MERRY HILL — The sound of footsteps in Merry Hill on Friday was coming from an army – Arnie's Army.

Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer was on hand for the opening of his Signature Course at the Innsbrook Golf and Marine Community on Friday.

Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Arnold Palmer gives a thumbs-up Friday as he visits the Innsbrook Golf Course in Merry Hill.

For a while, though, it did not look as if Palmer would be able to play the course.

"It started out a little shaky this morning. We had a few storms and some rain rolled in," Innsbrook's Head Golf Professional Tim Dougherty said. "But right about when Mr. Palmer got here, the skies broke. I guess when you're a man of his caliber, the good Lord takes care of you."

Palmer's arrival was delayed by more than an hour by the stormy weather. But when he arrived, everyone was ready to see him play nine holes. After a tour of the course, Palmer teed off on No. 9, followed by holes 1 through 8. With a couple hundred people, Arnie led his Army through yet another round.

On No. 2, some folks closed in a bit too much for Palmer's drive, leading him to joke, "You do know why I don't play on tour now, don't you."

The answer to that could have been, "So you don't embarrass the Woods kid."

On the next hole — a par 3 — Palmer hit the tee shot to within 15 feet of the cup, then made the putt for birdie.

Palmer wowed the crowd with his play, but the fans also impressed him.

"There were a lot of people here," Palmer said. "They were very nice, and it was nice to see so many out here."

"He looks good, looks like he's feeling well," Dougherty said of the 78-year-old Palmer. "He made some great swings. He's a heck of a player and just a tremendous person. We're glad to have him involved with this golf course."

The course is one of more than 300 Palmer's design company has created in 37 states and several foreign countries. It is part of Innsbrook's 900-acre community, which is still a work in progress.

"Not a lot of developments on the east coast, when it's all said and done here, will be able to rival this," Dougherty said. "It's one-of-a-kind and very unique. I'm very fortunate to be a part of it."

Palmer was pleased by what he saw of the new course.

"I think it's great," Palmer said. "It's all of the things I thought it would be and maybe even more."