Palmer on the PGA TOUR, Tiger and his own game

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John Swantek, host of "Talk of the TOUR" on SIRIUS XM Radio, discusses the 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard with the legendary tournament host.

JOHN SWANTEK: Our next guest is none other than the host of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. It is our great pleasure to welcome back to the program Mr. Arnold Palmer. My understanding is your first glimpse of Bay Hill was when you were in town for a college tournament with Wake Forest sometime in the mid-50s, and that's when you fell in love with the property, is that right?

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Arnold Palmer

ARNOLD PALMER: Well, that's fair enough. Yes, that was my first introduction to it. Of course in the early 60s, I became much more familiar with it and had an opportunity to see what was really here. And it worked out very well.

SWANTEK: You purchased the property in 1976, and I'm sure you had a vision but did you ever imagine that from the time of the first tournament in 1979 that it would still be going strong some 30 years later?

PALMER: I certainly thought so and hoped so, but let me just make a minor correction. I really took over Bay Hill in 1969, and that was a lease with an option to buy. And I think that confuses some people, but I really took over in '69.

SWANTEK: What will your role consist of as host this week in what will be a very busy tournament week?

PALMER: Just greeting people and seeing that things go smoothly. It's sort of a lazy man's job. But every once and a while there is something that comes up and you need to do a little work.

SWANTEK: Will you be involved in a game or two for a few nickels this week perhaps?

PALMER: I do not think so. My golf is taking a rest, and I'm spending some time on the practice tee hitting some balls and just trying to keep some semblance of a golf game together.

SWANTEK: You and your design team reworked Bay Hill back in 1990. All the greens were redone at that time, and the par value was changed to 72. Have there been any changes since last year's tournament?

PALMER: There have been no changes except that the golf course today is probably as good as it has ever been in the history of the Bay Hill Club. However, having said that, come May 15th we will be redoing the golf course, and certainly a lot of it, the greens, the sand traps, some of those things. I won't say we will be doing it totally over , but we will be doing a lot of adjustments to the golf course.

SWANTEK: The tournament annually attracts one of the year's strongest fields. Yes, they love the course, but they have great respect for the host. They all speak so highly of your character and integrity. That must mean a lot to you when they come each year.

PALMER: Of course we are always very pleased to have the players come here and play and most appreciative of the fact that they do come. And, of course, to say that Tiger Woods is one of the guys who has really supported the tournament is something we appreciate very much.

SWANTEK: Yes, the guy in the red shirt you have handed this award to five times on Sunday evening is back. How does Tiger look to you in his first couple of events back?

PALMER: I'll tell you this: I won't say that he will win, but I won't bet against him either.

SWANTEK: The 19 sponsor exemptions that have been given out include one to 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa of Japan. It's part of your efforts to promote international players around the globe. The 17-year-old is quite impressive, isn't he?

PALMER: He is. He is very impressive, and of course he's currently playing pretty well. He got off to a fair start at the tournament in Tampa, and we're looking forward to having him here. I think he will attract a lot of attention.

SWANTEK: We are visiting with the host of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard which has been the presenting sponsor now since 2004. During these difficult economic times, how appreciative are you of this continued partnership with MasterCard?

PALMER: MasterCard has been just fantastic. What a great sponsor they have been. And hopefully, they will be our sponsor for many, many years to come. But having that association has been very, very good.

SWANTEK: In your estimation from all your years in the game, what can these players do in these economic times to help promote the game and the TOUR a little bit more.

PALMER: I think they need to become more aware of the things that are involved in sponsoring a golf tournament and the conditions with which the sponsors and the tournament people have to go through to make it possible for them to have the kind of golf and tournament schedule that they have. I'm not sure that all the players take the time to look at the situation and show their gratitude for what is happening and what has made golf one of the great sports of all time. So I would suggest that the players take a little more time and look at the situation and show their graciousness with the sponsors and the people who work the tournaments.

SWANTEK: I know the tournament is very proud to support the Arnold Palmer Hospital for children, which was established over 20 years ago. It is one of the most-respected facilities in children's health care. I know your mission is not to just make it the best in Orlando, but the best in the entire world, correct?

PALMER: We are working in that direction, and certainly we think that the Hospital for women and children and the Winnie Palmer Pediatric Hospital for Children along with the cancer research center and the trauma and emergency area which is all dedicated to women and children. We are grateful for the people who help support it, and we are looking forward to really advancing as the years go on.

SWANTEK: I have heard you say the seven major championships, all the victories, the accolades - - you would give it all back because it doesn't compare to saving the life of a child. Are those hospitals the most enduring part of your legacy do you think?

PALMER: They certainly are very important. However, I must say that I am involved in prostate cancer and cancer programs that we are pushing and supporting wholeheartedly, and we can't say enough for the programs that have been successful outside of the Orlando area. And of course, we continue to support them as well as the Arnold Palmer Hospital for women and children.

SWANTEK: You don't really turn 80 this year do you, young man?

PALMER: Yes, I'm afraid I do. And with a little luck, I'll make 80, thank you very much.

SWANTEK: Well you look terrific, as vibrant as ever, and we really appreciate your valuable time during a very busy week at Bay Hill. So thank you, and all the best to you.

PALMER: Thank you, and we appreciate your support.