Arnold Palmer, the ‘King of Golf’, passed away Sunday afternoon at the UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh at age 87, and has left not only the golf community, but sports fans everywhere, in a state of mourning. This mourning quickly turns to positive reminiscing, however, as Palmer is remembered as truly the greatest golfer to ever play the game and one of the most charismatic men to ever compete in the PGA. Whether it is due to his 7 Major Championship wins, his 62 wins on the U.S Tour, or his highly esteemed character that resonated throughout the course every time he played, his timeless legacy will be carried on for generations.
When looking back on Palmer’s career, it is unquestionable to note his successes on the course, but his golf legacy is always accompanied by his legacy of being one of the greatest and compelling men to play the sport. He was known to be quick to offer advice to fellow players, even while competing, and after his time on the course, he continued to assist those around him with their personal lives, their businesses, and, of course, in perfecting their swing. Palmer was extremely philanthropic as well, as he gave countless charitable donations during his life, started a scholarship at Wake Forest University, and in 2006, he opened the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in honor of his wife who passed away in 1999.
Jack Nicklaus, a man whose name is surely brought up when talking about the legends of the game, remembers his old friend as someone who changed his own life as well as the game of golf." I sort of felt part of my life went with it, which it did,” Nicklaus said. “He was such a good competitor, good friend, and so great for the game of golf. He did so much for all of us.” Nicklaus went on to say how even though they were competitors, they grew to become great friends who were always there for each other, even as they separately grew to become two of the game’s greatest icons.
It is without question that anyone who wins as many as 7 Majors and 62 total Tour wins is one of the greatest to play the game, but a few of Palmer’s wins stand out above the rest. His comeback round at Cherry Hills in the 1960 US Open, one of his most renown rounds of golf, quickly set him apart from others as he came back from a 7 stroke deficit to beat the rising Jack Nicklaus and legend Ben Hogan. Leading into the final round, Palmer was eating lunch with a few reporters who told him that Hogan would surely win the round, which did nothing but start a fire in him that led him to hit one of the greatest tee shots in history, followed by a birdie on the hole to win the round. This eventually went on to be known as one of golf’s greatest comebacks. This finish led him to be given the title as the ‘King’, but many other memorable rounds follow the Palmer name as well.
In 1955, he captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Canadian Open where he happened to set a record that was held for many years as the lowest score in Open history, with a -23 finish. In 1964, he took home is 4th Masters win, and his 7th Major win at Augusta National which made him the first player to win at Augusta four times, thanks to four of the greatest rounds of golf ever played. Palmer also had historical rounds when he won The Masters in 1958, 1960, and 1962, as well as when he won the British Open in 1961 and 1962. These rounds, and many more of alike, set Palmer apart as not only a great player, but a legend on the course every time he played.
The ‘King’ of golf left a legacy that truly changed the game forever in a myriad of ways. He was an icon, a winner, and one of the greatest men to ever walk 18 holes. His nickname as the ‘King’ is incredibly deserved as he shaped and molded the game many years ago, and his legacy will continue to be an inspiration and motivational drive for many who play the game for years on. Arnold Palmer will be greatly missed for years to come, but as his name lives on, not just in the sport of golf, but in all aspects of life, he will continue to have a positive and lasting impact on all who look into his legacy.
