LATROBE, PA./RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C., July 27, 2010 – Officials of a joint venture that includes Palmer Hospitality, L.P, owned by golfing legend Arnold Palmer, Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation's top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, and Keith H. McGraw, a Sewickley, Pa.-based Concord partner, today announced plans to build a 109-suite Springhill Suites by Marriott hotel in Latrobe, Pa. Located near the intersection of Route 30 and Route 981, the four-story hotel will be directly across from one of the area's largest employers, Kennarnetal Inc., and in close proximity to Latrobe Country Club, Palmer's home course.

"I've wanted to build a hotel for some time to complement the country club, working with the right kind of developer and operator," Palmer said. "I found both with Concord. We share the same philosophy and outlook in terms of guest care and attention to detail." Palmer's remarkable golfing career will inspire the hotel's design and will showcase a number of his awards and memorabilia. The hotel will be a LEED-certified prototype that was pioneered by Concord in conjunction with Marriott. Construction is expected to begin in December, with the hotel slated to open towards the end of 2011.

From now until the end of October, enter a bid at arnieskingdom.com and you could win a stay in Orlando and meet the man himself.

The upscale golf outing and dinner will be hosted at Mr. Palmer's summer home course Latrobe Country Club.

The event is the second Western PA Premiere. The first in 2009 was at Sewickley Heights CC in Pittsburgh and it honored Pittsburgh TV news anchor Peggy Finnegan and the area's most famous and successful woman amateur golfer Carol Semple Thompson.

The 2010 event is expected to raise more than the $130,000 made in 2009.

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to world famous golf professional Arnold Palmer. The Arnold Palmer Gold Medal Act, H.R. 1243, officially recognizes Palmer for his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf. The legislation first passed the House of Representatives this past April, and was unanimously passed by the Senate earlier today.

The milestone birthday will be ushered in with a week long celebration beginning in Orlando and then heading to his native state of Pennsylvania.

Arnold Palmer will be celebrating his 80th birthday on September 10, 2009. To honor the occasion, the USGA Museum has launched an online Arnold Palmer Memory Book. The purpose of the Web site is to collect personal stories and memories of Arnold, and allow the public to view other fans’ appreciation of him. Fans can submit their reflections about Arnold in the form of words, images or video.