Alby Oxenreiter: The thrill of meeting Arnold Palmer 'never went away'

PITTSBURGH — It was a somber Sunday night with the news that Arnold Palmer had passed away.

Now, sadness has turned to celebration of a life well-lived.

He was a sports superstar, a golf legend and a world icon, but I remember Arnold Palmer as my childhood sports idol.

The first time I ever played golf, I entertained my foursome by imitating Palmer's swing.

• VIDEO: Alby Oxenreiter recalls playing golf with Arnold Palmer

Fifteen years later, as a young sports reporter, I stood numb as Palmer hit balls at the practice range before my first interview with him. My eyes were fixed on him for the better part of 30 minutes, in disbelief that it was actually Arnold Palmer.

That interview was the first of many with Palmer over the next three decades, but the thrill never went away.  The novelty never wore off.

• RELATED: Arnold Palmer, 'The King' of golf, dies in Pittsburgh at 87

The excitement peaked in early spring 2005, when I had the honor of playing golf with “The King.”

As bad luck would have it, on that dream-of-a-lifetime day, I was dealing with the throbbing pain of a torn muscle in my right forearm (and could barely lift a golf club), but the sheer thrill of being with Palmer wiped out any discomfort.

The pain in my arm was replaced by raw adrenaline, and I enjoyed some of the best shots of my so-so golf life.  I even felt comfortable enough to show Palmer my imitation of his swing.

He doubled over with laughter, and then gave me a lesson. He praised my "powerful swing" (his words), but told me I was leaving too much of my weight on my back foot.

• PHOTOS: Arnold Palmer, Channel 11's Alby Oxenreiter at Laurel Valley Golf Club

"You have to realize," I said, "I'm as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."  For the second time that day, I had my hero in stitches.

They don't come any bigger than Arnold Palmer. They don't come any better either.

I used to be in awe of a legend I didn't know, but after nearly 30 years of getting to know Arnold Palmer, I found myself in awe of his class and humility.  He was golf's greatest ambassador and famous the world over, but a gentleman and a Latrobe guy to the end.

Cox Media Group