This Day in Golf History: January 12

On this date in 1997, Arnold Palmer took the next step to treating his prostate cancer. With a Carlsbad, California dateline, the Associated Press reported: “Arnold Palmer piloted his private plane to Minnesota [Sunday] and will enter the Mayo Clinic for tests to determine a course of treatment for prostate cancer. Palmer, 67, found out that a biopsy indicated he had cancer. He left the La Costa Resort and Spa [Friday], where he was attending the PGA Tour awards dinner at the Mercedes Championship and returned to his Florida home on Saturday. ‘His mood is good but he is subdued from his normal demeanor,’ Doc Giffin, Palmer's spokesman and longtime confidant, said yesterday from Latrobe, Pa….Giffin said Palmer, an avid pilot, was flying himself to the renowned clinic in Rochester, Minn., and assumed tests would begin today. Palmer was told of the biopsy report Friday.” Also on this date in 1969, Charlie Sifford won the Los Angeles Open to become the second African-American to win a PGA Tour event. He made a birdie on the first playoff hole versus Harold Henning.