I was deeply saddened to learn of Arnold’s passing. I met Arnold for the first time in New York City as our offices were located on the same floor. Our friendship began after discovering that we both had a mutual passion for golf. The times spent on the course with Arnold has become some of the most treasured memories of my life. I consider myself quite a golf nut, but Arnold was a far crazier golf nut than I could ever be—he was in a league by himself. And I admired him greatly for it.

Allow me to share a story that makes me remember Arnold with great fondness. I had a friend who lost his son in an accident and my wife and I were trying to cheer him and his wife up by introducing them to golf. I went to Arnold for his advice for an ideal golf course. Arnold without hesitation said, “Go to the Williamsburg Golden Horse Shoe Gold Course.” Arnold had a deep respect for Robert Trent Jones Sr. who designed this course, and he told me that this course had four of the most beautiful par 3 courses in America. He then added, “You must play the course on November 4th because that is the peak time to enjoy the autumn foliage.” He even told us exactly where to stay.

I followed Arnold’s instructions to the letter. The four of us arrived when the autumn foliage in early November was indeed at its peak—stunning. We ended up having the most awe-inspiring, breathtaking time out on the course. After our near-religious experience, the couple ended up taking up golf seriously and becoming our life-long golf buddies. I felt so deeply grateful for Arnold’s ability to make suggestions that had the power to change people’s lives through golf.

I left New York, and returned to Japan in 1993. I did, however, keep in touch with Arnold and visited him twice in the U.S. since then. I felt I owed a great deal to Arnold for all that he has taught me and shared with me, and so I wanted to express my gratitude and indebtedness and invited him to join me and my colleague for a golf tour in Florida. We had such fun together! My Japanese friend who accompanied me still talks about how that tour was one of his most enjoyable memories of his golf career.

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Arnold’s family. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I feel as though I have learned the true essence of golf from Arnold and feel so honored to have known such a wonderful, loving man.

Mike (Masanori) Deguchi
Obama City, Fu kui Prefecture, Japan