starting over”, us captain Davis Love III said. Arnold Palmer had friends in Jacksonville, and homes in Orlando and Latrobe. “Mr. Palmer will be greatly missed, and his legacy will forever be celebrated at the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum”. After giving them some golf tips, Palmer went on to jokingly thank the House and Senate for being able to finally agree on something.

The PGA is flying flags at half-staff at Hazeltine this week. All credit to Love being out front on this, too. I’m like every other fan of his enormous influence on the game and his great generosity off the course.

“You are the one true King”. The word competition is based on the Latin word competere, which means to strive together.

The K Club has gone on to be the host venue for some of the world’s most dramatic golfing moments and Palmer’s wit and skill has challenged the brightest and best golfers in the world. He saw wins even in heartbreaking losses.

Even here in Monterey County, the late golfer left his mark on courses as well as with players and fans of the sport. “I didn’t know anybody that didn’t just love Arnold Palmer”. He blew a seven-shot lead on the back nine to lose a U.S. Open. “He certainly did. No one in U.S. Ryder Cup history has won more than his 22 matches, and he was a flawless 2-0 as a Ryder Cup captain”. Love is the determined captain and Mickelson the emotional heart and soul of the USA team, the wise Ryder Cup Yoda at 46. “It was about playing for something far grander and more personal than income and money lists”.

Rory McIlroy won the PGA Tour Championship in a playoff Sunday afternoon, and captured the season-long FedEx Cup as a result.

“He asked all about them”, Stuart said. It’s known as the greatest U.S. Open ever played.

One of Palmer’s biggest contributions locally came in 1999. He won that rejuvenating The Open.

Wickliffe resident Joe Carroscia, 77, remembers being 12 years old and “a few times” being among a group of caddies within Palmer’s group. After securing his second ICO title, his seventh win of 1960, he would win one more time before the season ended, completing a fabulous year for himself and for golf.

“Arnold is going to want us to put this behind us and go play”.

“I remember my dad saying that Palmer said to him, ‘I don’t know what they’re watching me for, they should be watching you, ‘ he was really impressed by my dad”, she said. Europe star Justin Rose, who won Olympic gold last month in Rio, said he hopes the event will hold dear to Palmer’s values this week. Arnold won many tournaments during his pro career, including 7 major wins. Those will be available to Americans and Europeans.