Nick Carlson receives congratulatory letter from Arnold Palmer

Michigan golfer Nick Carlson was the delayed recipient of a special memento last week -- a letter from legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.

Carlson said he was amazed to receive the three-paragraph note congratulating him for being a semifinalist in the U.S. Amateur in August at Oakland Hills Country Club.

"Utter shock, really," Carlson told The Detroit News on Thursday. "Like, I never expected it. It's just something really cool and almost a priceless moment, in my opinion."

Palmer sent the letter Sept. 8, a few weeks before he died Sept. 25 at the age of 87. Carlson finally received it Oct. 7 and posted a photo of it on Twitter.

"Keep up the good playing," Palmer wrote. "I wish you the very best in whatever pursuit you choose to follow in the future."

The sophomore said he hadn't been back to the golf course where he works to get the note from the seven-time major champion. He told the newspaper that he has since framed the letter.

"I've never been able to say that I knew Mr. Palmer or met him in any fashion, and to get that 10 days [after his death] was pretty special," Carlson said.

Carlson, 20, made an unlikely run to reach the U.S. Amateur semifinals in his home state, entering the event ranked No. 1,981 in the world amateur rankings.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.