Golf’s first millionaire comes to N.Z. at last

Press, 29 November 1978, Page 36

Golf’s first millionaire comes to N.Z. at last

From

BOB SCHUMACHER,

in Auckland

After a 19-hour flight, with only a brief stopover at Las Vegas, Arnold Palmer arrived at Auckland Airport yesterday and immediately gave a one-hour press conference.

It was hard to believe that the legendary American golfer had not come from spending a week on the beach at Tahiti. He was tanned and looked extremely fit. Palmer said that the back problems that had troubled him several times in the past were now giving him no worries.

Palmer is this year’s drawcard in the Air New Zealand Shell Open which starts at Titirangi tomorrow. It has taken the sponsors several years to attract Palmer to New Zealand, but they are confident that he will draw the crowds to Titirangi. Although business occupies much of Palmer’s time — he is involved in a remarkable number of schemes — he still found time to earn more than $27,000 on this year’s United States circuit, an amount that gave him ninety-fourth piace on the tour.

Palmer played in only 15 tournaments, but the year also gave him one of his biggest disappointments. He failed to make the cut for the United States Open and the United States P.G.A. and admitted that that hurt. Palmer, golf’s first millionaire, still remains third on the list of all-time money earners with a total of $1,789,155. Only Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino, who Just recently edged ahead of him, have won more than the man who did so much to lift the image of golf. While in New Zealand, Palmer has commitments to fulfil other than golf, but he said that he had the will to win the top purse in the $75,000 New Zealand event. He has not won a major tournament since 1975. but he came close to breaking through this year. “I was well placed in the British Open but made some mental errors. And a couple of missed putts cost me two tournaments in the United States.”

Palmer has not played since a mixed tournament in Japan three weeks ago in which he finished third. But he has been practising hard in between handling his many business projects.

Palmer in business is like Palmer playing golf. He is determined to succeed, but if something goes amiss, he

wants to be the first to take the blame.

■ Among the many business- ■ es that Palmer is associated i with is designing courses i around the world. He has i contracts from Bangkok to ■ Tokyo to the coast of [ Florida. He runs three coun- [ try clubs in the United States, is involved in a Cadillac agency and manages the Arnold Palmer Centre, a shopping centre covering 26ha (64 acres).

Palmer also has personal and business interests in aviation and at present is sponsoring his first major tournament. Called the Bayhill Citrus golf classic, it will be played at his country club in Florida from March 1 to 4 and will be one of the big tournaments on next season’s circuit.

More than $l|M has been budgeted for the inaugural event. The 49-year-old American has recently accepted the position as lead announcer for golf telecasts on the CBS network next season. Little wonder his appearances in tournaments are restricted.

Commenting on his visit to New Zealand, Palmer said he was looking forward to working and playing here and doing the things he had; always wanted to do.

“I’ll see the sights and perhaps do a little fishing. I’m not like Nicklaus and won’t be sitting on Barrier Reef for six months, but I enjoy catching a trout and having a beer.”

Discussing his present form, Palmer said that he was driving the ball as well as he ever had “but my iron shots are less accurate and I blame my middle to short irons for 'my lack of success in recent years.

“The fact is that I’m not deliberate endught with my irons, I’m a little quick away with my swing. I’m trying to slow down and gain more accuracy.” Palmer, winner of four United States Masters championships, one United States Open and two British Opens, has been regarded as one of the world’s master putters and certainly many of his successes can be attributed to his expertise on the greens.

At an early stage in his career, Palmer had indoctrinated in him the belief that “you will never get

putts if you leave them short.

: “Golf has always been and always will be a fun game for me,” said Palmer. “I still enjoy it and I enjoy talking to the galleries, that’s why I’m still playing,” he said. That is the impression the Titirangi galleries are certain to gain over the next four days. Yesterday was a day of industry at Titirangi as the final trimmings were completed before today’s Pro-am. Professionals from overseas and from throughout New

Zealand drifted in, some limiting themselves to the practice area, others familiarising themselves with the course.

The field is rich in Outstanding players and the scoring could be spectacular on a course which is magnificently groomed and running fast. For 19 players, the tournament ended before it started. Seventy-nine professionals played at Manukau yesterday in a pre-qualifying round for the 60 vacant positions in the draw.