Unique client relationships attract international press

1. LPGA | P18
PGA TOUR | P8 PRESIDENTS CUP | P12-17
Annika far ahead in Far East
Campbell’s super finish Who wants it more?
www.golfweek.com I 11.15-22.03
®
Read it. Live it.
Destination special
Scotland Where ye can play ’til
the cows come home
p32-62

2. PERSPECTIVE
A menu fit for a King
LA QUINTA, CALIF.
A
rnold Palmer, all meatloaf and mashed
potatoes, said a mouthful this time.
Such as: He has given an engagement
rock to girlfriend Kit Gawthrop, who owns an
upscale stationery business in San Francisco.
Such as: He prefers plain old American food
to any other cuisine he has encountered in
the world.
The engagement was rumored, the food
commentary was unexpected. “I don’t like fancy
food, all those sauces and everything,” the king said
emphatically. “With all the traveling I’ve done, I’ve
learned where to go to get good, plain food.”
COURTESY/THE TRADITION GOLF CLUB
It was Nov. 1. For the first time, Palmer was
touring his newest namesake, Arnold Palmer’s
Restaurant. Three days later, the restaurant would
stage its grand opening. Transformed into the social
highlight of the fall season, this event attracted
desert society’s crème de la crème (or, using Palmer’s
food guidelines, maybe it was catsup de la catsup).
An invitation became the hottest ticket in town,
and there were multimillionaires who didn’t make The famous Indian Wells dance: Jack and Arnie.
the cut.
Palmer is golf royalty, whether he is blasting a tee
Palmer died in November 1999, and now, four
shot or eating creamed corn, and this pilgrimage led S-Ninety-One, Charger, Charger II and the Arnold
years later, Arnold says he will marry again.
Palmer Wilson steel center. These golf ball boxes are
right to his restaurant. Indeed, one of the early ads,
Palmer, 74, and Gawthrop, 65, have known each
part of a Palmer parade of golf
penned by publicist Carol
other more than 20 years. They have been dating
history.
Ackerman, read, “The only
for the past two years.
Palmer and IMG have fielded
place in America to eat like
“We haven’t set a date,” Gawthrop said. “When
dozens, if not hundreds, of
the King.”
it happens, it will be small and quiet.”
restaurant proposals in the past
What does this king eat?
With his future unfolding in front of him, Palmer
45 years, since he won his first
From the menu, try these
knew that the restaurant opening was all about his
Masters title in 1958. Until
selections: homemade macaroni
past. It was all about memories.
now, all had been rejected.
and cheese, creamy and buttery
There was that famous dance in the dining room
This one is special. The
mashed potatoes, garlic sautéed
at Indian Wells (Calif.) Country Club, with Palmer
concept was put together by
spinach, creamed corn, pot pie
leading Jack Nicklaus, wearing a blonde wig,
David Chapman, a longtime
of the day, traditional meatloaf,
around the dance floor. How did that happen?
collector of Palmer memorabilia
spaghetti and meatballs,
James Achenbach “It was very crowded in the dining room,” Palmer
and developer of The Tradition
spit-roasted chicken, pot roast,
jachenbach@golfweek.com
recalled. “I was returning to my table when I
Golf Club in La Quinta. The
baby back ribs with French fries,
bumped into a woman. I hit her hard enough to
Tradition is where Palmer’s golf
and many other beef and
knock the wig off her head. It fell on the floor, so
course design firm created a showcase layout,
seafood selections.
there she was with her hair in curlers. I felt awful
snug against the mountains, and where Palmer has
Of course, don’t forget dessert: Latrobe banana
about it. To try to take some of the attention away
a residence.
split (the ice cream historians at IMG, the agency
from her, I picked up the wig and put it on my head.
Chapman lured Palmer and other investors,
that represents Palmer, say the banana split was
“I saw Jack blow me a kiss from across the room,
including former LPGA commissioner Charlie
invented in Arnold’s hometown of Latrobe, Pa.),
so I went over and asked him to dance. When we
Mechem, into the project. The restaurant is a
homemade pie of the day, root beer float, or a
got to the dance floor, I real quick took the wig off
5-iron away from The Tradition. It also is within
build-your-own ice cream sundae.
my head and put it on his.”
short-iron distance of the ambitious Old Town La
“Sure, I had some input into the menu,” Palmer
At the restaurant, the main topic of conversation
Quinta development that soon will boast the second
said. “It has my name on it.”
was a jacket and not a wig – a green Masters jacket
Hog’s Breath restaurant (the original, owned by
The cost of dining? It’s moderately expensive, but
hanging in a display case. What gives? Everybody
Clint Eastwood, is in Carmel, Calif.).
the memorabilia in the restaurant is worth the price
knows these jackets are never supposed to leave
La Quinta is serious about golf and attracting
of the food. Observing Palmer, even if it is through
Augusta National Golf Club.
golfers. Home to PGA West and its five courses, La
photos and paintings, is a thoroughly engaging
“I don’t know,” said Palmer, a four-time Masters
Quinta recently embarked on its first municipal golf
experience. The restaurant boasts five dining rooms
champion, in mock seriousness. “Do you think
facility, SilverRock Ranch, where the initial course
– U.S. Open, British Open, Masters, PGA
we’ll hear from Hootie (Johnson, chairman of
is being designed by Palmer and his salty
Championship, Palmer – and each is filled with
Augusta National) about this?”
architectural partner, Ed Seay.
collected memories.
Yes. As sure as beans are green and corn is
Palmer was visibly moved when he toured the
How many golf balls have been sold with
creamed, Hootie will call. Everybody pays attention
restaurant and saw what is fondly labeled the
Palmer’s name? At least six – the XL 90 Plus,
to the King.
“Winnie Wall” in memory of his late wife. Winnie
Arnold Palmer Cutlass, Arnold Palmer ❍
64 Golfweek • November 15-22, 2003 • www.golfweek.com