Every professional golfer worldwide will be indebted to Arnold Palmer for life.
It was Palmer’s aggressive golf, his good looks, his charisma, and his inspirational organisational ability that launched the sport of today.
The legend died this morning in a Pittsburgh hospital after being admitted last Thursday for heart tests.
He was 87, but managed to fit at least 150 summers into those stellar years.
Aptly named The King, he virtually single-handedly turned a country club game going nowhere into a huge sporting business.
His career prizemney told the story. In 734 USPGA starts, Palmer earned $1,861,857 in winning 62 times.
But in 2006, because of his charisma and being a golfing icon, he banked $30 million.
He would be the first to salute Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, described as the Big Three in their heyday, for playing their part in golf blossoming as a professional sport.
In the 1950s, Palmer’s organisational skills landed many big sponsors to kick start the pro era.
Arnie’s Army became an exploding spectator sport in its own right, with many knowing little to nothing about golf, but they worshipped Arnold like disciples, and they turned up in droves.
He managed to gather $80 million together from many sources to set up The Golf Channel, the sport needed coverage to support sponsors.
But Arnold Palmer won’t be remembered for just his eight majors, 96 victories worldwide, and his titanic tussles with Nicklaus and Player,.but more for his far reaching charitable and humanitarian causes he supported, giving hope and a life to countless thousands.
To do justice to an obituary for Arnold Palmer would be the length of War and Peace.
Jack Nicklaus does him proud.
“We have just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf, and in all sports.
“I know he was Pittsburgh to find out how to make himself better. That was Arnold, always trying to be better.
“I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago on his birthday, when he sounded great.
“He has always been a fighter and he never gave in on anything. Maybe his body did, but Arnold’s will and spirit did not.
“He was one of my best friends, closest friends, and he was for a long long time.
“I will miss him greatly”.
I can only add six words to Jack Nicklaus’ salute.
The world will miss him greatly.
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