News that legendary US golfer Arnold Palmer had died aged 87 was met with sadness at St Andrews the Home of Golf.
Palmer, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players in the sport’s history, died at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was undergoing heart tests.
During a long career he won more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including seven majors.
Special tribute was paid at the Dunvegan Hotel where Arnold Palmer paid numerous visits and used to socialise with his late St Andrews-based caddie Tip Anderson.
A chalk board outside read: “Farewell Mr Palmer. We will all miss you. Fly high sir, Fly high” – a tribute to Palmer’s love of flying his plane.
Dunvegan proprietor Sheena Willoughby was “in tears” when she heard of his death.
She said: “He was a charming man. Very gracious. Just a lovely man to be around. Very friendly. He had all the right attributes really.
“He’s been in here half a dozen times. Tip Anderson his caddie for 30 years would always hang out here, so Arnie would come in. When Tip passed away Arnold couldn’t make the funeral but he sent flowers and a card. On the card it said ‘Good bye ‘ole friend’. We have the plaque up on Tip’s seat there from the card that Arnie sent.”
Down at the links, Canadian John Nash, 75, from London, Ontario, was at the Old Course with his sons Jay, Bryan, Jordan, David and Colin who have brought him to St Andrews on a special trip. A sixth son.Adam is due to arrive on Friday. John played the Old Course in 1980 and was delighted to be back. Yet the trip was tinged with sadness at Palmer’s passing.
He said: “Arnold Palmer was the legend of golf – particularly in North America. He really was the birth of television for golf.
Waiting to tee-off on the Old Course, Clare Bowe, of Gullane, East Lothian, said: “I was listening in bed about 6am and it came on that Arnie Palmer had sadly passed away in the night – something to with his heart. He was someone who was so iconic in the game of golf.”
Thomas Cullen, 51, from Kennoway, was on a day out at the Old Course with his mum Helen – and he said that will always be his abiding memory of Palmer – seeing his team win the Champions Challenge.
The Leven Thistle Golf Club member, who has been to watch Arnold Palmer’s Invitational Tournament in the USA several times, said: “That will be my abiding memory.
“Seeing Darren Clarke encourage him out of the buggy to play. He was bad on his legs. It was absolutely tremendous. He was a legend and will be sadly missed.”
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A said: “It is with great sadness that we have awoken to hear the news of Arnold Palmer’s passing. He was a true gentleman, one of the greatest ever to play the game and a truly iconic figure in sport.
“His contribution to The Open Championship was, and remains, immeasurable. He will be missed and forever remembered by all at The R&A and throughout the world of golf as a charismatic and global champion of our game.”
