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The telephone rings with word that his plane has landed safely at the airport. Excitement billows through a growing crowd while the staff rambles about completing last-minute touches before he arrives. In the blink of an eye, another phone call delivers a heady warning, “Ten minutes to showtime.”
In the distance, a car pulls up to the entrance, and greeters anxiously await a first view. As the car stops, he steps onto the curb. Immediately, he extends a hand for the first of countless handshakes, while sporting his genuine and particularly recognizable grin. Although one is acutely aware of standing in the company of a living legend, it is remarkable how quickly the nerves tend to settle, as his gentle nature relieves any initial anxiety. As the “King” walks up the path, the sun reflects flawlessly in the lake, and the fountain sings a song of admiration.
King’s Walk Golf Course--an Arnold Palmer Signature Course--welcomed Palmer to Grand Forks, N.D., on September 3, 2008. As a designer of over 300 courses worldwide, Palmer first visited Grand Forks in 2000 to oversee the design and progress of the course. Owned and operated by the Grand Forks Park District, the course opened in 2002. During his recent visit, Palmer toured the course, provided comments to the staff, and attended a public question-and-answer session. He complimented the park staff on the condition of the course, and was pleased with the devotion to his original design.