Why did Arnold Palmer play at a Lehigh Valley golf course in 1963?

When Pleasant Valley golfer Lydon Patascher broke the course record with a 60 at Allentown Municipal on Thursday, people on the course took notice but there were no huge crowds lining the fairways or circling the greens.

That was not the case on Saturday, Aug. 10, 1963, when the previous record of 61 was set by all-time great Arnold Palmer (matched by Emmaus grad Kyle Wambold in 2017). Palmer’s round erased Dave Stegeman Jr.’s 66 as the course record, according to The Sunday Call-Chronicle.

The newspaper reported that 2,500 fans were on hand to witness an exhibition featuring Palmer and another golf legend, Gary Player.

The event was a part of a world tour sponsored by the YM-YMCA, with proceeds going toward its building fund, according to the newspaper.

The Call-Chronicle’s Coult Aubrey wrote:

“The skeleton remains, but the Monster is dead.

Bronzed and relaxed Arnold Palmer stripped the once-mighty, always-feared Allentown Municipal Golf Course and sprawling 7,000 yards to the bone yesterday, putting uncannily for a rash of birdies and eagles which resulted in an unbelievable 12-under-par 61.

Gary Player, the good-looking South African who termed the greens ‘the finest of any municipal course in the United States,’ turned in an excellent three-under-par, yet never was a challenge as Palmer put on the greatest putting show of his fabulous career.

The three-time Masters champion and all-time money winner used only 26 putts – a personal low – in treating a crowd of some 2,500 to an exhibition they won’t soon forget.”

Aubrey reported that Palmer had 10 one-putt greens and Player needed only 28 putts and had seven one-putt greens.

Aubrey also noted that it was Palmer’s second 61 of the week. He shot a 10-under 61 on the exhibition tour in Springfield, Missouri, the previous Sunday.

During a clinic before the Allentown match, Palmer and Player entertained the crowd with their skills – and some humor, Evening Chronicle Sports Editor Dave DeLong reported.

When Player was hitting, Palmer told the crowd, “He’s the best dressed player in the low class.”

When Palmer was taking swings, Player countered with, “He’s the worst dressed player in the high class.”

Player joked with the crowd that Palmer had a recent accident. “He fell off his wallet.”

The Palmer-Player exhibition was part of a big sports week in the summer of 1963 in the Lehigh Valley. On Aug. 16, the Steelers beat the Eagles 24-13 at Bethlehem’s Liberty Stadium with 14,000 fans in attendance.

Source: Berkshire mont