Keeping it in the family
Having grandson caddie for him makes Palmer's day even more special
For the past couple of years, Sam Saunders has wanted to caddie for his famous grandfather, Arnold Palmer (Stats | Bio) , in the Masters Tournament.
This year, it was now or never. Palmer had announced that his record 50th appearance at Augusta National would be his last.
Sam didn't caddie in the past because his parents, Amy and Roy Saunders, didn't want the 16-year-old sophomore at Trinity Prep in Orlando, Fla., to miss a week's worth of school. They changed their mind this year, much to their son's delight.
"Since this was special, we decided to come up here and do it," Sam said.
So it was that Sam was by his grandfather's side for all 168 of his shots in the first two rounds of the 68th Masters. Palmer shot 84-84 and missed the cut by 20 shots.
"I'll never forget this," Sam said. "This was very special. I just loved it. It was one of the greatest times of my life."
Palmer is Sam's maternal grandfather; Amy Saunders, 45, is Palmer's youngest daughter.
"I think it was an absolute thrill for Sam," Sam's mother said. "Sam is so passionate about golf. To be able to be part of something not only because of his passion, but because of his grandfather, is somewhat indescribable. It's an honor. I think when you're out there and you hear the admiration of the people, I'm sure it was a pretty awesome feeling."
It was, Sam said.
"It's neat to see how much respect they have for him, and he appreciates it," Sam said.
The two have always had a strong bond, and golf is part of it. Sam won the men's club championship at the Palmer-owned Bay Hill Club and Lodge as a 15-year-old in 2002, and was ranked 24th in the nation among juniors last year. He played in the final round of the Bay Hill tournament in March as a noncompeting marker and shot 79.
"I think this was very special for Arnold," said Doc Giffin, Palmer's longtime personal assistant. "He loves this kid, he really does. He has high hopes for him."
"It was fun," Palmer said. "Sam's a good player, he's a great kid, and I enjoyed it. The fact that he's my grandson and he caddied for me made it even more exciting.
"I'll be like my (stern) father was to me and say, I've had better caddies, but I've never had one I thought more of," Palmer said.
"That's nice, but I'd like to know what I did wrong as a caddie," Sam said. "I do appreciate that he thinks a lot of me.
"If he wasn't my grandfather, I'm sure I wouldn't know him as well as I do," Sam said. "I'm sure I'd still think he's a great guy. He's the same way to me as he is to all the people out here.
"He can be a little harder on me sometimes, but it's good for me," Sam said. "He does it for a reason, and it works. It's about my golf and me as a person. He makes sure I stay in line and always keep my manners about me and respect others and never think I'm better than anybody else, because the truth is, I'm not. None of us are. We're all equal as people."
In addition to the huge ovation Palmer received Friday coming up the 18th fairway for the final time, Saunders said the highlights of the two rounds were twofold: the 7-iron shot Palmer hit to four feet on the par-3 12th hole Friday and the 45-foot par putt he made Thursday on the fifth hole.
Palmer was short of the par-4 fifth green in two shots. He putted his third shot up a hill, but it wasn't hard enough and rolled back almost to where Palmer and Sam were standing. Palmer made the next one.
"That was funny," Sam said. "He knows better to do what he did the first time; he was so mad. When he made the second putt, I was cracking up. That's some of the stuff he does that amazes me."
