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Minchew joined Palmer’s firm in
1982. “Being from Augusta and
saying working for him was a thrill
would be an understatement at
best,” says Minchew. “Although he
had an incredible ability to play
golf in a truly exciting way, his gift
was the way he engaged people—
his eye contact, a smile, and the
unforgettable handshake all done
with a sincerity that he truly was
interested in you! Those that worked
with him all had the privilege of
experiencing truly the person anyone
would ever aspire to come close to
being. I can truly say out of the public
eye he was the gem that everyone
thought he was. Working with and
for him will always be a cherished
blessing! He will always be an
American hero, one that was all about
having fun with those he was with, a
true giver. The world is a better place
having had Arnold Palmer.”
“I was privileged to work for the king
of our beloved sport,” says Larsen,
who worked alongside Palmer from
1983 to 2011. “He was a gentleman.
In fact, it isn’t fair to just talk about his
contributions to golf and philanthropic
endeavors. He was an American hero.
I would have been proud to work with
him for one day, let alone 28 years.”
“I have been thinking a lot about
what a sincere and genuine, true ‘gentle
man’ he was,” says Martz, who joined
Palmer in 1985. “When he focused
on you, you were the most important
person in the world. That was how
he was with everyone. Personally, I
value the opportunity he gave me.
He was gender blind, which was
unusual in the mid-80s. He told me
I could be whatever I had the talent
for and wanted to be. He valued my
participation within the company.
It was groundbreaking. I had the
wonderful opportunity to learn not
only golf design at his elbow, but also
off the course and how he expected
you to conduct yourself in business. He
was a mentor and he was my friend.”
Arnold Palmer Design Company
continues to thrive under the direction
of Thad Layton, ASGCA Associate,
and Brandon Johnson. “Never have I
met such a fighter and a man of true
integrity; he was the genuine article,”
Layton reflects. “It was an honor to
have worked alongside him over the
past 20 years, sharing his enthusiasm
for the game he loved through his
work. His legacy will live on through
the countless lives he touched along
the way and the beautiful courses that
bear his name.”
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Palmer with long-time design partner and
ASGCA Past President Ed Seay (above),
and current Arnold Palmer Design Company
principals Thad Layton, ASGCA Associate,
and Brandon Johnson (top)
Photo: Andrew Redington/Staff/Getty Images