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Arnold Palmer in favour of continuing golf during war time
Orlando (Florida), Mar 20: Arnold Palmer believes it`s important for American sports to continue as usual during any military action against Iraq.
Orlando (Florida), Mar 20: Arnold Palmer believes it's important for American sports to continue as usual during any military action against Iraq.
"I don't think it's unpatriotic to have a sporting event going on," Palmer said on the eve of the Bay Hill invitational, a PGA tour tournament he has hosted since 1979.
"I think those (troops) over there look to see what we're doing, and I think that when they get up in the morning, they look to see who won the golf tournament or the baseball or basketball game," Palmer said.
"I think that diverts them from the fact that they are in danger. I think that gives them something to look forward to. I think their morale would be lesser if we stopped doing all those things."
Only a request from the highest levels of government would get Palmer to change his mind.
"Short of the president of the United States, or my friend Tom Ridge saying it's critical to us that you do not play, we're going to play," Palmer said.
While the Bay Hill invitational is expected to be played as scheduled from Thursday through Sunday, the television coverage in the United States may change.
If war coverage takes precedence, the broadcast scheduled for the NBC network is expected to be switched to NBC's cable sister, CNBC.
Bureau Report
"I don't think it's unpatriotic to have a sporting event going on," Palmer said on the eve of the Bay Hill invitational, a PGA tour tournament he has hosted since 1979.
"I think those (troops) over there look to see what we're doing, and I think that when they get up in the morning, they look to see who won the golf tournament or the baseball or basketball game," Palmer said.
"I think that diverts them from the fact that they are in danger. I think that gives them something to look forward to. I think their morale would be lesser if we stopped doing all those things."
Only a request from the highest levels of government would get Palmer to change his mind.
"Short of the president of the United States, or my friend Tom Ridge saying it's critical to us that you do not play, we're going to play," Palmer said.
While the Bay Hill invitational is expected to be played as scheduled from Thursday through Sunday, the television coverage in the United States may change.
If war coverage takes precedence, the broadcast scheduled for the NBC network is expected to be switched to NBC's cable sister, CNBC.
Bureau Report