This Day in Golf--Aug. 30

Two days ago, the crowning achievement in Arnold Palmer's amateur career was noted with his victory in the 1954 U.S. Amateur. On today's date, we make note of his entry into the U.S. Amateur as a competitor. Arnie, a couple weeks shy of 19, played in his first U.S. Amateur match on Aug. 30, 1948, at Memphis Country Club. In Round 1, Palmer played William K. Barrett Jr., of Colonial, Tenn., and lost 6 and 5. But the loss had a feel-good element in that Barrett went fairly deep into the tournament, losing to eventual runner-up Raymond Billows in Round 5.