Jack Nicklaus gives touching tribute to Arnold Palmer
LABTROBE, Pa. — His biggest rival and one of his closest friends, legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus honored the late Arnold Palmer in a moving speech, at times, fighting back tears.
Speaking at Palmer’s memorial service held Tuesday morning at the Saint Vincent Basilica Parish at Saint Vincent College, Nicklaus delivered a tribute called “My Rival, My Friend” that reflected on the pair’s bond and moved many of those in attendance to tears.
“He was an everyday man,” Nicklaus said during his speech. “Everyone’s hero. Arnold managed to remove the ‘I’ from icon and instead let the world share in his greatness.”
Nicklaus shared stories about the time he spoke on behalf of Palmer, when he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, about the time he first saw Palmer play golf, and about the birth of their rivalry.
“For anyone who has ever loved golf, I’m not sure who needed the other the most,” Nicklaus said. “So let’s just call it a love affair to last a lifetime. The game gave so much to Arnold, but he gave back so much more. Arnold came along when golf needed him most — when TV first embraced the sport of golf — they had a swashbuckling hero, with Arnold as its face.”
Nicklaus was among the friends, family members and golfers who remembered and celebrated Palmer’s life and accomplishments. Among the others were Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson.
“He was the king of our sport, and he always will be,” Nicklaus said. “Like the great (broadcaster) Vin Scully, when he called his last game Sunday night for the Dodgers: ‘Don’t be sad because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’ Today I hurt, just like you hurt. You don’t lose a friend of over 60 years and not feel an enormous loss. But like my wife always says, ‘The memories are the cushions of life.’ ”
The friendship between Palmer and Nicklaus — two of the “Big Three,” in addition to Gary Player — spanned six decades. To this day, both Palmer and Nicklaus remain the only two golfers to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom as well as the Congressional Gold Medal.
Between the two, Nicklaus and Palmer, amassed 135 PGA Tour victories.
Palmer died Sept. 25, at the age of 87, in Pittsburgh.
“Remember when Arnold Palmer touched your life, and touched your heart,” Nicklaus said to conclude his speech, “please, don’t forget why.”
PHOTOS: MEMORIAL SERVICE HONORS ARNOLD PALMER