Today's anecdote: First time I met Arnold Palmer was at Bay Hill in '94 working on 'A Good Walk Spoiled.' Had asked Doc Giffin, his right hand man, if I could talk to him that week. Doc said, 'Can you go to his house for breakfast Sunday?' Yeah, I think I can make it.

Only thing was, I was supposed to see Krzyzewski that morning in Tampa--they were playing 2nd rd. NCAA Tournament game late and I needed an early column for first edition. I called K and said, 'I have to cancel, I'm going to see Arnold Palmer.' He said something about golf

not being a real sport. When we walked in, Doc said, "John cancelled a breakfast w/Mike Krzyzewski to be here." Palmer looked at me and said, 'Kachoo-who?' Figuring he wasn't a hoops fan I said, 'oh, he's the Duke basketball coach.' Palmer grinned. 'Oh yeah, Duke, the guys...

..who' butt we've been kicking the last couple years." (This was when Tim Duncan was at Wake) He was cracking up. Totally got me--and charmed me, all at once. The next three hours were amazing.