Champions remember Palmer during dinner

The first Champions Dinner since the passing of Arnold Palmer featured a mix of emotion and celebration.

The traditional gathering of past Masters Tournament champions was Tuesday night. Two-time champion Ben Crenshaw presided over the dinner.

The dinner was served in honor of 2016 champion Danny Willett and featured an array of English-style dishes, including mini cottage pies, Yorkshire pudding, and English cheese and biscuits.

While Willett was honored for his victory, the night was also about Palmer.

“Ben Crenshaw presided and gave the traditional first-year winner’s pin to Danny Willett,” two-time champion Tom Watson said. “Danny spoke, then people spoke about Arnie Palmer after that.

“Several people got up and spoke and told stories about Arnie. It was kind of a heavy dinner last night without Arnie there. Time travels on and people will remember him for what he did for the Masters.”

Adam Scott, who won in 2013, said the dinner began emotionally as people remembered Palmer. It soon turned into a celebration, however, as the older champions told stories and recounted memories of the four-time Masters winner.

“Obviously, there was a big focus on Arnold, rightly so,” Scott said. “Some funny stories told by some of the older guys. Of course, a younger guy and fairly new champion to hear these guys talk never really gets old.

“It was all very nice stuff to hear. He was really missed. We all for a moment had those emotions, but then once those stories came out, it was really a celebration and a lot of fun.”

Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne didn’t speak about the dinner afterward but did share a story during his Wednesday news conference of playing with Palmer years ago and the impact Palmer had on his life.

“I’m not sure I ever met a man who was more giving than Arnold Palmer,” Payne said. “He had a profound influence on my life.”

Watson reiterated a popular belief about Palmer regarding his influence on golf’s rise overall and on television. He also chose to think back during the dinner about Palmer’s impact on people.

“One of the things that’s said about Arnie, and it’s true, Arnie always made people feel good,” Watson said. “Whenever you talked to Arnie, he made you feel good. That was Arnie’s personality. I left them with this: There’s never been a greater friend to golf than Arnold Palmer.”

Reach David Lee at (706) 823-3216 or david.lee@augustachronicle.com.