Rancho Park’s Arnold Palmer Tribute?
Posted in Golf News
A couple years ago, I moved about 20 miles west to the beach town of Santa Monica, CA. As a result, my home course went from the Rose Bowl parking lot to Rancho Park, former home of the L.A. Open. On the par-5 18th tee, there’s an interesting plaque to commemorate Arnold Palmer’s achievement at the 35th L.A. Open in 1961.
Here’s the engraving:
The first day of the 35th L.A. Open, Arnold Palmer, voted Golfer of the year, took a 12 on this hole.
As an inspiration to all Golfers The L.A. Jr. Chamber of Commerce dedicate this monument.
Palmer hit a fine drive. He sliced his next 2 shots into the driving range, then hooked two more onto Patricia Ave. Hit the green with his sixth shot, and two putted. Eight strokes plus four penalities add up to 12.
Here’s the detailed story according to Golf For Dummies:
Palmer needed a par 5 on the 18th for a 69 in the second round. After a good drive, instead of laying up with an iron for the tight second shot, he went for a birdie and pushed a 3-wood out-of-bounds onto the adjacent driving range. He paused briefly to regroup and then hit another 3-wood. This time, he hooked it onto Patricia Avenue. Stubborn if not downright foolhardy, Palmer hit the 3-wood yet again, and again hooked it out-of-bounds. On the fifth try, after four straight penalties, he finally put his 3-wood on the green and went on to make a 12. A long, sad story. Arnie’s description was more succinct. Asked by a reported how he managed to make a 12, he replied, “I missed my putt for an 11.”
The plaque and story are great comic reliefs to any golfer having a bad day on the golf course. But did anyone bother to check the grammar before it was engraved in stone!?
Credits: Grouchy Golf Blog
golf swing tips | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I really enjoyed the article and love the blog! I just hope I can get my golf blog up to this level of respect. Nicely done.
Golf Master | May 20, 2010 | Reply
This looks like a glorious course what makes it so hard.
golf magic | May 20, 2010 | Reply
This course sounds great i want to get there.
Roland | May 20, 2010 | Reply
i practice at rancho several times at night. somehow even though we played there several times, i never once managed to finish 18 holes. supposedly it s the busiest golfcourse in the us.
Myrtle Beach golf | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I love like ur blog.
Swing Trainer | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I really enjoyed the article. The golf industry is lucky to have a person so influential like Arnie.
Pro | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Sometimes you win sometimes you lose… ouch!
Discount Golf Clubs | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I have a buddy who shot a 16 on a par 4 this week….his comments, after omitting the cussing, weren't nearly as humorous as Arnie's.
Marietto | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Palmer is great!
But I can do better, I can play 12 without penalties!
download music | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Course management is one of the most important aspects of shooting lower scores. I'll bet Arnie still broke 90, even though he made a 12!
Ares Vista | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I love Arnie's comment, and I'm inspired by it. That the great can shoot a 12 is hard to believe. By the way, I broke 90 today! 89!!!
Tate | May 20, 2010 | Reply
What happened? You've been bloging for five years and I sent a comment and congratuations and then you stopped. Are you on vaction or did you realise something after 5 years!
Toni | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I never would have guessed too
CrimeCleaner | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Very funny story…I think you get a sense of Arnie's sense of humor with this. I agree that it is also inspirational that one of the best ever can shoot a 12 on any whole.
Dan | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Awesome story I never would have guessed that Arnold Palmer could shoot a 12.
Kevin K | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I love that story. Especially his comment about how he made 12.
Steve | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Maybe it's meant to act as inspiration for others. Even a bad golfer can probably beat a 12 on a par 5…
Andy Brown of GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com | May 20, 2010 | Reply
I wonder if Arnie actually made that comment: “I missed a putt for 11.” Such a comment has been attributed to so many people now that it is hard to believe where that phrase really originated or for that matter, which golfer was trying to drown his sorrow of a big number on a hole with such wit!
I guess this incident just proves that golf is so much about being able to manage yourself around a course and even the best in the business can be knocked back. With someone as flamboyant as Arnie, to throw a challenge like that and say there is no chance you are going to make the green in two, he will do all that it takes to prove you wrong. So while a golfer who has just taken up the game might be willing to take the medicine and move on, a champion golfer will be stubborn enough to prove a point.
I guess that is probably the kind of attitude required at the highest level to be able to be such a success and with their aggressive approach, such golfers succeed more often than not.
The idea is really nice of putting a cute little plaque out there for every golfer who stands on that tee and shanks, hooks, pulls, duffs or carries out some unfortunate act on the ball when he tries to wield the club. A gentle reminder, that even the best can falter!
Tees for Two | May 20, 2010 | Reply
Love this blog. My dad is a fan and sent me your Banden Dunes post.
I added you as a favorite blog of mine at http://www.blueteesredtees.blogspot.com.
It’s a blog my wife and I run to review courses that appeal to couples who love to golf together.