New Headline: "Woods' Swing Shifts Focus on Palmer's Prodigy
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/WireImage It has been almost a decade since Arnold Palmer passed away, yet the golfing legend’s influence continues to be felt around the world. Palmer won seven major championships during his remarkable career, but his popularity extended far beyond golf. He was one of the most recognisable athletes of the 20th century.
Among the many celebrities who crossed paths with the American icon was an unlikely figure from a completely different sporting world. Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, the British ski jumper who became a cult hero at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, once had the chance to meet and even play golf with Palmer. Edwards has now shared the story of how the two sporting heroes came together when he was invited to help open a golf course.
It was a memorable day that included a parachute jump, a putting lesson and a lasting memento from ‘the King’ himself. 23 Feb 1988: Eddie Edwards of Great Britain in action during the 90 metres Ski Jump event at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. Edwards finished in 55th place.
Mandatory Credit: David Cannon/Allsport Eddie the Eagle recalls opening Eagle Watch Golf Club with Arnold Palmer Eddie the Eagle’s meeting with Arnold Palmer came when he was invited to help open a golf club in the United States. The Winter Olympian explained that the course, Eagle Watch Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, had been designed by Palmer’s company. “Because of the eagle [name], obviously, they asked me if I would come over and help open it with Arnold Palmer ,” Edwards told HITC .
“So I flew over there, and I jumped out of a plane at about 10 to 12,000 feet and landed on the first tee, and I played a couple of holes of golf with Arnold Palmer. ” Edwards said Palmer even took the time to give him some advice on the greens during their round together. “Yeah, a bit of both [golf and skiing talk] really.