Witnessing Greatness at the Masters
The following was originally written for the Toccoa Record in 2017 upon the occasion of the first Masters after the death of Arnold Palmer. I offer it now, with some slight edits, as another Masters begins. The 87 th edition of the Masters Golf Tournament begins today in Augusta. One cannot think of the Masters without thinking of the great Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer’s legend goes hand in hand with the hallowed cathedral of golf on Washington Road in Augusta. Starting in 1954, Arnold Palmer played in fifty consecutive Masters Tournaments. He won on four occasions. He played his last round as competitor at the Masters in 2004 but he moved into the role of hitting the ceremonial first tee shot for a number of years, thereafter. Palmer was loved by legions of fans who followed him faithfully, referring to themselves as “Arnie’s Army.” He was amazingly popular and moved golf into the mainstream of our sporting consciousness. Arnie’s Army was never more prevalent