Golf Legend Arnold Palmer Passes Away At Age 87

Golf great Arnold Palmer passes away at age 87 and he may have left the biggest footprint on the history of the sport.

Arnold Palmer famously known as “The King” has passed away at the age of 87 according to Golf Digest. He was known as one of golf’s first true superstars and was instrumental in the growth of golf on TV.

He was also known for his unique swing and as one of the earliest golfers who effectively incorporated power into their swing. Palmer’s creativity was also pure, as, if it was windy, he’d hit the ball at a lower trajectory in order to beat the air.

Thanks to his wit and stellar all-around play, Palmer would go on to win seven major championships. One of those victories included an unforgettable 1960 U.S. Open victory over a very young Jack Nicklaus.

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His impact on the Masters is also widely known. He loved Augusta National, where he won the illustrious tournament four times during his career. He’s widely regarded as one of the two or three best to ever play in the Masters and it showed as every year, he Nicklaus and Gary Player took part in the ceremonial first tee shots, one of golf’s great traditions.

He also had an immense swagger about him, that most kids today wouldn’t think people would have back then. From the polos he wore, to his hairstyle and to his distinctive play, it was hard not to spot Palmer on the course and he was easy to root for.

But, his impact on the game goes beyond the golf course, as he made major contributions to the business world as well. He was the creator of Golf Channel which has reached televisions all around the world and helped give a platform to some of golf’s best media personalities.

His golf course design was also superb. He designed over 200 courses during his career as an architect and has owned the famed Bay Hill Club and Lodge which hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational each year.

Furthermore, he owned Latrobe Country Club in his hometown of Latrobe, PA. His father was a club professional and greenskeeper there, and helped fuel Palmer’s passion for the sport of golf.

Palmer was also a pilot, and would fly to different golf tournaments on his own. For 55 years, he flew in planes and spent 20,000 hours in the cockpit, until he finally called it quits in 2011.

Even long after his playing days, Palmer still had his distinctive swagger, creating the hit drink, the “Arnold Palmer”, an Arizona brand drink that combines sweet tea and lemonade. The drink became an instant classic with golf fans and the new generation of young men and women.

This legendary entrepreneurial mind of Palmer’s has helped him build a net worth of over $600 million. This makes him one of the greatest businessmen in sports history.

While still carrying this unique style, Palmer is also well known as one of the kindest and most respected people to ever play and/or endorse a sport. He also had a unique relationship with his fans, as he was known for receiving letters and sending personal notes back to the sender.

This simple, but powerful gesture is just one of the many reasons why people adored Arnold Palmer. In a world, where a ton of people of prominence have no time for fans, either because of attitude issues or a tough schedule, Palmer managed to make things work.

It seems to have carried over into the new generation of golfers as well. Players such as Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth always seem to have time for fans.

This is something Palmer would certainly approve of. And there’s no doubt he’s smiling down on the game of golf right now.

As awesome as Jack Nicklaus was, as great as Tiger Woods and other amazing players have been for golf, nobody left a bigger impact on the game than Arnold Palmer. On and off the course, Palmer was ahead of the game and his charismatic nature stood the test of time.

Rarely, can an athlete say they’ve touched people on and off the of the field of play. That’s what Palmer did, and he did in many different ways.

The golf world, may have just lost its greatest icon and it’s a life that should forever be celebrated in this wondrous sport. May he rest in peace, and tee it up high and let if fly in the heavens because even on the darkest of nights, the sun always shined on Arnie’s side.

And his iconic thumb raising pose to fans? It simply can’t be touched.

Next: Rory McIlroy Wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup

Palmer recorded 62 wins on the PGA Tour including seven major championships. This includes four Masters championships, one U.S. Open and two Open Championships. He also had three runner-ups in the PGA Championship.

What memories do you have of the great Arnold Palmer? Tell us your stories in the comments section.

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Golfing Icon Arnold Palmer Passes Away At 87

By Colin Mieczkowski | Sep 26, 2016

Golf great Arnold Palmer passes away at age 87 and he may have left the biggest footprint on the history of the sport.