Feb. 2, 2005 – Arnold Palmer always knew there would be a day when he no longer would be a competitor in the PGA Tour event he founded 26 years ago. That day has arrived, but that doesn't mean he still won't make an impact or that his presence won't be felt at this year's Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard.

"Oh, I'll keep an eye on everybody, that's for sure," the legendary Palmer assured with the same warm smile that has been part of his captivating persona since he turned professional 52 years ago. "I'll miss playing; there's no doubt in my mind about that. But we all move on. I'm moving into another phase with Bay Hill. I'll fulfill my duties as host of the tournament, whatever is needed, and enjoy watching the golf. That will be different, yes, but it's fine. I'm looking forward to the tournament just the same as any other year."

The 27th Bay Hill Invitational is scheduled for March 14-20 at Palmer's Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Fla. One of the premier stops on the PGA Tour, the Bay Hill Invitational traditionally draws one of the strongest fields among golf tournaments from around the world. Chad Campbell, who played the first two rounds last year with Palmer - known throughout his distinguished career for closing charges - is the defending champion after shooting a six-under-par 66 and overcoming a four-stroke deficit on the final day to beat third-round leader Stuart Appleby by six shots. That victory ended the historic four-year winning streak at Bay Hill authored by Tiger Woods.

The Bay Hill Invitational, which began in 1979, has had an impressive array of winners. In addition to Woods and Campbell, the victory roll includes, among others, Tom Kite, Fred Couples, Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and the late Payne Stewart.

Proceeds from the Bay Hill Invitational benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women.

Palmer, 75, who in 2004 played not only in his final Bay Hill Invitational, but also in his 50th and final Masters Tournament, still plans on playing in a few select tournaments in 2005 and wouldn't rule out a similar approach in coming years. "I'll pick and choose," said Palmer, who plans to enter the Senior PGA Championship May 26-29 at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa., which is not far from his hometown of Latrobe. "You'll never hear me say I won't play anymore. But I'll be very selective."

Winner of 62 PGA Tour events, including seven major championships (four Masters, two British Open titles and one U.S. Open), Palmer later this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of his first professional triumph, which came at the 1955 Canadian Open. He would have liked to add his own name to the Bay Hill Invitational victory roster, but he was 49 years old and soon would be a key figure in the formation of what is now called the Champions Tour when he started hosting the event. His best finish was a tie for 24th in 1991 at the age of 61.

"For me, I was close to 50 years old when we really got it going. I was not that much of a factor in the outcome of things. I thought I could be but I wasn't," Palmer said, grinning. "I've played well at times, and I had a wonderful time playing. (But) when you do both (host and play in a tournament) you're taking out a big bite."

Palmer's Bay Hill course has always given the field a lot to chew on. With its humps, mounds and bunkers protecting large, firm greens, and its broad fairways lined by thick rough, the 7,267-yard, par-72 layout is among the most challenging the game's top players encounter all season.

The elite field will find the tournament layout slightly different from last year. Last summer, Palmer personally oversaw alterations to two of the par-three holes, the second and the 17th. In both instances, the greens were renovated to make them a bit more receptive to tee shots. At the Tour's request Palmer softened the undulation on the second hole and raised the front and lower left side. The green at the difficult 17th also was softened and the back right side of the green was built up slightly while the mound in the front-center portion of the green was pushed slightly to the right. Those changes should help prevent some shots from running over the back of the green.

"I think they're good changes," said Palmer, who every year assesses ways to make Bay Hill a better and more challenging test of golf. "I will always look at the golf course; as long as I'm alive I'll look at ways to make it better. Frankly, I think Bay Hill is getting a little too short for the Tour guys. I won't do anything dramatic as far as lengthening it, but I'll continue to monitor how it plays in regards to how far the guys are hitting it, and we'll adjust it accordingly."

Adjustments are a natural part of the evolution of any golf tournament. Palmer over the years has seen the Bay Hill Invitational change in numerous ways.

"One of the biggest changes, of course, is that when we started it, it was $250,000 and it's a $5 million purse now. Much of the changes are the same as have happened throughout the tour. The level of competition is better. The course conditions are better. The treatment of the players, accommodations are so different compared to when we started. There's no question there are more good players. They hit the ball so much farther."

One change that pleases him most is how the tournament is perceived by players, patrons and the media. He is proud of how the event has grown, how its prestige has only increased through the years amid so many fine golf events.

"The fan support has grown tremendously over the years. The crowds are so much bigger," Palmer said. "That's one way to look at the job you're doing. I think we're close to being the No. 1 as far as invitational tournaments are concerned. The best players want to play there and win, and I appreciate that. We're recognized far more than we ever were in the media. The media attention is so much greater. We get writers from all over the world coming to the tournament, particularly from Europe, and that doesn't happen at a lot of PGA Tour events. That gives you a good feeling about the things you're doing, a big plus."

Palmer is hard-pressed to say that any single moment from 26 years stands out. He has a special appreciation for what Woods accomplished from 2000-03, winning four in a row. When Robert Gamez holed out with a seven-iron for an eagle on the 18th hole to beat Greg Norman in 1990, the tournament had itself a true highlight reel moment that Palmer counts among the most exciting he's ever witnessed in any tournament.

"It really doesn't get any better than that," Palmer mused.

Of course, what has made the Bay Hill Invitational most special to Palmer is the people he has met through the years, be it players, sponsors, or fans. Given his immense popularity throughout his career, that should be a surprise to no one.

"In the end, it's all about friendships, the relationships that you have with people whenever you're working towards creating and building something special," Palmer said. "You can't quantify how important that it, what it means, but it means a lot."

To purchase tickets to the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, log on to the tournament web site, www.bayhillinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill ticket office at 407-876-7774.

Contact:
Bev Norwood, IMG
216-522-1200