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Golf Legends Make Memories On Course And Off At 3M Championship

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Saturday marked a once in a lifetime experience for some of golfs biggest fans at The Players Club in Blaine, Minn.

Legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player made a rare appearance together at the 3M Championship.

"Awesome, just awesome. All three of em," Daniel Walvatne, of Dalton, said. "Three of the greatest."

They spent a half hour signing autographs for adoring fans, some of which had been waiting hours.

Now in their mid-seventies and mid-eighties, they spoke fondly about their friendship and joked about their age.

"We're trying to remember who each other are," Nicklaus said.

"We've got so many wonderful memories," Player said.  "And here we are at our age still playing in this wonderful game of golf. Still playing pretty well. And we've got so many wonderful memories of times we've had together, it's something we have got to cherish."

Player created quite a memory Saturday for Chris Davis, a student at Carroll University in Wisconsin.

"Being here and watching now is awesome. Special," Davis said.

Davis stood by Player on the driving range as he warmed up.

He says he was overweight in high school when he met Player, who encouraged him to take better care of himself.

He's lost 65 pounds since then.

"That boosted my grades. I'm on the Dean's list at my school, play college golf. It really brought more success in life when I started taking his advice," Davis said.

Player told us he's inspired by Davis and expects great things from him on the course, and in life.

"He's just a terrific young man, and now he's going to carry the torch," Player said.

Another highlight for Davis, he got a chance to meet and shake hands with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

The 3M Championship continues Sunday in Blaine and it's free to go and watch.

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