THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open for golf and more. So now it’s Sauce Madness that’s heating up in McWethy’s Sports Bar. But over in the dome shell is the new bar- so get sauced up on the award winning wings. Outdoor golf season is coming soon, so get with Toptracer and hit the ball. Call the dome and book a bay at (630)-739-7600 or visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com. #Lessons #Clubfittings #Wings THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road is open, both indoors in the simulators and outdoors on all 27 holes. There are some good weather days this week and chandlers Chophouse is open. SchaumburgGolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter (X) @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn/Facebook.
Welcome to Bay Hill-home of this weeks Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando. Photo by Larry Spalla.
ARNIE…
That one word stands by itself, and this week the focus should be as much on the man as it is on the tournament that carries his name.
Because while there are some who think golf isn’t in the best of places right now, their are others who know it would be in a better place if Arnold Palmer was still here to have say on things.
Arnold Palmer’s event this week at his beloved Bay Hill in Orlando always held a special meaning. Because even if he wasn’t playing, the Arnold Palmer pre-tournament presser was a can’t miss event.
The Arnold Palmer Statue at Bay Hill.
Media people loved it, it didn’t matter what hot shot PGA Tour player was talking that day. Because all one had to do was listen to Arnie, and then go write Arnie. Before having lunch and enjoying-yes you guessed it- an Arnold Palmer as your beverage.
Sadly, just before the 2016 Ryder Cup, Palmer passed away on the night before a scheduled surgery. I will never forget his Ryder Cup bag on the first tee that week at Hazeltine. The USA won that week of course, behind the stellar play of yes-Patrick Reed. Ryan Moore who won the 2016 John Deere Classic-captured the winning point for Team USA.
The umbrella sign among others is up at Bay Hill. Photo by Larry Spalla.
What is funny is how some of today’s younger generation doesn’t know Arnold Palmer the golfer. But they do enjoy an Arnold Palmer on a hot day at their favorite watering hole.
I ordered an Arnold Palmer one day, and the bartender a young gal about 21 I will say, asked me, do you know who this guy Arnold Palmer was.
Me: Well you came to the right place. I have some history and a few stories for you. I won’t ever forget being the only on course reporter working for the new WSCR-AM 820 and going live with George Ofman every 30 minutes with an update. As Palmer and Michael Jordan played in a pro-am together in front of 18,000 people at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora.
During the press conferences afterwards, Rick Telander of the Chicago-Sun-Times asked Jordan if he thought he could play professional golf once his NBA career was over. Jordan responded that he could. Palmer sitting between both myself and broadcast partner Jerry Kuc, nudged both of us and shook his head-no, on a Jordan pro golf career. Something that Palmer figured out, long before MJ did.
If Arnie was still alive today, you have to wonder what role in the grand scheme of things Palmer would be playing.
Because it would have been really special to see Palmer having summoned PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, and LIV CEO Greg Norman to a room at Bay Hill for a pow-wow, when the LIV Golf-PGA Tour fight started.
The SHACK in Glenview now has 7 simulators and a new putting green. So stop in and get your game ready for the summer season that is quickly approaching. 1717 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. (847)-904-2905.
Palmer might have said, boys the door is locked and we aren’t going anywhere until this thing gets settled. Plenty of dollars in legal fees might have been saved. Norman who had the API stolen from him one year by Robert Gamez, who holed an eagle from the fairway to beat Norman by one shot, might have settled quickly so he didn’t have to look out on the 18th green and recall such memories.
Palmer lifted golf in many ways, becoming a pitchman for several products. Palmers tractor in Latrobe PA., was subject of plenty of questions from people who would meet Palmer for years after the commercials for Valvoline Oil stopping running. Today with NBC’s logo all over The Golf Channel, people forget that it was Palmer who helped launch the network, and without his input The Golf Channel might not exist.
Palmer pitched this weeks API sponsor Mastercard, and was a Callaway Golf guy as well. So when you watch how Callaway Golf has developed in recent years, one wonders how much better the company could be, if they still had Arnie around to pick his brain now and then. I’m sure Callaway Golf CEO Chip Brewer might have gotten a few calls from “The King” himself. With Palmer adding some input on todays Callaway golf products.
Palmer had his own golf course design company for years. But since Palmer’s passing, many of the talented architects who worked on the team have gone into business for themselves. So hopefully they have brought a little bit of what they have learned from Palmer as they set out to design their own projects, or fix up one of Arnie’s former golf designs.
Arnold Palmer last spoke in Illinois, at the Arnold Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in 2015. The tournament was held again at RHF in 2021.
Palmer’s last visit to Illinois came in 2015, for the Arnold Palmer Cup.
He spoke outside at Rich Harvest Farms, but his remarks were short. Palmer was still feeling the effects from a bad fall he had taken a few month’s before.
Rich Harvest Farms was also the location of the last Arnold Palmer Cup he attended in person. But the tournament still continues, what was formerly an event for boys. Now has the girls as part of the field as well.
THIS WEEK as the Arnold Palmer Invitational tee’s off, enjoy the golf, maybe an Arnold Palmer or two. Hopefully NBC and TGC will let us relive some of The Kings best moments, and see some of the great work the Arnold Palmer’s Children’s Hospital is doing these days, for all those kids that need the help. RS