Arnold Palmer was honoured here last night through a concert in the Symphony Hall, where the noted composer, John Williams, conducted the Boston Pops orchestra for the occasion. And as a further accolade to the last player-captain in the Ryder Cup, in 1963, Williams chose the music.

"I'm not particularly good at golf but I do love the game," said Williams, who is now the so-called laureate conductor of the Boston Pops. He added: "I've always admired Palmer, particularly as a person of great character and appeal to the public. He's an icon, a marvellous figure."

During the course of the evening, former president George Bush made a presentation to Palmer who was serenaded by legendary crooner Tony Bennett, among others. Proceeds from the event were in aid of the Deacon Palmer Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Arnie's father who was the long time professional and greenkeeper at Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, a White House aide has announced that President Clinton will not be calling in on the Ryder Cup this weekend - "in case there are any illusions." Several US observers have pointed to the strong Republican presence at the event and noted that Clinton was snubbed by Tiger Woods after his US Masters win in 1997.

The excuse for Clinton's absence was a prior engagement with the Democratic National Committee and a previously unannounced medical check-up.