Thursday 4 March 2021

And It Was In Canadian Dollars

 


I did not know that.

That Arnold Palmer's first career win was at the 1955 Canadian Open.

He won $2,400.

Boy have prize purses changed since then.

The Canadian Open winner now receives over $5,000.  

If you are too lazy busy to read the rest of the paragraph, Arnie's career earnings were 1.9M$.  This winner of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational will earn 1.7M$.


Tiger revolutionized golf.  But Arnie is a big part of the reason winners now earn 1.7$, not $5,000.

My favourite Arnie story was when he was having a terrible round and got 11 on one hole. When asked by a reported how he could possibly get an 11,  Arnie replied, "Lucky putt."


What a great stateman.

But this is how I really remember those guys; striding up the 18th fairway on a Sunday afternoon, watching on a 19" Philco TV.






6 comments:

northerndreamer said...

So why have we never had the pleasure of your company during one of our many casual rounds in NB? Surely you're as good as Rob or Mr. P.

Urban Cowboy said...

It's unfair to unleash my stylish Boca Raton leisurewear on an unsuspecting North Bay public.

Rob Greenfield said...

again
hahahahahaha

northerndreamer said...

again...you'd still have a hard time outstyling Mr. P.

FINS UP2 said...

Arnie was also the first to brand himself which wasn't easy back then. Arnie golf clothing line was well worn until most of those old folks passed on. I imagine heaven is full of people wearing Arnold Palmer and drinking Arnold Palmer's. The Bear is soon to be next.

The Canadian Open in 1955 was held at Weston Golf C&C. Still there to this day. I had the pleasure of playing twice in the late 80s. The old boys would finish golf and sit on the veranda and play gin rummy until the wives called the clubhouse before cell phones. They put the car on auto pilot and drove home. Gone are the days when...

Urban Cowboy said...

Funny you should mention that. I had lunch this week with three people, of a certain age, and they all ordered Arnold Palmers. I'm embarrassed to say I had to ask, what's in an Arnold Palmer....