THE FIRST FAREWELL (2002)
Charlie Mechem, business adviser and former LPGA commissioner: "He was very sad. That was in the aftermath of the infamous letter [sent by Augusta National to some older former champions who had not been competitive, outlining that their lifetime exemptions to the tournament would end in 2003]. You remember the press conference. They asked him, 'Why are you quitting now?' He said, 'I don't want to get a letter.' But there was no carping or complaining other than that line, which was very tongue-in-cheek. The Masters officials didn't think it was tongue-in-cheek at first, even though those who knew him did."
Alastair Johnston: "Things have been smoothed over now. I'm really happy that it ended up the way it did with Hootie [club chairman Hootie Johnson] being big enough to change his mind. He'd had some conversations with Arnold that week, and Arnold wasn't thrilled with them. Hootie didn't tell him to resign [as a competitor], but he was asking enough questions that Arnold felt he wouldn't be too welcome. He had the emotional breakdown at the press conference."
Jack Nicklaus: "Last year Arnold and I had a nice day. We went up to Augusta; I took [son] Michael, and Arnold took Sam, his grandson. That was in March. That's when we met with Hootie and changed back the rule. I think they respect Arnold and respect me. We get asked a lot of things, and that's a nice compliment to both of us. We've stayed together side by side on just about every issue that relates to the game of golf. When one of us has an issue, the other supports it, and vice versa. That's an important thing in life, to have a friend like Arnold who realizes the game of golf is far more important than any one of us."
Roy Saunders, son-in-law: "A lot of things were going on in my head, with my mother-in-law not there to see him. You can't talk. You walk. You're gritting your teeth. And you do your job. It was a moment in history, but I'm glad he gets a chance to do No. 50. It's a great number to finish it on. To know what he's meant to the game of golf, but more important, what he has meant to me and his grandchildren, is pretty special."
Ed Seay: "I've told Arnold, 'They care about you. They don't care what you shoot. They just want to see you.' It's hard for him to accept that. He's a competitive dude."
Dick Ferris, former chairman of United Airlines, chairman of the PGA Tour Policy Board, and a member of Palmer's inner circle: "He loves it with every fiber of his soul. He asked me, 'Should I play?' I told him, 'Of course you should play. Make it your last one.' "
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