Golf lost their ‘King’ on September 25, 2016. The great Arnold Palmer will be remembered as arguably golf’s most important figure as he captivated audiences and helped popularize the game during the 1050-1960s. The King finished his storied career with the fifth most all-time PGA Tour victories (62) and seven major championships, good for seventh all-time. But, Arnold Palmer was more than the tournament victories and Majors as he was a beloved figure in golf because of his humble demeanor and light-hearted nature.
Before Palmer came around, golf was regarded as being a sport played only by the upper-class and elite. Arnie was an integral figure in changing that perception and making golf a more attractive and popular sport to anyone during golf’s television age. Palmer was a part of golf’s “Big Three,” along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. These three all-time great golfers helped commercialize the sport and their play helped popularize the game. It’s fair to say that golf would not be where it is today without Arnold Palmer.
As you would expect, Palmer was a member of the inaugural class into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. The King won 62 PGA Tour tournaments, including seven major championships. Arnie’s first Major victory came at the 1958 Masters Tournament, and that wouldn’t be the last time he would don the Green Jacket. Palmer became the first golfer to reach four Masters titles, also winning at Augusta National in 1960, 1962, and 1964. His other Major wins were at the 1960 U.S. Open and back-to-back British Open championships in 1961 and 1962.
Between 1960-1963 Arnie won 29 PGA Tour tournaments and five of his seven Majors and was named Sports Illustrated magazine’s ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in 1960. The golf icon continued gaining popularity during that time and had a following known as “Arnie’s Army.” Galleries flocked to the golf courses and fans began to tune in to watch Arnold Palmer battle the rising star Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Palmer’s impact on golf is unparalleled and he remained a prominent figure in the game, appearing at many major championships as an honoree along with Nicklaus and others.
Arnold Palmer was born September 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and had just celebrated his 87th birthday before his passing. Palmer always stayed close to his roots of Latrobe and grew up playing at Latrobe Country Club, where his father worked as head professional and groundskeeper. Palmer attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship before leaving for the United States Coast Guard. He would eventually return to school and, more importantly, to golf. He won the 1954 U.S. Amateur Championship and then elected to become professional. The rest is history for The King.
Arnold Palmer will be greatly missed in the golf community. Past and present golfers are already reacting to the saddening news of The King’s death. Arnold Palmer collectibles will become a hot commodity as news of his passing spreads, and fans looking to add autographed Arnold Palmer memorabilia should act now. What a life and career for Arnold Palmer, there may never be another like The King.
