FORT WORTH, Texas _ Through three rounds at the first Dean & DeLuca Invitational since Arnold Palmer's death in September 2016, it's still hard to imagine golf without one of its most beloved figures.
There is a reminder, though, both somber and bright, hanging from a wing of Colonial's clubhouse facing the 16th green.
Arnie's signature multicolored umbrella greets golfers and spectators wandering around the southwest end of the course on top of a black backdrop.
"We were looking for something to put up there. Should it be a past champion or a big blown-up photo of the Leonard Trophy?" said Michael Tothe, Dean & DeLuca tournament director. "And we had just put up the smaller umbrella next to Mr. Palmer's name on the Wall of Champions, so I thought, why not a huge umbrella?"
As the story goes, Palmer and his newly-created company, Arnold Palmer Enterprises, were having trouble deciding the corporate logo. Arnold left the corporate meeting to get away from the frustration. Just as it started to rain outside, he crossed paths with a lovely woman carrying a bright, multicolored umbrella.
He rushed back into the meeting room with the idea that stuck and eventually became as synonymous with the man as his combination of iced tea and lemonade.
This year's tournament also marks 55 years since Palmer's 1962 win at what was then the Colonial Invitational.
Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders, shot a 67 in Saturday's third round to position himself in a tie for 15th heading into the final round of the Dean & DeLuca.
