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Tributes flow for golf legend Arnold Palmer

Golf icon Arnold Palmer has passed away at the age of 87 (Pic: Wikipedia).
25th September, 2016
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Golfing icon Arnold Palmer has passed away, aged 87 in a hospital in Pittsburgh.

Palmer had been undergoing heart tests in a local hospital and while the exact cause of his death isn’t known, multiple reports suggest he has been in deteriorating health since early 2015.

His biographer James Dodson reacted to the news, remembering the prestige of Palmer’s remarkable career.

“We loved him with a mythic American joy. He represented everything that is great about golf. The friendship, the fellowship, the laughter, the impossibility of golf, the sudden rapture moment that brings you back, a moment that you never forget, that’s Arnold Palmer in spades. He’s the defining figure in golf.”

The iconic figure was inducted into the World Gold Hall of Fame in 1974 and holds the record for most consecutive wins while on a PGA Tour with 17 between 1995 and 1971.

The legendary golfer was well known for his achievements both on the off the course, having won seven majors and also being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012, the highest award any American citizen can be given.

Palmer is widely recognised as the figure who brought golf into the mainstream; his vibrant personality and humble beginnings as the son of a groundskeeper translating well to the television, quickly making him a fan favourite.

He turned pro in 1955 and won six of his seven majors between 1960 and 1964, a booming period for televised sport which led to him becoming the face of multiple products.

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Palmer was also the co-founder of The Golf Channel, the first ever television program dedicated to a single sport.

He was also a licenced pilot, taking up flying lessons soon after his daughters were born in 1956 and 1958 respectively.

He went on to log more than 18,000 hours in the air, saying that all the cross-country driving in the early years of his career encouraged him to find a more suitable means of transport.

But he was forced to give up his pilot’s licence in 2011, at age 82.

Many hospitals have been named after the seven-time major winner, whose last active participation in the sport was a ceremonial opening tee shot at the British Open in 2015.

Since 2007, Palmer had traditionally also taken the ceremonial first tee shot of the Masters every year, however was forced to miss out this year due to a recurring shoulder injury.

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