Arnold Palmer is simply one of the greats of golf. His incredible popularity generated by Arnie's Army was something that the game had never seen before.
Hailing from Pennsylvania, Palmer's golfing career started through his father who was the Head Professional and Greenkeeper at Latrobe Country Club. Palmer quickly excelled at the game, earning a scholarship at Wake Forest before enlisting with the US Coast Guard between 1951 - 1954. He returned to college after his term and continued his competitive golf career, winning the US Amateur in August 1954 at Detroit Country Club which led to his decision to turn pro that November.
His career started quickly with a win in the Canadian Open in 1955. It wasn't a long wait before the charismatic Palmer made waves within the Major Championships. His 1st Major victory came in the 1958 Masters where he held off a chasing pack to win by 1 shot, even allowing for a bogey on the closing hole.
Palmer was a firm believer in international travel as part of his professional golf career. So he quickly set about following in the footsteps of the likes of Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead as American's who travelled over to capture The Open Championship and it's Claret Jug.
His travels to the UK were quickly rewarded, with victories in 1961 and 1962 Open Championships, narrowly missing out on the 1960 Championship which would've seen him emulate the achievements of Hogan in 1953 where he claimed the 1st 3 Majors of the year.
While his career included 7 Major Championships, it was the US PGA Championship which eluded him in capturing golf's Grand Slam. Despite tying for 2nd in 1964, 1968 and 1970, Palmer was unable to add this final championship to his impressive trophy cabinet.
Palmer's achievements on the course were rewarded with accolades that had not been seen in the history of golf. Palmer's popularity saw the game grow exponentially with large crowds following his progress which in turn saw more golfers taken up the game which is regarded as one of the key reasons golf has grown to the levels we see today.
Off the course, Palmer is recognised as a philanthropist, raising vast sums for a number of charities with the Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation creating the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. His home PGA Tour tournament at Bay Hill contributes significantly to these projects and draws a field that includes the world's best golfers each year.
Palmer's golf course designs are enjoyed across the globe. Whether it is the breathtaking links golf course at Tralee Golf Club in Ireland, the PGA Tour venue where Palmer made his home at Bay Hill, the Home of the 2006 Ryder Cup and multiple European Tour Venue, The K Club near Dublin or the ever-popular home of The Portugal Masters at The Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, golfers are sure to find themselves with numerous holes that matched The King's playing style.
With an intricate use of water hazards, risk and reward par-4's and an incredible test off the tee, Palmer's golf courses are enjoyed by both tournament professionals and amateurs alike.
