The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer

d Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking ofIt's said that after Palmer once played a round with
golf, but he could have been describing his own lifeFrank Sinatra – the famed singer rumored to
when he said, "Success in golf depends less onhave been involved with the Italian Mafia –
strength of body than upon strength of mind andSinatra asked him, "How do you like my game?"
character." His sense of fairness, kindness towardPalmer responded with a straight face, "I prefer golf."
everyone, and dry sense of humor have made himPalmer even got along with members of the media,
one of the most popular golfers to ever play thelaughing at the statement made by one television
game. And he was pretty darned good at the game,commentator who noted during a live broadcast that
too!Palmer "seems to be having trouble with his long putt.
As a world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer won aHowever he has no trouble dropping his shorts." That
majority of his 92 championships on the U.S. PGA tour.same kindness, understanding and sense of fairness
The only "major" he never won was the PGAhave carried through his life and led to the unofficial
Championship, although he finished second in three ofcreation of Arnie's Army, a dedicated group of fans
them. Probably most noted for being the first pro tothat has numbered in the thousands.
win four Masters Tournaments, it's not surprising to findThe honor and unceasing dedication those fans offer
that he started playing golf at the ripe old age of four.Palmer is well-warranted. His philanthropic efforts, while
He worked hard at developing his golf gamenever highly publicized, have earned him recognition
throughout most of his life, and it shows with some ofwith those who count – the people who know
the prestigious awards he's won including: the 1960him. For two decades, Palmer served as honorary
Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year, the 1960national chairman of the March of Dimes Birth Defects
Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and evenFoundation and has played major roles in fund-raising
Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s in a nationaldrives for hospitals in both Orlando, Florida, and
Associated Press poll. The awards culminated in 2004Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the town in which he was born.
when President Bush awarded him the PresidentialNow in semi-permanent retirement, Palmer splits his
Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.time between Latrobe and La Quinta, California. He
His professional career began in 1954, just a fewhas numerous business interests around the world and
months after he won the U.S. Amateur Championship.still keeps his hand in his first passion, golf, serving as a
The leading money winner in three of the four yearsconsultant to The Golf Channel, designing golf courses
spanning his biggest period from 1960 to 1963, Palmeraround the country, and owning several golf courses,
twice represented the U.S. in the international Ryderincluding being part owner of the renowned Pebble
Cup Match.Beach course in California.
But Palmer never let all that prestige and status go toFamed golf pro, down-to-earth father and family man,
his head. He unfailingly maintained a dry and subtlequiet philanthropist – all can be used to describe
sense of humor. After succumbing to bad luck on theArnold Palmer. His life in golf has mirrored his life in
18th hole at the Rancho Park L.A. Open in 1961, ageneral. Speaking of golf, he once noted, "I've always
newsman asked how he had managed to make 12 onmade a total effort, even when the odds seemed
the par 5 hole. His reply: "I missed my putt for an 11."entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I
Rancho Park became his home golf course for manydidn't have a chance to win." It seems, however, that it
years. The 20th Century Fox Studios were righthas been those who know him that have been the
across the street, and many times you'd findreal winners in this game.
Hollywood stars mixing with the regular golfing crowd.