Jul 30, 2013 4 min read

CANONSBURG – How do you show your appreciation to a golf legend for his support of the sport and, in particular, the Mylan Classic?

If it’s Arnold Palmer, why not hold a private, charity dinner at Southpointe Golf Club and call it, “A Tribute to The King?”

That’s what the organizers of the Mylan Classic, of which Palmer is honorary chairman, and the Washington Chamber of Commerce decided on to commemorate this year’s tournament, which gets under way Thursday over the 6,984-yard, par-72 course in Canonsburg.

Looking tanned and healthy, the 83-year-old Palmer was honored Tuesday night with a dinner that raised money for his charities.

And he still has a keen sense of humor.

“I just want to be able to do anything at my age,” said Palmer. “I’m at the point (in my life) where I don’t buy green bananas.”

Jim Rohr, Executive Chairman of The PNC Financial Services Group, and Ed Stack, chairman and CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods, co-chaired the dinner. Invitations were extended to Palmer’s friends and family members, tournament sponsors and supporters.

The tournament will have an exhibit of Palmer memorabilia during the tournament.

“There is all kind of stuff,” Palmer said. “I don’t know what they all brought in. I know they brought a couple truck loads. Golf bags, gloves I used through the years, trophies and plaques.”

Palmer, who was born and raised in Latrobe, has had a strong relationship with the Mylan Classic since first being named honorary chairman in 2010. Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders, has played in the classic, and Palmer has made appearances at Southpointe to show his support for Saunders and the event.

“My grandson is the one who got me into it,” he said. “Of course, I’m always interested in any golf in Western Pennsylvania. It’s why I like it here as much as I do. The Web.com Tour is something that is a way to keep the people coming into the game.

“There were some secondary tours but not a lot (when I played). Today, there are all types of tours going on. It gives those young people a chance to get into the game. It’s a really good thing to have something like the Web.com Tour to play on and learn what it’s all about.”

Palmer is one of the most beloved figures in professional sports, not only for his incredible accomplishments on the PGA Tour but also for his philanthropic efforts and support of the sport off it.

“I’ve had an opportunity to do a lot of charity work, and I appreciate that,” he said. “I can do things for people, with the Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, the Latrobe Hospital and Excela Health in Western Pennsylvania. All of those things are very important to me. As long as I have the equipment and the ability, I’m going to help.”

Palmer also commented on other issues in golf.

On Tiger Woods:

“I think he’s very capable, very fit and I think we’ll see him come on again and win a few tournaments. It’s tough playing as long as he has and you continue to go, go, go. The traveling and pressure of playing golf is something you have to work at. It looks to me that he is close to the top of his game.”

On Phil Mickelson:

“I don’t know that he’s ever played better than he’s playing right now. At his age, that’s a bit unusual. … He spent some time getting in shape and I look for him to do pretty well. There comes a time when that all runs out and there is nothing you can do about it.”

On changes he’s like to see in golf:

“I think we’re on the right track. I think the equipment changes are pretty good and allow the average guy to play a little better game. I think we can slow the golf ball down. Speed of play is something the USGA is pushing and that is very important to help people find a way to play quicker on the golf course.”

Notes

Steve Wheatcroft, a former Washington resident who lives in Jacksonville, Fla., has a 7:21 a.m. start Thursday and 12:46 p.m. tee time for Friday’s second round. … The tournament purse is $675,000 with $121,500 going to the winner. … The Golf Channel will televise all four rounds live: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, and 2-4 p.m. each on Saturday and Sunday.