Fans share their favorite memories of Arnold Palmer

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We asked fans to send birthday wishes to Arnold Palmer and share their favorite memories of the 80-year-old legend. Here are a few of the responses:

I have many Arnie stories, having walked many a mile following him since the 1970s.

PHOTO ESSAY: There may never be a golfer as photogenic as Arnold Palmer. Need proof? Check out these images of his career. Click here 80 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT ARNIE: Is it his smile? His untucked shirt? Or the fact that he has a tea named after him? Columnist Melanie Hauser has her top 80. Click here PLAYERS REACT: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw and others discuss their memories of Arnie, and the impact he has made on their careers. Click here BEST MEMORIES: PGATOUR.COM's columnists share their best memories of dealing with the King. Click here FATHER AND SON: PGATOUR.COM's Brian Wacker reveals how Arnie reached out to his father, who was dying of cancer. Click here LETTER FROM ARNIE: Helen Ross shares a note from Arnie that inspired her father in his battle against prostate cancer. Click here INFLUENCE ON GOLF: He isn't just a golfer. He's an icon who transcended the game, created an Army and made golf cool to watch. Click here ARNIE'S NUMBERS: His wins, margins of victory and the rest of Arnie's numbers. Click here

When he played one year at the Kemper (Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C.), a golfing girlfriend and I had followed him all day. On this particular hole, he hit a pine branch and I rushed to pick it up, having to almost wrestle it from someone else. I carried it all day and it has been in a shadow box hanging on my wall in my home for almost 40 years.

I saw him play his last round at the Masters and hope to be there next year when Arnie and Jack strike the first tee shot together. Bless you and your family, Arnie, and may this be the best birthday ever. -- Anna from Hartsville, S.C.

I met Mr. Palmer at the Masters in 1993. It was Tuesday's practice round, and I was standing at the tee box at No. 11. As he approached the tee box with Jack Nicklaus and Dan Forsman, I asked him if he could come closer so I could take his picture. He came right up to me and said, "Is this close enough?" I took his picture, and then he started talking to me, asking me where I was from. Jack told us to hush, for Dan was teeing off. We both laughed by being hushed by Jack. I was 47 at the time. My memory is like it was yesterday.

Arnie, I wish you a very blessed happy birthday and wish you to have many more. Thank you for my personal memory and for all of the memories you have given to all of us. -- Barb from Albany, Ga.

It was the 1982 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. I took my father to his first golf tournament. Like everyone my age, Arnold Palmer was my idol.

We were following Arnold and his group on the first day. We were on the back of the 17th green, and Arnie was in the light rough hitting his approach. He hit his shot and it came out low and right toward the flag. Running hot, it skipped a couple of times and hit me in the shin and stopped in front of me.

It stung a little, but I was so excited because Arnold Palmer was going to be standing right next to me. He walked up to the ball and asked me, "Are you OK?" and I replied, "Yes, sir, and you're going to hole this shot."

He grinned and still was frustrated about missing the green; he walked around some and checked the line while another player was chipping from the front of the green. He came back to the ball, and I said, "Knock it in." He replied, "I'll give it a run."

Right into the cup for birdie. Everyone went nuts, and he looked dumbfounded and shrugged his shoulders and held his arms up as if to say, "Would you look at that?" and then he turned toward me and gave me a wink. I just grinned even more and continued to clap.

We followed him up the 18th, and after the round he signed two hats for me. I treasure both of them. One went to my father, who we lost three years ago. Whenever I think of Southern Hills or the PGA or see those hats with Arnie's signature, I remember that special event that I got to share with my father. Arnold Palmer is a truly special man and helped bring golf into the great game that we all share today. He always has time and a kind word for those who admire him. Happy birthday, Mr. Palmer, may you have a very special 80th and many more. -- John from Rogers, Ark.

I am 60 years old and have truly admired Arnie my whole life. He was such a gracious winner, and more importantly, a gracious loser. When I was young, many of my friends and myself would do the Arnie head cock after a shot to be like the King.

Happy birthday, Arnie! I know I will never meet you but know there are millions of us that feel they know you as a family member. -- Rob

I think it was 1965 and Arnold Palmer and Bob Charles were playing an exhibition match at Miramar Golf Club in Wellington, New Zealand. I was given the day off from secondary school to go watch but on the condition I keep my school uniform on.

On one hole, Arnie saw me in the small crowd and wandered over to ask if I should be in school instead of on the golf course. When I told him the story, he was a bit dubious but thanked me for coming out and gave me his ball and an autograph. As a 14-year-old at the time, what a thrill. We did not see enough of Arnie in New Zealand or Australia.

Happy birthday, Mr. Palmer, and it is "My Game and Yours" that I have turned to again after taking up golf once more at 58! Still the best golf book I have ever owned. -- Bernard

Two words come to mind when I think of Arnold Palmer: gentleman and class. Mr. Palmer, thanks for setting the standard for both on the course and off the course behavior. -- Mark from Castro Valley, Calif.

My father was the president of the Peoria Golf Association back in the late 50s. Dad signed Arnold Palmer to do an exhibition in Peoria and that next week, Arnie won his first Green Jacket in Augusta. Although Arnie suddenly could command much higher exhibition fees, he refused to increase the price for those who supported him when he was still a struggling unknown.

Mr. Palmer was a very gracious guest and both my parents had wonderful memories of his visit, in which dad got an autographed ball from him.

When dad was dying of bladder cancer, he wrote Mr. Palmer about his appreciation for this exhibition.

Dad didn't mention his own battle with cancer, but still Mr. Palmer took the time to write a hand-written response. This was not just a "thank you," but a fairly long note about how he remembered his visit to Peoria and how he appreciated the opportunity to play for his Peoria fans.

This note was one of the last letters my father received before he passed away three years ago. Mr. Palmer took the time to write to a fan and did it the old-fashioned way -- by hand. It was a confirmation for our family; in a sport known for true gentlemen, Mr. Palmer is one of the very finest. -- Mark

The memory I've had of Mr. Palmer in my mind for years is when he was giving a lesson on TV on how to hit a ball over a pond without dunking in the pond.

So Arnie hit the shot and, bang, he dumped it in the pond. The last you see of the clip is Arnold laughing. -- Dennis