Thanks for your article about Arnold Palmer's exhibition at Valleybrook...it brought back lots of fond memories for me. I have a funny, personal anecdote to share with you about that day on Aug. 11.
I was a 16-year-old golfer at the time, and was a member of the Valleybrook Golf Club. I was entering my junior year at Chattanooga City High School, and was a member of the TSSAA State Championship golf team that year, along with Charlie Taylor, Mickey Mabry, Roddy Mitts, Tuffy Tepley and Tommy Stratton. That was the year that the individual champion was Larry White with Charlie Taylor being the runner up.
I was asked to be the fore-caddie for Arnold Palmer that day. I was, of course, thrilled to be asked to be a part of this event. Mr. Palmer was the Masters champ that year, having won by six strokes over Jack Nicklaus and Dave Marr. I was asked to join Mr. Palmer in the men's locker room for a chat before the round to discuss fore-caddie logistics.
I walked into the locker room, carrying my fore-caddie flag, and there he was, sitting on a bench, in front of a locker, in his boxer shorts, having a cigarette. We shook hands and he introduced himself (like I didn't know who he was). He started off by asking me questions about the course, what I liked about it and my interest in the game. I told him how much I appreciated his being there, and he said it was his pleasure and that he appreciated our sharing our time and our golf course with him. I'll never forget how special his comments made me feel.
And I'll wager that I was the only person in town to greet him in his underwear.
Scott Pogue