The King

Arnold Palmer is 80 today. Even if you have never put a peg in the ground and tried to play golf, you know who he is. What you may not fully understand, however, is that his accomplishments on the course are exceeded by his accomplishments off the course and those pale by comparison to his achievements as a human being. Some big business lessons here!

Padraig Harrington recalled seeing Palmer come off the course in an event 10 years ago. Now remember, he’s 70 at the time and really not able to complete with the “kids” in their 50’s on the Champions Tour. However

“He is buzzing,” Harrington said. “You’ve never seen a man with so much excitement and enthusiasm, because he found the secret to the game. I just love the fact he’s played the game at least 50 years competitively, and he’s still convinced that there’s a secret. I just love his enthusiasm.”

Do you feel this way about what you do for a living?  Fired up, constantly seeking to get better?  Palmer was a commanding, exciting presence on the Tour when golf was a little-noticed sport  and grew the game for everyone involved.  His on-course accomplishments, which are many, were the things that made his off-course activities possible.  His partnership with Mark McCormack birthed the modern notion of sports marketing and demonstrated what was really possible for great athletes away from the playing field.

Palmer himself explains the key:

There are many reasons for Arnold’s unsurpassed marketing success. But at the heart of them all is one simple notion: integrity. “I made clear to Mark McCormack from the beginning that I didn’t feel comfortable pitching a product or service I wouldn’t use or didn’t think was very good. That just seemed dishonest to me and I was pretty sure the public would see right through it,” says Arnold.

That is good stuff, whether it’s golf course management or social media.  The King always has time to sign an autograph, talk to a fan, or help a charity.  He’s funded hospitals and nature reserves.  In short, he gives back to those people – the fans – that give him their support.  Another great business lesson.

Happy Birthday, Arnie.  I’m going to drink an Arnold Palmer in your honor!