New book shares tales of two legends

Charles Mechem Jr. has threaded together amazing stories from memories of the time he spent with both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and presents them in the style of a fireside chat that’s sure to draw in any golf fan.

Every year, more and more golf books are published. It can be hard to pick the books to read, especially when you’re trying to choose between biographies, histories, fiction, or player improvement options. While a lot has been made about Alan Shipnuck’s unauthorized biography on Phil Mickelson, a new book by Charles Meechum is one that shouldn’t be missed.

Mechem has had a varied and interesting career that didn’t start in the golf industry, but definitely led to it. After practicing law in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Mechem spent three years in the United States Army before serving as CEO of the Taft Broadcasting Company before being appointed Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1990. He kept that position for five years.

“The day I accepted that position, I said I’d run the LPGA for five years,” said Mechem, “I was 60-years-old and I still had a lot of things I wanted to do. We had a good run. If I hadn’t said I was going to leave after five years, I might have stayed a little longer.

With that experience, Mechem could probably write a book of stories about his time with the top female players in the world. However, his newest book - Arnie and Jack - focuses on his friendship with two of golf’s absolute legends: the late Arnold Palmer and the great Jack Nicklaus.

Mechem acted as personal business advisor to both Palmer and Nicklaus. More importantly, he was friends with both men.

“I’ve been blessed, really blessed and those friendships came about in totally different ways,” said Mechem. “I met Jack back in 1970 and we’ve been good friends ever since. Arnie I met when I was the LPGA Commissioner and we were very close for 25 or 30 years until he passed away. It’s no exaggeration to say that I’ve never known any two men I respected or cared more for.”

Mechem’s book is a great read, full of stories that no one else has written before about either Palmer or Nicklaus. The book has a conversational style that’s easy to follow and really leaves you wishing there were more stories to enjoy. Mechem said that’s the only way he knows how to write.

Like any author, Mechem (above) has some stories that are really special to him. When asked for a couple of his favorites, he said it was simply too hard. He did offer up one teaser that showed the difference between the two men.

“Back when I was sharing an office with Arnie at Bay Hill - which I did for about 10 years - I told him I was gonna see Jack the next day. He said to tell him Arnie said hello. When I got to Jack’s office, I relayed that message and he asked if Arnie really played golf every day, which I said he did. He just shook his head and asked me to give Arnie his regards. When I got back to Bay Hill, Arnie asked if Jack was playing much golf and I told him he wasn’t. He just laughed and asked what the hell he did all day. To me, that was really the difference between the two. Arnie was no longer competitive but he loved to play, but Jack wanted to win and he didn’t enjoy it as much when he wasn’t as competitive.”

Arnie and Jack is full of stories that give readers a glimpse into the lives of both golf legends. More importantly, though, you get it all through the eyes of someone who was a true friend to both men and was able to see them through good times and bad.

“I’m really happy with the way the book turned out,” added Mechem. “I miss Arnie every day, but I’m so happy I still talk with Jack. I’m happy I have such a good memory and writing this book brought back a lot of great feelings.”

Arnie and Jack is being published by Mission Point Press and includes forewords by Jack Nicklaus and Doc Giffin, Arnold Palmer’s personal assistant for 50 years. It is 152 pages and is available in e-book and print versions at Amazon.