The entire world of golf comes together this weekend to mourn and celebrate the life of Arnold Palmer, one of the game’s all-time greatest players who died this past November. Bay Hill, the site of
this weeks event, had been the winter home Arnold and the site of his PGA Tour to
urnament since 1979. This is the first year without the honorable host who created the game of golf we know today. But there is still a tournament to be played, and it’s certain to be a special week in regard to both golf and the golf community.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational started out as the Florida Citrus Open at another club in the Orlando area before Arnold brought the tournament to his home course in 1979. In its short 38 year history, the Arnold Palmer Invitational has seen many notable players in the winners circle including Tom Kite, Payne Stewart, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Phil Michelson, and Tiger Woods. Woods has won the tournament a record-shattering eight times, many including dramatic finishes that has defined Tiger’s career. Jason Day, the current number two player in the world won here last year, receiving Mr. Palmer’s last winner’s handshake on the 18th green.
This year, the Bay Hill Golf Course is in the best shape it has ever been. The greens are rolling at a championship level and the rest of the course is healthy and lush. As far as the weight of the field is concerned, the Jason Day and Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, and many other top players are playing this week. The only reason other big names like Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, and Adam Scott are not here this week is due to scheduling issues, with each of them playing the next three weeks on tour going into the Masters. If there s anything the PGA Tour needs to improve, it’s their ability to schedule.
Either way, this week is going to be super special. No one has done the amount of great for the game of golf that Arnold Palmer has done, and no one is ever going to forget it. No one could ever forget a golfer and personality so well liked. Hopefully this Sunday, a worthy champion will be crowned and Arnie will be watching down from above.
One thought on “Arnold Palmer Invitational, Orlando, FL ( March 15-19, 2017)”
Patrick, although I personally don’t have much experience with golf beyond a summer of childhood attempts, I enjoyed your post. Regardless of the sport, it is always so remarkable to think about the humanistic aspect of games, and the far-reaching effects of athletics. In this post, you were able to synthesize the tournament itself with the influence of popular figures such as Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. I could imagine the well-kept greens, and the quiet before the players tee off. I could also see the crowd’s response to some of the big name players. It is crazy to note just how lasting of an impression a few players can have over a centuries-old sport, not only in the way they play, but in the manner they carry themselves. Although I will likely not be tuning in to view the Invitational, I hope it is all you (and Mr. Palmer) hoped for.
Kate Sweeney