I just finished reading your June 25 column about Arnold Palmer and your visit with him at Latrobe. I must tell you, it was very good and brought a lump to my throat a couple of times.

Quite a few years ago -- don't remember exactly, perhaps back in the mid-'70s -- I attended the Ryder Cup matches in Latrobe and had the very good fortune to meet "The King." It was a very brief meeting but one I'll never forget.

I have met a few celebrities in my lifetime of 70 years, and none of them made such an impression on me. I saw Arnold playing in several tourneys in the years since the Ryder Cup of Latrobe, and I will always love him for being the great person and golfer that he was and is.

I recently bought a home in the Pinehurst area. My first time here was 1976, I think, for the World Open, when they dedicated the World Golf Hall of Fame. I was quite taken with the area then and hope to spend my remaining years here, playing a little golf occasionally.

Thanks for the column. I always enjoy your pieces -- this one was very special.

Robert Benner

West End