March 12 -- This week golf celebrates perhaps the most popular player to ever tee it up. Arnold Palmer is more than a hero or icon of the game, to many, he is golf. And his home course is a great reflection of the strength, beauty, and competitive fire that drove his career. PGA Director of Golf at Bay Hill Golf Club, Brian Dorn, spoke with PGA.com's John Kim about working alongside The King, the greatness of Bay Hill, and the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational.

No matter who emerges as the winner each year, many feel this tournament is about celebrating Arnold Palmer. (Wireimage.com)

In all honesty, Arnold Palmer could host a golf tournament at a miniature golf facility and everyone would still clamor for an invitation. But it is fitting that the game's most endearing figure calls one of the game's great layouts home. It is an ultimate test of golf and a shrine to the game's most beloved personality. Nothing like setting a bar high for those responsible for making sure Bay Hill meets the astronomical expectations! But PGA Director of Golf Brian Dorn still feels excited about working for, and working with, a man who has defined the game for so many, and working on a course that is so special in a variety of ways.

PGA.com: First things first, you can't think Bay Hill without Arnold Palmer. Can you give us fans a sense of what it's like to spend time around "The King"? Do you see him as the guy who owns the course, or is he THE Arnold Palmer when he is around?

Dorn: He is always THE Arnold Palmer. As I have developed a familiarity with Mr. Palmer over the last 10 years, my initial feelings of awe have been replaced with respect. The things that I see him do on a daily basis support the notion that he is and will always be THE Arnold Palmer.

Arnold Palmer aside, Bay Hill is a great place to work, but I would bet that 90% of the employees of the club chose to work here because of his presence. He creates an excitement at the club felt by the staff, our members and guests, and tournament patrons. He spends most mornings in his office, and when his schedule allows, you can usually find him on the driving range or the 1st tee at Noon, playing with his friends in the Shootout, followed by a drink in the Locker Room. When he's around the club, whether he's dining, working, or practicing, he always has time and a smile for people who want to say hello.

PGA.com: How involved is he in golf course operations?

Dorn: Although he has less involvement in day-to-day operations as he once had, the buck still stops at his office. Mr. Palmer laid the foundation for the service levels he wants to see at the Club, and as long as we maintain or exceed those levels, he leaves us to do our jobs.

PGA.com: Do you feel any additional pressure considering the course represents Mr. Palmer for anyone who is able to come down and play? Or does that ever enter your train of thought?

Dorn: Every employee at Bay Hill is aware that they are representing Mr. Palmer and the product we deliver is a direct reflection on him, so the answer is yes, it does enter our train of thought. I don't feel this adds pressure, as that has negative connotations, but I do think it adds motivation for our staff.

PGA.com: You must have some good/outrageous requests from people who come by hoping to play the course or meet Mr. Palmer.

Dorn: Arnold Palmer is the most accommodating celebrity/sports hero you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, but you do have to draw the line somewhere. When we receive calls in the golf shop from people requesting a tee time with Mr. Palmer, and it does happen often, we have to say "no".

PGA.com: Brian, you can't separate Bay Hill from the presence of Mr. Palmer, but let's try anyways. As a golf course, what makes Bay Hill a good test for the best of the PGA TOUR?

Dorn: A 7100 yard par 70 course that demands precise approach shots should get anyone's attention. Add 4"-6" rough and you have a course that presents a challenge to the world's best players.

PGA.com: Okay, back to Mr. Palmer. Is the course a good reflection on Arnold Palmer's style of play? In his prime, would he have "owned" this course before he actually - owned this course?

Dorn: We have a number of holes that reflect Mr. Palmer's style of play, where one could benefit by taking risks. Several holes offer a reward for challenging the course off the tee (3, 6, 10, 11), and several more benefit the player by attacking the flags protected by water (6, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18). Aggressive play is Mr. Palmer's trademark, and Bay Hill is certainly a course that rewards the successful challenge.

PGA.com: Finally, there's been some talk about the conditions of the greens this week. Can you give us an update?

Dorn: We have had an issue with the condition of our greens, as have other courses in the area with the same greens surface. After consulting with the PGA Tour's agronomy staff, we overseeded our greens four weeks before the beginning of the event (for a second time this season) and they have responded well enough to provide a consistent putting surface for the players this week.