Raised in CT I knew very little about Wake Forest except my Dad used to tell me that is the school the Great Arnold Palmer attended . Well during my Wake years I had the opportunity to meet Arnie (that is what he told me to call him) when I was bar-tending a private dinner event at the school and he spent five minutes with us talking about our classes and upcoming graduation – – his graciousness and desire to spend a few minutes with us while so many people wanted to chat with him is one of the many memories I will always cherish of my time at Wake Forest.
James H. Logan
It was August, 1959, I believe, I was 13 years old when Arnold Palmer came to play an exhibition match and give a clinic at the course my father belonged to, the Greenville (PA) Country Club., in Northwestern Pennsylvania He had already won his first Master’s (in 1958), was already a “rock star”, and the little town turned out to see him, the atmosphere was electric. I remember the excitement when he started to hit his practice balls. I have never seen anyone crunch a nine-iron so hard, and when he finally took out his driver and drove a line drive straight and true, within 35-40 yards of the first green, a par four, the crowd was really buzzing. My dad was a low-handicap golfer, and played in the match, Arnold tied the course record of 64, and my dad had a 73. Arnold came back the next year, to even bigger crowds, and shot a 68 (my dad had a 70, sinking a long putt on the last hole). Arnie seemed as excited for my dad as the crowd was. Arnie was a true gentleman, and shook my hand along with hundreds of others, always the gracious and gregarious guy. When it came time for me to select a college, I naturally thought of only one school, Wake Forest, without even having visited it. If it was good enough for Arnold Palmer, it was good enough for me. My parents agreed. One of my best decisions ever. Jim Logan, WFU grad., Class of 1967.
Sue Stephens
My Dad was a fan of Arnold Palmer and he never missed an opportunity to watch him play. Growing up in in the Dallas Ft Worth area, he played golf near us many times. A great man on and off the course, what a great example for the young men and women to emulate.
Rob Mousaw
I will never forget the press conference when Arnold announced his retirement. .every time I watch it it brings tears to my eyes and chills throughout. .Arnold was an icon of class..he will be forever in our hearts..we will miss him..
Rob Mousaw syracuse NY
Anthony P. Cavallo
Thank you Arnie Palmer for your inspiration, your example, and your legacy. Thank you for your Golf, pro purses, IMG, The Golf Channel, half & half, my autographed photo, walking down the fairway with you, and the times you spent with my parents. I meant to write you a note when you might still read this. But I realize now, it means more that you cannot, and others can, as some truths are proven in ones absence. And so you are truly missed.
Jane Edmunds Novak
I would think that Wake Forest would have their flags flying at half staff because Wake Forest has lost a great and honored Alumni who represented Pro Humanitate his entire life and who was so very proud of his association with Wake Forest..I was one of the thousands of “Arnie’s Armies”..eager for just a glance at the King, to see his beautiful smile.. Godspeed Arnie!
Johnida Huggins Evans
A great moment for my late husband Col Jan P. Huggins WF ,’63, was getting to play golf with Arnold Palmer in Japan when he visited Tama Golf resort in 1984. It was a big day for Air Force golfers!
Lori Kissinger
When our son was getting ready to turn 13, I decided to try and do something special for his birthday. Due to the fact that he played golf, I reached out to Arnold Palmer for an autograph. I never imagined that he would actually respond. However, he did respond and made a young man’s 13th birthday very memorable. All of this took place long before we knew our son would end up at Wake Forest or that Arnold Palmer had attended Wake Forest. His kindness touched our hearts and our lives and we will never forget what he did for a 13 year old boy.
Cynthia Ann Ebert Rayburn WFU Class of 2013
I was a young girl when I first met Arnie and his father on the steps of the golf shop at Latrobe Country Club. My dad was an avid golfer all of his life and I often went with him when he played in Pro-Am tournaments along the east coast. I was fortunate to meet Arnie several other times over the years while working Senior golf tournaments in the Philly area with my dad. My dad loved and respected Arnie and so did I, which is how I became one of Arnie’s Army. I never would have dreamed that one day, decades later in 2013, after receiving my graduate degree from Wake Forest, I would get to watch Arnie ride with the Deacon on the Harley to Open the Gate for our football team. I will never forget all the wonderful times I had with my dad and his favorite golfer Arnold Palmer. You will never be forgotten by one of your “Army”. You lived the Wake motto of Pro Humanitate every day of your life and your legacy will live on in the heart of Demon Deacons forever. Rest in Peace Arnie and play a round of 18 with my dad in heaven.
Sarah Shoaf ’76, ’77 PA
My father was a contemporary of Mr. Palmer, but Dad went to NC State and became an engineer. Dad was a JayCee back in the late 50s/early 60s when Tanglewood was used as a PGA venue back when cigarette manufacturers could sponsor tournaments. My father LOVED watching Arnie, and taught us all to cheer for The King anytime he played. My father’s fondest wish was to play a round with Arnie. Several times I bid on silent auction items over the years that were playing with Arnie or signed momentos, but never managed to bid enough to get my Dad that round with Mr. Palmer. I lost my father earlier this year, and the first thing I could think of when I heard Arnie had passed was that now my Dad and Arnie could finally play that round together. I went over to campus tonight and spent awhile rocking on the porch, just talking with the wonderful statue, and making sure Arnie knew to find my Dad up in heaven and have that round. I’d met Mr. Palmer several times at various Deacon Club outings, and he was always the most gracious and attentive celebrity, even when he was obviously tired and not “up” for the occasion. Whenever his beloved Deacons were involved, Arnie was fully there. I would only wish every WFU graduate would be as industrious, gentle, gracious, accommodating, and a master of giving back to their alma mater like Arnold Palmer. He certainly taught me a lot about golf, and about being the best human being I could be. I hope to give back to WFU for as long as I can, just like Arnold Palmer. We will all miss Arnie — certainly The King!!
Raised in CT I knew very little about Wake Forest except my Dad used to tell me that is the school the Great Arnold Palmer attended . Well during my Wake years I had the opportunity to meet Arnie (that is what he told me to call him) when I was bar-tending a private dinner event at the school and he spent five minutes with us talking about our classes and upcoming graduation – – his graciousness and desire to spend a few minutes with us while so many people wanted to chat with him is one of the many memories I will always cherish of my time at Wake Forest.
It was August, 1959, I believe, I was 13 years old when Arnold Palmer came to play an exhibition match and give a clinic at the course my father belonged to, the Greenville (PA) Country Club., in Northwestern Pennsylvania He had already won his first Master’s (in 1958), was already a “rock star”, and the little town turned out to see him, the atmosphere was electric. I remember the excitement when he started to hit his practice balls. I have never seen anyone crunch a nine-iron so hard, and when he finally took out his driver and drove a line drive straight and true, within 35-40 yards of the first green, a par four, the crowd was really buzzing. My dad was a low-handicap golfer, and played in the match, Arnold tied the course record of 64, and my dad had a 73. Arnold came back the next year, to even bigger crowds, and shot a 68 (my dad had a 70, sinking a long putt on the last hole). Arnie seemed as excited for my dad as the crowd was. Arnie was a true gentleman, and shook my hand along with hundreds of others, always the gracious and gregarious guy. When it came time for me to select a college, I naturally thought of only one school, Wake Forest, without even having visited it. If it was good enough for Arnold Palmer, it was good enough for me. My parents agreed. One of my best decisions ever. Jim Logan, WFU grad., Class of 1967.
My Dad was a fan of Arnold Palmer and he never missed an opportunity to watch him play. Growing up in in the Dallas Ft Worth area, he played golf near us many times. A great man on and off the course, what a great example for the young men and women to emulate.
I will never forget the press conference when Arnold announced his retirement. .every time I watch it it brings tears to my eyes and chills throughout. .Arnold was an icon of class..he will be forever in our hearts..we will miss him..
Rob Mousaw syracuse NY
Thank you Arnie Palmer for your inspiration, your example, and your legacy. Thank you for your Golf, pro purses, IMG, The Golf Channel, half & half, my autographed photo, walking down the fairway with you, and the times you spent with my parents. I meant to write you a note when you might still read this. But I realize now, it means more that you cannot, and others can, as some truths are proven in ones absence. And so you are truly missed.
I would think that Wake Forest would have their flags flying at half staff because Wake Forest has lost a great and honored Alumni who represented Pro Humanitate his entire life and who was so very proud of his association with Wake Forest..I was one of the thousands of “Arnie’s Armies”..eager for just a glance at the King, to see his beautiful smile.. Godspeed Arnie!
A great moment for my late husband Col Jan P. Huggins WF ,’63, was getting to play golf with Arnold Palmer in Japan when he visited Tama Golf resort in 1984. It was a big day for Air Force golfers!
When our son was getting ready to turn 13, I decided to try and do something special for his birthday. Due to the fact that he played golf, I reached out to Arnold Palmer for an autograph. I never imagined that he would actually respond. However, he did respond and made a young man’s 13th birthday very memorable. All of this took place long before we knew our son would end up at Wake Forest or that Arnold Palmer had attended Wake Forest. His kindness touched our hearts and our lives and we will never forget what he did for a 13 year old boy.
I was a young girl when I first met Arnie and his father on the steps of the golf shop at Latrobe Country Club. My dad was an avid golfer all of his life and I often went with him when he played in Pro-Am tournaments along the east coast. I was fortunate to meet Arnie several other times over the years while working Senior golf tournaments in the Philly area with my dad. My dad loved and respected Arnie and so did I, which is how I became one of Arnie’s Army. I never would have dreamed that one day, decades later in 2013, after receiving my graduate degree from Wake Forest, I would get to watch Arnie ride with the Deacon on the Harley to Open the Gate for our football team. I will never forget all the wonderful times I had with my dad and his favorite golfer Arnold Palmer. You will never be forgotten by one of your “Army”. You lived the Wake motto of Pro Humanitate every day of your life and your legacy will live on in the heart of Demon Deacons forever. Rest in Peace Arnie and play a round of 18 with my dad in heaven.
My father was a contemporary of Mr. Palmer, but Dad went to NC State and became an engineer. Dad was a JayCee back in the late 50s/early 60s when Tanglewood was used as a PGA venue back when cigarette manufacturers could sponsor tournaments. My father LOVED watching Arnie, and taught us all to cheer for The King anytime he played. My father’s fondest wish was to play a round with Arnie. Several times I bid on silent auction items over the years that were playing with Arnie or signed momentos, but never managed to bid enough to get my Dad that round with Mr. Palmer. I lost my father earlier this year, and the first thing I could think of when I heard Arnie had passed was that now my Dad and Arnie could finally play that round together. I went over to campus tonight and spent awhile rocking on the porch, just talking with the wonderful statue, and making sure Arnie knew to find my Dad up in heaven and have that round. I’d met Mr. Palmer several times at various Deacon Club outings, and he was always the most gracious and attentive celebrity, even when he was obviously tired and not “up” for the occasion. Whenever his beloved Deacons were involved, Arnie was fully there. I would only wish every WFU graduate would be as industrious, gentle, gracious, accommodating, and a master of giving back to their alma mater like Arnold Palmer. He certainly taught me a lot about golf, and about being the best human being I could be. I hope to give back to WFU for as long as I can, just like Arnold Palmer. We will all miss Arnie — certainly The King!!