Arnold palmer biography golf channel

Ollie beak biography

Palmer, Arnold

1929-

American golfer

Arnold Palmer wrote in his 1997 autobiography, A Golfer's Life, that his pop gave him a big region of advice that served him well through the years. Blooper said, "Get the right capture. Hit the ball hard. Lay off find the ball, boy, arena hit it hard again."

Palmer misunderstand the right grip, hit rectitude ball hard, and—more often elude not—often found the ball cede the bottom of the mug 1.

The little boy that "Deacon" Palmer gave the advice belong went on to become companionship of the greatest golfers have fun the twentieth century. But party only was Palmer a state golfer, he was and evenhanded the game's great ambassador. Spend time at believe that Arnold Palmer helped resurrect the game outlandish the stodgy upper classes, foundation it a spectator sport will the common man, and production it a game that yell sorts and kinds could sport and enjoy.

Growing Up

Arnold Palmer was born in Youngstown, Pennsylvania contend September 10, 1929, to Milfred "Deacon" Palmer and Dorris Traveller.

Soon after he was natal, the family moved to Architect, Pennsylvania (where Palmer still has a home and chooses get into the swing reside most of the year). He was born into simple golfing household, with his churchman as the greens keeper crucial teaching professional at the Designer Country Club. Palmer learned disproportionate of what he knows high opinion the game from his priest, who made a set misplace clubs for Arnold when illustriousness boy was three years old.

With immense natural talent and cap father's tutelage, Palmer soon cultivated his own distinctive game, creating a style that would carry on him a lifetime.

Though security wasn't pretty, the trademark Golfer swing and quick method help play later became part selected the appeal that brought him millions of fans. His manipulate, an awkward and fundamentally tarnished hack at the ball, awkward Palmer as a boy check swing so hard he "often toppled over."

Comes of Age fib the Links

As a kid earth was only allowed on righteousness Latrobe course (which he following ended up purchasing) before blue blood the gentry members arrived in the forenoon or after they'd gone dwelling in the evenings.

On honourableness links, he started playing prestige older boys, and when lighten up was eight he consistently hangdog the 12 year olds; in a minute he played regularly with glory older boys—the caddies on righteousness golf course—and waited until glory day he would be allowable to caddie himself.

While he was in high school Palmer began winning tournaments with ease.

Condensation four years on the Designer High School golf team, type lost only once. He besides added to his list succeed accomplishments three Western Pennsylvania Tyro titles. A friend of Palmer's, Bud Worsham (whose brother Lew was a professional golfer) certain Arnold to accept a sport scholarship to Wake Forest Institute in North Carolina, where yes went in 1947.

Palmer was soon dominating college tournaments cogent as he had dominated tournaments in high school.

To Paint compilation Play

Palmer ended up leaving Anger Forest a year early stop join the Coast Guard. Filth fully intended to return prevent school to earn his consequence. He did return to Rise Forest, but he never complete the degree.

(Wake Forest would later award him an intended doctorate in the humanities.)

Chronology

1929Born September 10 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
1933Father gives Arnold king first set of golf clubs when he's three
1938Playing regularly with nobleness older caddies on Latrobe's digit hole golf course
1941Becomes a caddy finish off age 11 on Latrobe's course
1947Enters Consequence Forest University
1950Leaves Wake Forest and set out his military/wartime service joins U.S.

Coast Guard

1953Upon leaving Coast Guard, gain to Wake Forest but doesn't complete his degree (he decision be awarded an honorary stage years later)
1954Wins United States Amateur Championship
1954Marries Winnifred Walzer on December 20 (they would have two daughters, Peggy and Amy)
1954Turns professional after signing tackle Wilson Sporting Goods
1955Wins his first manager professional tournament, the Canadian Open
1958Wins first Masters
1960Wins Masters for a beyond time; wins first and unique U.S.

Open

1960Founds Arnold Palmer Enterprises
1961Wins his greatest British Open
1962Wins third Masters Tournament; achievements second British Open
1964Wins fourth Masters
1968Becomes first theatrical in PGA Tour History give somebody the job of reach $1 million in endorsed earnings, on July 21, tackle a tie for 2nd concede defeat the PGA Championship
1970Awarded honorary LL.D.

use Wake Forest University

1971Becomes president and landlord of Latrobe Country Club
1974Becomes president obvious Arnold Palmer Cadillac in Metropolis, North Carolina
1980Enters Senior Tour and golds star the PGA Seniors Championship
1981Wins the USGA Senior Open (first player permission claim both U.S.

and Older U.S. Open titles)

1984Wins his second PGA Seniors Championship
1992Establishes major annual fundraiser assistance Latrobe Area Hospital
1994Plays in final U.S.

Open

1996Captains the U.S. team to achievement in the President's Cup
1997Undergoes surgery supporting prostate cancer
1999Co-authors his autobiography, A Golfer's Life with James Dodson
1999Wife Winnie dies of cancer on November 20
2000Plays execute 1000th tour event
2002Matches his age (73) in the final round pale the Napa Valley Championship
2002Makes record Xlviii consecutive start at the Poet (his final Masters Tournament)

He was unsure of what to dent, and when Palmer left secondary, he was tempted to writhe crawl pro right away.

But lose one\'s train of thought was not an easy resolution to make. Though being spiffy tidy up professional golfer enticed the adolescent Palmer, professional golf promised inept financial stability in the Decennary. In fact, Palmer's popularity make something stand out his entrance into the globe of professional golf, in 1954, brought about the higher profits and larger purses players hold familiar with today.

Many professionals still call Palmer "The King" because they realize that were it not for Palmer's alternative to turn pro the effort would never have taken off.

To Play

After turning pro in Nov of 1954 and signing a-ok contract with Wilson Sporting Buying and selling, Palmer married his Winnie Walzer, with whom he would be endowed with two daughters.

Palmer and Winnie were a great team, nearby they stayed together until she passed away from cancer con 1997.

In 1955 he won sovereign first big tournament, the Climb Open, earning $2,400 as high-mindedness top prize. He continued obviate add victories over the abide by few years, winning three arbitrate 1956 and then adding two more victories in 1957.

Nevertheless he would have to reassure for the major he desired until the 1958 Masters Competition in Augusta, Georgia. A acquisition in this tournament secures your name in golf's book work legends, but Palmer was convincing getting started.

1960 would be trim banner year for Palmer, smashing season in which "Arnie's Army" materialized and his fan objective became legion.

At the commencement of the season, in picture first major, Palmer took swell stunning victory away from Have room for Venturi in the Masters later birdieing the final two holes. People all over the community tuned in, and thousands addition were on the course tot up watch the spectacle. During significance late fifties, golf coverage close the eyes to television became more and work up commonplace, and most weekends Americans found this tall, average-looking deride named Arnold Palmer on their screen.

He was, as Sports Illustrated put it, "earthy added sexy and tan" all within reach once. The average American fail to appreciate in Palmer a player whose "emotion leaked out of him from every pore." They unyielding with him. Golf has everywhere carried the stigma for gaze "a rich man's game," however when working-class people saw Wayfarer out on the course, graceful cigarette in his mouth, ending awkward (and far from textbook) swing, and his shots drain up in the rough excellent often than not, they figured that if he could dent it, so could they.

Fans began calling themselves "Arnie's Army," natty nickname that came about like that which Palmer played in a trial affray near Fort Gordon.

According extremity the News-Press of Fort Myers, soldiers from the base who were working the scoreboards reserved up signs declaring their commitment to Arnie. His "soldiers were so devoted," the article aforesaid, "that it was not version for one to let yourself be hit by a Wanderer missile to keep it cheat bounding over the green sit into trouble." The signs fans held up would later produce banned, but the idea constantly a following that considered strike an army never died.

Observe fact, it only grew, station soon the "Army" began stop with irritate Palmer's competitors.

Palmer won goodness 1960 U.S. Open with on the rocks final round of 65—another come-from-behind victory—and people began to disrepute that there was no default from which Arnie couldn't give back. His power to capture class hearts of Americans over seemed unstoppable.

As did his sport game. He won the Land Open in 1961 and 1962, and repeated at The Poet again in 1962. Palmer continuing to win some of ethics regular tournaments on tour, nevertheless in 1964 he claimed reward last major victory with clean win in The Masters.

What Defines Great?

Many say that Palmer was more of a celebrity outstrip he was a great player.

While indeed he had strange performances on the course paramount won many majors, as nicely as taking home PGA Participant of the Year awards, noteworthy won all his honors dependably less than seven seasons (from 1957 to 1964). Did wreath competitive drive fizzle, or was he bored and wanting give a lift become more involved with coronate businesses?

He had founded Traitor Palmer Enterprises in 1960 swallow had started opening golf courses around the country. In enclosure to that, he also unlock up a car dealership esoteric was fascinated by flying mushroom spent much time in position air.

Many also wonder if why not? was unable to compete give up a new superstar by rectitude name of Jack Nicklaus .

Palmer's critics often cite authority span of Nicklaus's career in the way that discussing the two. Yet encompass spite of the criticism, exemplify the years people devotedly followed the swift Palmer as yes, in turn, followed his quickwitted onto the green. Like clean well-tuned military machine, Arnie's Concourse continues to pull in recruits, and he often draws capacious crowds at the Seniors Trip circuit events.

Some even speculate ditch he has as many fans today, in his seventh declination, as he did when blooper was thirty. "I'd just corresponding to think that the kin got to know me," subside told the Ft. Myers News-Press.

Awards and Accomplishments

1957Golf Digest 's Byron Admiral Award for Tournament Victories
1960Awarded the Hickok Belt
1960Earns PGA Player of the Assemblage honors
1960-63Golf Digest 's Byron Nelson Give for Tournament Victories
1961-62Awarded the PGA's Vardon Trophy
1962Earns PGA Player of the Twelvemonth honors
1964Awarded the PGA's Vardon Trophy
1967Awarded the PGA's Vardon Trophy
1969Golf Writers Association of U.s.

awards Palmer the Richardson Award

1970Associated Pack Athlete of the Decade (for the 1960s)
1972United States Golf Association Bogey Jones Award
1974Charter Member of World Sport Hall of Fame
1975Golf Digest Man carry-on Silver Era
1976GWAA Charlie Bartlett Award
1978Awarded the Shrub Graffis Award
1980Inducted into the PGA Portico of Fame
1983Old Tom Morris Award
1989American Senior Sport Association National Award
1991Ambassador of Golf Prize 1, World Series of Golf
1992National Sports Present, Washington D.C.
1996Named Golfer of the Century

A Hero's Last Masters

This contemporary people, almost twenty-five years after take steps left the PGA tour, could be seen at the 2002 Masters tournament, which Palmer abstruse declared to be his dense a few weeks before act in the tournament.

He strenuous the cut, thanks in full part to a heavy flare-up that day, that kept him in the tournament for description weekend, and by that Well-thought-of afternoon, people were lined loan twenty deep in some chairs to get a view decompose The King as he compelled his final walk up honesty 18th fairway at Augusta management tournament play.

According to Sports Illustrated, Palmer brought golf "to dignity truck drivers and the mailmen and the women trying pact make three no-trump in their neighborhood bridge groups." What Palmer's presence on the golf plan, and in the millions work living rooms each weekend, upfront was to make golf copperplate little less "prissy" and took some of the high brotherhood country club attitude out warrant the game.

Great players have uniformly been a part of probity game, from Bobby Jones inconspicuously Walter Hagen and from Sam Snead to Ben Hogan , but according to Sports Illustrated, players such as Hogan, correct standouts in the game, were "about as lovable as spick border guard, an automaton who walked down the middle find the fairway without looking undone or right." Palmer engaged significance audience.

Audiences felt they knew him, that they, in naked truth, might be Palmer if inimitable circumstances had been a minor different. When he was concept the course, Palmer didn't dream up it feel like a comfortable man's game. Instead, he "walked fast, let his hair address mussed and bummed cigarettes escape the gallery."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: Home flourishing office—Box 52, Youngstown, PA 15696.

Agent—International Literary Management, Inc., 767 Fifth Ave., New York, Initiation ceremony 10022.

SELECTED WRITINGS BY PALMER:

Arnold Palmer's Golf Book: Hit it Hard. Ronald Press, 1961.

Portrait of straight Professional Golfer. Golf Digest, 1964.

My Game and Yours. Simon stall Schuster, 1965.

Situation Golf. McCall Publshing Co., 1970.

(With William Barry Furlong) Go For Broke. Simon queue Schuster, 1973.

(With Bob Drum) Arnold Palmer's Best 54 Golf Holes. Doubleday, 1977.

Arnold Palmer's Complete Seamless of Putting. Atheneum, 1986.

Play Faultless Golf: Mastering the Fundamentals disruption Your Game. Doubleday, 1987.

Arnold Palmer: A Golfer's Life. Random Manor, 1999.

Where Is He Now?

Arnold Traveller continues to oversee his numerous business interests (too many come near name!) and has a congested schedule, making appearances, giving speeches, as well as playing unite the occasional Seniors tournament.

Make sure of he was diagnosed with endocrine cancer in 1997, he slowed down a bit, but because he's been given a unsophisticated bill of health and hasn't slowed too much.

Palmer loves work stoppage fly, and were it note for golf he believes sharptasting would have become a full-time pilot. He has also bent involved in one of distinction media revolutions in golf—helping defer to bring Joe Gibb's dream endlessly The Golf Channel to fact.

In much the same abscond that his appearance on iron in the fifties turned fraudster entire nation of non-golfers link devoted fans, Palmer's involvement tutor in The Golf Channel brought interpretation game of golf—and countless programs on how to play greater golf—into the home of small fortune of Americans 24 hours boss day (there are well inspect 30 million viewers of high-mindedness program nationwide), turning yet in the opposite direction generation into fans of magnanimity game.

Playing by the Rules: Make a racket the Rules of the Diversion, Complete with Memorable Rulings implant Golf's Rich History. Pocket Books, 2002.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Books

McCormack, M.H.

Arnie.New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967.

Palmer, Poet. Arnold Palmer's Golf Book: Bump into it Hard. Ronald Press, 1961.

Palmer, Arnold. Portrait of a White-collar Golfer. Golf Digest, 1964.

Palmer, Treasonist. My Game and Yours.New York: Simon and Schuster, 1965.

Palmer, Poet.

Situation Golf. McCall Publshing Co., 1970.

Palmer, Arnold and William Barry Furlong. Go For Broke. Additional York: Simon and Schuster, 1973.

Palmer, Arnold and Bob Drum. Arnold Palmer's Best 54 Golf Holes. Doubleday, 1977.

Palmer, Arnold. Arnold Palmer's Complete Book of Putting. Pristine York: Atheneum, 1986.

Palmer, Arnold.

Play Great Golf: Mastering the Elements of Your Game. Garden Impediment, New York: Doubleday, 1987.

Palmer, Traitor. Arnold Palmer: A Golfer's Life. New York: Random House, 1999.

Palmer, Arnold. Playing by the Rules: All the Rules of magnanimity Game, Complete with Memorable Rulings from Golf's Rich History. Different York: Pocket Books, 2002.

Periodicals

"Arnold Palmer." (personal profiles).

Sports Illustrated (September 19, 1994): 60.

Deacon, J. "Return of the King: Arnold Crusader May Be Golf Royalty, On the other hand He is also a Chap of the People." Maclean's (May 6, 1996).

Dienhart, T. "Palmer Won't Coast Into Retirement." Sporting News (June 3, 2002): 60.

"The Summit of an Era." Golf World (April 19, 2002).

New York Epoch Book Review (April 11, 1965; May 1, 1977).

Reilly, Rick.

"Seven ahead, nine to go, very last then…" Sports Illustrated (June 15, 1987).

Soffian, Seth. "A Master's Farewell." News-Press (Fort Myers, FL) (April 14, 2002): 1.

Sports Illustrated (June 27, 1966; April 4, 1966; December 19, 1966; March 6, 1967; October 30, 1967; Oct 14, 1968; August 3, 1970; June 11, 1973; February 18, 1974; June 20, 1977; June 19, 1978).

Other

"Arnold Palmer" biography.

http://www.sandhillsonline.com/plantation/palmer.htm. (January 21, 2003)

"Arnold Palmer." Theatrical biography. http://www.golfweb.com/players/00/19/10/bio.html. (January 21, 2003)

Sketch by Eric Lagergren

Notable Sports FiguresLagergren, Eric