Barr, Zokol pay tribute to late legend
Arnold Palmer was a golfing legend, a champion with seven major titles and 62 PGA Tour wins.
But one day in the early 1980s, at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club in Kelowna, Canada’s David Barr says he got the better of ‘The King’ — in the unlikeliest of ways. It’s a memory that still sticks out for Barr when talking about Palmer, who died Sunday at the age of 87.
Playing with fellow Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Dan Halldorson against Palmer and his American teammate Hale Irwin, Barr says he chipped in from a difficult spot off the green to best his legendary U.S. opponents on the final hole.
“It was not an impossible shot but an improbable one to make,” said Barr in a phone interview. “He kind of looked over at me, and he was like, ‘What did you just do?’
“Growing up here and having that opportunity to play with a couple of great golfers in your hometown — that doesn’t normally happen every day in life. The opportunity that was there and then to come out on top, it was something special.”
Barr also played alongside Palmer in the Skins Game. They were paired up in 1990 with Mark Calcavecchia and Ray Floyd at Weston Golf and Country Club, the site of Palmer’s win at the 1955 Canadian Open.
“Just being … around the man, you just picked up little things and admired the man,” said Barr.
Kitimat native Richard Zokol echoed those sentiments of Palmer’s friendly and inclusive way of life, adding he was a “pioneer” and a “trailblazer” in the sports business world.
“When everyone walked away — and I mean everyone — they felt like he was genuine and a friend,” said Zokol.
Zokol says his first encounter with Palmer occurred when they were paired together in the third round at the San Diego Open in 1983.
It’s absolutely remarkable to watch the reaction of everybody … when he walks in. It’s like what you would expect for royalty.
“As I was listening to my Walkman — I had a sleepless night knowing that I’m being paired with Arnold Palmer — he came up and asked to try on the headphones. So, he put them on. I’m not sure what I was listening to. It could’ve been the Rolling Stones, which would’ve put him off. He gave the headphones back and incredulously said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’” said Zokol with a laugh.
In 2011, when Zokol was induct- ed into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, he received a letter from Palmer, congratulating him.
“I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it. It was so powerful. It was so deeply gratifying,” he said. “He gives recognition. And it’s magical when you’re receiving those gifts from him.”
Palmer’s influence reached the entire golf and sports world.
He designed two local courses: Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey and the Whistler Golf Club.
On Monday, Whistler Golf Club sales manager Ro Davies said the flag on the 18th green was being kept at half mast. A gardener at the club had also collected bouquets of flowers from around the course, placing them in honour of Palmer.
Plans for more tributes are underway at the Whistler course.
“I’ve been in the same room when he’s been there. It’s absolutely remarkable to watch the reaction of everybody … when he walks in,” said Kris Jonasson, executive director of B.C. Golf.
“It’s like what you would expect for royalty. There’s no other word to describe it.”