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Palmer opens course
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer, right, was given a portrait of himself Saturday at the grand opening of Balsam Mountain Preserve’s Palmer-designed 18-hole golf course. Making the presentation are Bob Kays, center, publisher of Builder/Architect Magazine, who commissioned the portrait, and artist Char Avrunin, left, of Waynesville. The par 70 course ranges in length from 6,750 yards (championship) to 5,070 yards (forward). “The unique combination of mountainous terrain, spectacular distant views of surrounding mountains and beautiful streams are what makes Balsam Mountain Preserve different from any other course I have designed,” said Palmer, whose company has had a hand in more than 300 golf courses. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Palmer won seven major championships, including the Masters four times. A graduate of Wake Forest, he received the Professional Golfers Association Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. – Herald photo by Cindy Turpin |
