By L'anse Bannon
The Arnold Palmer TurningPoint Invitational recentlyheld at the Country Club of
Detroit was just about as good as itgets for a fund raiser. Final tabula-tion, has the total take hoveringnear the six million dollar mark. Itwas the culmination of "A BigIdea".
The idea was unique, the cele-bration of Arnold Palmer's 50 yearanniversary of winning the U.S.Amateur at the club. The otherpart of the uniqueness was toinvite all the past U.S. AmateurChampions to join in the celebra-tion.
The idea was well received byall of the past champions. Thosewho attended included: Gary
Cowan '66 and '71, Robert B.Dickson '67, Bruce Fleisher '68,Steve Melnyk' 69, Lanny Wadkins'70, Marvin (Vinny) M. Giles '72,Fred Ridley '75. John Fought '77,Mark O'Meara '79, NathanielCrosby '81, Jay Sigel 82 and 83,Sam Randolph '85, Billy Mayfair'87, Phil Mickelson '90, MitchVoges '91, Matt Kuchar '97, HankKuehne' 98, David Gossett '99, JeffQuinney '00, Ben Dickerson '01,Ricky Barnes '02, Nick Flanagan"03 and Ryan David Moore '04
Ryan Moore, an amateur whowon everything this past year, hada turning point of his own, and thatwas when Arnold Palmer told himto stay in school. Moore is justabout the hottest new thing in golf,but when asking advice fromArnold, The King told him to stayand finish up school, enjoy themoment and then take up the game
professionally.Arnold has left his legacy in
Michigan, winning the U. S.Amateur, the Senior Championshipat Oakland Hills and by designingthe likes of The Ravines, ThePreserve, The Legend, NorthvilleHills, King's Challenge and TheCrown.It was a glorious even that perfect-ly captured the impact this manhad on golf. As the score bearerswalked behind their repective four-somes, it was noted that Arnie'sgroup wasn't keeping score. Itseemed they were concentrating onthe moment. There was onemoment, when Arnold walked upthe 18th fairway holding the handof his new lady friend, stopped,and then gave a soft and knowingwave to all those who were thereto honor him.
Long Live the King. MG
F A L L 2 0 0 4 • M I C H I G A N G O L F E R M A G A Z I N E
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
Long Livethe King
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