Professional golfer, Bro. "Arnie" Palmer (left) with Bro. "Doc" Giffin, his "one-man army."

Popular professional golfer Arnold Palmer has the rousing support of the thousands who are "Arnie's Army" on the golf course, but he has a "one-man army" by the name of "Doc" Giffin as "the man behind the man."

On Oct. 21, Donald W. "Doc" Giffin was honored at the Tri-State annual Champions of Golf dinner as the 1999 Distinguished Service Award winner for his outstanding, lifelong contributions to the sport, adding his name to an honor roll that includes his close friend and employer, Arnold Palmer. The two have been involved with each other in the world of golf at some level for more than 40 years and both have been Masons for longer than that. "Doc" was made a Mason in Crafton Lodge No. 653, Ingram, in 1953; Arnie in Loyalhanna Lodge No. 275, Latrobe, in 1958.

In an in-depth story about the award, The Tribune-Review reported that "Doc" Giffin's renown "... goes beyond the boundaries of Western Pennsylvania. His name is a familiar one to media members across the United States and even throughout the world." His career was traced from being sports editor of The Pitt News, to the Pittsburgh Bureau of United Press International (UPI), to The Pittsburgh Press, then as press secretary for the PGA Tour, and to his current position for 30 years as Assistant to Arnold Palmer.

As Bro. Palmer's right hand, he's the stabilizing force in a very busy operation that reflects the energy and vitality of "the man." Asked about his job, Bro. Giffin is quoted in the newspaper: "I'm working for the greatest player of all time.... I met my wife here in Latrobe (Bernadette Horwat).... It's been a dream."

Also quoted in the news article, Bro. Palmer mixed in an appropriate golf reference to express his personal feelings, saying: "'Doc' has turned out to be a gem in the rough. He has taken on a great deal of responsibility in running the office and shouldering it over the last 30 years. He's been terrific and continues to be my confidant and friend."