Palmer, the four-time Masters champion, died Sunday at 87 years old.
Palmer’s grace, wit and — somewhat unexpectedly — golf skills were on full display on Sept. 11, 2000, at Hillcrest Country Club. The day after his 71st birthday, Palmer played in a nine-hole exhibition that once served as a prelude to the Boise Open.
He played with three younger tour pros and shot 1-under 34 on the tournament back nine of Hillcrest, including a birdie on his first hole. He had the best score of the group.
Palmer’s Boise appearance was nearly a quarter-century in the making.
Sanders played 18 holes with Palmer at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club in 1976. Palmer agreed to play with the top men’s and women’s players on the University of Oregon golf teams to raise money for the program.
At the post-round banquet, Palmer donated half of his appearance fee back to the golf programs, Sanders said.
Sanders played with Palmer again a few years later. They both showed up early for a practice round at Waialae Country Club for the PGA Tour’s annual event on Oahu. They played nine holes as a twosome and reminisced about that round in Eugene.
Sanders continued to cross paths with Palmer during his career on the business side of golf. Sanders worked for the Fred Meyer Challenge in Portland, where Palmer played. And he has given sponsor’s exemptions to Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders, in recent years.
Sanders marveled at Palmer’s approach to events like those exhibitions in Eugene and Boise.
Masingill played in the 1981 U.S. Open as an amateur. The event was staged in Pennsylvania, Palmer’s home state.
Palmer teed off in a practice round in the group behind Masingill. He signed so many autographs between holes, Masingill said, that Palmer finished the round about five groups back.
Palmer still was making occasional appearances on the senior tour in 2001, when Masingill turned pro to try to play his way onto that circuit. He got into The Transamerica in Napa, Calif., through a Monday qualifier. It was his debut on the senior tour.
Before the errant divot on the driving range, Masingill encountered Palmer.
Masingill experienced a few moments like that with Palmer during his career.
Thomsen played a practice round with Palmer at the 2004 Senior PGA Championship. He wrote letters to Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and was able to play separate practice rounds with both.
Thomsen’s practice round with Palmer included Doug Sanders and another club pro.
Thomsen also has stopped by Bay Hill Golf Club in Florida, where Palmer maintained an office. He got to talk golf with him there, too.
At his first PGA Tour event, Thomsen arrived at the driving range to find Palmer and Nicklaus hitting balls. If he’d asked them to play a practice round with him, they probably would have, he said.