The touching tributes to Arnold Palmer continue at Bay Hill this weekend
By Adam Silverstein, CBS Sports Staff
The Arnold Palmer Invitational officially kicked into gear Thursday, but the three days prior were filled with tributes from some of the world’s top golfers.
From special Palmer-engraved wedges to two-of-a-kind golf shoes, some of the game’s biggest stars did what they could to let the world know how much Palmer meant to them.
The tournament itself has honored The King throughout the week as well. Most notably, it announced that it will award one of Palmer’s favorite red sweaters – instead of the tournament’s traditional black jacket – to the 2017 winner. It also unveiled a new statue of Palmer, placed his signature umbrella on the range and has now parked Palmer’s golf cart in his favorite spot – on the tee box at 16.
Losing Palmer in 2016 was especially difficult for the world of golf, a sport once considered purely elitist that he popularized with the common man.
To see the outpouring of affection for Palmer this week in Orlando, Florida, is certainly touching and just a reminder of how much he still means to the game. ❂
