A dinner at the White House led to a memorable exchange between two icons. Golf legend Arnold Palmer was asked a question by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.
During an appearance on the Vanity Index Podcast, Jim Nantz recollected the time when Queen Elizabeth made her first social visit to the White House after 16 years. And Nantz was sitting to Palmer’s right with two empty spots in front of them.
When President George W. Bush escorted Her Majesty into the room, they walked around and stopped right in front of them, and took the empty seats.
Nantz said, “So finally, she took this into her own hands, and she said, ‘Mr. Palmer, may I ask you a question?’ Arnie could not hear at the end. He wore hearing aids in both ears, double-barreled.”
At the time, Palmer had been using hearing aids for a long while. As fans may know, he struggled with hearing and conversational speech.
“She said, ‘How many people in your lifetime do you figure you’ve played golf with, and you cannot count the same person more than once?’ [Palmer] looked at me and said, ‘Huh?’ So I interpreted the question for him.”
And Palmer just shrugged. Queen Elizabeth guessed that it was 100,000 people. But Palmer asked her to go higher after Nantz interpreted the number to him. And when Queen Elizabeth guessed that it was 500,000 people, Palmer gave her his iconic grin with a thumbs up.
But we all know no one can play against that many different people.
Arnold Palmer Got the Reality Check After Two Weeks
About two weeks after that dinner, Nantz and Palmer were in Maryland. That’s when Arnold Palmer asked him why he didn’t ask about the Queen’s question before. And Nantz’s response pointed to the math that didn’t add up.
He said, “If you came out of the womb, day one, and they put a diaper on you with the umbrella logo, the drink, you got your Ketel One in a sippy cup, and you got your Uncle Jerry, your dad, and another guy, we can’t count them again. Well, round numbers, that’d be a thousand people a year. You have to be 500 years old!”
Palmer admitted that Nantz was right. And the story became Nantz’s favorite moment with Arnold Palmer.
He even shared the story at Palmer’s eulogy in 2016. Reflecting on the legendary golfer’s life, Nantz said, “I just made the point, though, that Arnie felt like he touched, and he did, hundreds of thousands and millions of people with his kindness and warmth.”
Trending slideshow: Arnold Palmer: A King Who Treated Everyone Like Family
Aditi Singh
Arnold Palmer: A King Who Treated Everyone Like FamilyWhen people call Arnold Palmer “The King”, it isn’t just about trophies or titles, it’s about the way he carried himself. This heartwarming account from Conrad Benitez, President of The Orchard Golf, isn’t just a memory, it’s a reminder of Palmer’s timeless grace, his humility, and his quiet insistence that kindness was never optional. Here’s a story that captures the real man behind the golf club. Mark Newcombe/ImagoYears ago, Conrad Benitez and his companions visited Bay Hill in hopes of obtaining a high-resolution photograph of Palmer. It was a simple request, but what unfolded showed the character of the man they admired. Mark Newcombe/Visions In Golf/ImagoAs Palmer stepped off his golf cart after a round, Benitez and his group introduced themselves as visitors from The Orchard. Instead of offering a polite nod and moving on, Palmer welcomed them with genuine warmth, as though they were old friends. Colorsport/ImagoPalmer invited them into his office and served them glasses of the drink he made famous, half iced tea, half lemonade. The gesture was small, yet it reflected his instinct to make others feel at home. Chris Condon/PGAEven his staff mirrored that same graciousness. They ensured the group received the photo they had come for, treating them not as an inconvenience but as valued guests. It was clear that Palmer’s leadership shaped the atmosphere around him. St Petersburg Times/ImagoThe next day, their caddy shared an anecdote that revealed Palmer’s true nature. While NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was practising on the Bay Hill putting green, a ten-year-old boy politely asked him for an autograph. Instead of responding kindly, the quarterback dismissed the child and sent him away. Mark Newcombe/ImagoPalmer witnessed the exchange. Without hesitation, he approached Roethlisberger and told him to leave the course. His words carried a simple but powerful message: if you cannot give time to your fans, Bay Hill will not give time to you. ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoThat moment explained why Arnold Palmer was revered far beyond his achievements on the course. He never forgot the people who cheered for him. To him, fans were not distractions. Peter Stachiw/ImagoPalmer’s words reflected the way he lived. Respect wasn’t reserved for select people; it was extended to everyone, whether a young boy on a putting green or visitors from across the world. Adam Stoltman/ImagoWhat stood out most was that Palmer’s actions matched his values. He didn’t see fans as distractions or obligations. He saw them as the heart of the game. That is why his reputation went beyond golf; he became a symbol of decency and humanity. PCN Photography/ImagoTo Arnie’s Army and to countless others, Palmer’s greatness was measured not only by championships but by his humanity. He will always be remembered as the champion who carried himself with humility, generosity, and respect. That is why he was, and will always be, The King. Golffile Thos Caffrey/ZUMA Press/Imago
