by John Hamarik

I was a 24 year old rookie pro on my way to play the Asian tour in 1982. My entire life was about to take a change since I was exempt to play in ten big tournaments in Asia. My initial flight left from Cleveland, Ohio to LA where I had a two-hour delay. While I was waiting to board the United 747 to fly to Honolulu, I noticed someone in the first class line.

When I realized who was going to be a passenger on the five-hour flight, I was in awe. Arnold Palmer had obviously decided to fly commercial instead of flying his personal jet to compete in the Hawaiian Open in 82. It was obvious to me that he was gonna be in the first class section.

When I boarded the plane, my mind began to consider all possibilities on how I was going to get into first class and shake hands with the golfer who was responsible for making golf the game that it is today.

After two hours into the flight, my flight stewardess came to my seat to pick up my lunch tray. I smiled at her and told her I needed to get into first class for a few moments. She kind of laughed at me and said that would be impossible for me to enter the first class cabin. I was not going to give up. I told her very sternly, that I needed to speak with the stewardess in charge. Five minutes later, some older lady dressed in the United Airline apparel approached me and I attempted to explain to her that Arnold palmer was in First Class and absolutely had to meet him, since I was a golf professional and I also told her that Mr. Palmer had personally sent me a congratulatory letter when I won the Ohio Amateur in 1981, a tournament that he had won in the late 50's. She was still opposed to me walking into first class.

I finally convinced her to talk to the captain, who fortunately was a golfer and after explaining my situation, he told her to accompany me into first class for a few minutes.

I now began to get very nervous. Just imagine, in a few minutes, I was about to meet my hero and one of the greatest golfers of all time. A man who totally changed the complexion of golf and brought it to television with such flair and excitement.

The next few anxious minutes of walking forward into the cabin were Mr. Palmer was seated will always be in my mind. I did not know what to expect; would he be angry that someone from the other side of the plane interrupted his flight? Would he say hello and ask me to leave and get back to my seat?

Well, I was about to find out. I entered the first class cabin with total confidence and self-assurance. As I entered, I saw Arnold Palmer engaged in a conversation with another gentleman in first class. I walked up to the two men who were speaking and waited until their dialogue ceased and held out my hand and said, "Mr. Palmer, I have waited three years to shake your hand!" I told him who I was and that he had sent me a congratulatory letter after winning the 1981 Ohio Amateur, a trophy that has his name engraved on it.

He seemed to remember the correspondence and we spoke for the next fifteen minutes about golf, traveling and life. He was flying to Honolulu to play in the Hawaiian Open and I was on my way to Manila, Philippians to begin my Asian Tour. Mr. Palmer seemed very interested in my new career and offered a few bits of advice. I had just received advice from one of the greatest players in history. After a few more minutes of golf talk, I thanked Arnold, wished him good luck at Waillai, and shook his hand one more time and went back to my seat.

My experience at 35,000 feet, meeting the great Arnold Palmer will remain with me forever.