“Letters from Arnie” – Gary Player

Editor’s note: Throughout Arnold Palmer’s career, The King was well known for sending letters of praise to other golfers. Many of his notes were mailed to Masters Tournament champions. This week, The Augusta Chronicle will feature seven letters that Palmer wrote to other major championship winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel.

In 2007, Gary Player was honored with a key to the City of Augusta for his 50th Masters appearance.

At the time, the accomplishment tied Player with Arnold Palmer for the most starts at the tournament.

“As one of your best friends for these many years,” Palmer wrote to Player on April 2, 2007, “I was delighted to hear about Gary Player Day in Augusta.”

Palmer had already received a key to the city, and told Player, “We both have such wonderful memories of what has happened to us at this great tournament in this wonderful community. I know that you treasure your Masters victories as much as I do mine and will be just as proud as I was to receive a key to the city.”

Palmer and Player shared many battles at Augusta National Golf Club – most notably in 1961 and 1962. At the 1961 Masters, Palmer entered the final hole with a one-stroke lead over Player before collapsing with a double-bogey on No. 18.

A year later, Palmer and Player were at it again. Leading after 54 holes, Palmer struggled with a 39 on the first nine in the final round and needed birdies at Nos. 16 and 17 to force a three-way playoff with Player and Dow Finsterwald.

In the Monday playoff, Palmer shot 5-under-par 31 on the second nine and had only one bogey on the day to finish with 68. Player, looking to become the first repeat Masters winner, posted a respectable 71. Finsterwald shot 77.

Following Palmer’s victory, his caddie Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery told reporters he could see the charge coming.

“He just jerks at his glove, tugs at his trouser belt and starts walking fast,” Avery said. “When Mr. Arnold does that, everybody better watch out. He’s going to stampede anything in his way.”

Following Palmer’s passing in September, Player sent a message regarding his friendship with The King.

“Arnold was many things to many people and undoubtedly made golf more popular,” Player said. “But to me, he was simply a dear friend for over 60 years.”

Reach Doug Stutsman at (706) 823-3341 or doug.stutsman@augustachronicle.com.