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Arnold Palmer Timeline

(1929–2016)

Arnold Palmer (1929–2016) was an American professional golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the history of the sport. Known affectionately as 'The King,' Palmer won 62 PGA Tour titles, including seven major championships, and is credited with popularizing golf for television audiences in the late 1950s and 1960s. His partnership with agent Mark McCormack helped pioneer modern sports marketing, and his legacy endures through the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his course design business, and his influence on generations of golfers. Less

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Early Life

Arnold Palmer is born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Sep 10, 1929

Arnold Daniel Palmer was born on September 10, 1929, to Doris (née Morrison) and Milfred Jerome "Deacon" Palmer in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a working-class steel mill town.

Image source: Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer is born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania

First visits Orlando during a college match

1948

Palmer first visited Orlando in 1948 during a college match, a city that would later become central to his life and business career.

Serves three years in the U.S. Coast Guard

1951 - 1954

Palmer served in the United States Coast Guard for three years, from 1951 to 1954.

Marries Winifred Walzer

1954

There, he met his future wife, Winifred Walzer, and they remained married for 45 years until her death in 1999.

Becomes a member of the Freemasons

1958

Palmer was a member of the Freemasons since 1958.

Winnie Palmer dies of ovarian cancer

Nov 20, 1999

Winnie died at age 65 on November 20, 1999, of complications from ovarian cancer, ending the couple's 45-year marriage.

Marries second wife Kathleen Gawthrop

2005

Palmer married his second wife, Kathleen Gawthrop, in 2005 in Hawaii.

Pilots plane for the last time

Jan 31, 2011

Palmer piloted a plane for the last time on January 31, 2011, flying from Palm Springs in California to Orlando in his Cessna Citation X.

Golf Career

Wins the 1954 U.S. Amateur

1954

Palmer won the 1954 U.S. Amateur, a victory that propelled him toward a professional golf career.

Announces intentions to turn professional

Nov 17, 1954

On November 17, 1954, Palmer announced his intentions to turn pro.

Wins the Canadian Open in rookie season

1955

Palmer's first tour win came during his 1955 rookie season, when he won the Canadian Open and earned $2,400 for his efforts.

Wins twice on tour

1956

Palmer improved steadily after his rookie season, winning two PGA Tour events in 1956.

Wins first major at the Masters Tournament

Apr 1958

After winning twice in 1956 and four times in 1957, Palmer won his first major championship at the 1958 Masters Tournament, where he earned $11,250, establishing his position as one of the leading stars of the game.

Image source: 1958 Masters Tournament

Wins first major at the Masters Tournament

Most prolific stretch wins 29 events including five majors

1960 - 1963

Palmer's most prolific years were 1960–1963, when he won 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournaments, in four seasons.

Runner-up finish at the British Open

1960

Palmer was greatly disappointed by his runner-up finish in the 1960 British Open, narrowly missing a bid to win all three majors in one year.

Image source: 1960 Open Championship

Runner-up finish at the British Open

Travels to Scotland for first British Open

1960

Before Ben Hogan won The Open in 1953, few American professionals had traveled to play in it due to extensive travel requirements, its relatively small purse, and links-style courses radically different from most American courses. In particular, Palmer traveled to Scotland in 1960 to compete in the British Open for the first time while trying to emulate Hogan's 1953 feat of winning all three majors in a single year.

Wins the Open Championship

1961

Palmer went on to win the Open Championship in 1961 and 1962, helping popularize the tournament among American professionals, and last played in it in 1995.

Image source: The Open Championship

Wins the Open Championship

Wins the Vardon Trophy

1961

Palmer won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average four times: 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1967.

Plays on six Ryder Cup teams

1961 - 1973

He played on six Ryder Cup teams: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1973.

Image source: Ryder Cup

Plays on six Ryder Cup teams

Last playing captain of the Ryder Cup team

1963

Palmer was the last playing captain in 1963, and later captained the team again in 1975.

Wins final major at the Masters

Apr 1964

Palmer won seven major titles in a six-plus-year domination from the 1958 Masters to the 1964 Masters, which capped his run of major championships.

Image source: 1964 Masters Tournament

Wins final major at the Masters

First man to reach $1 million in career earnings

1967

Palmer built up a wide fan base, often referred to as "Arnie's Army", and in 1967 he became the first man to reach $1 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.

Enjoys a revival winning four PGA Tour events

1971

By the late 1960s Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player had both acquired clear ascendancy in their rivalry, but Palmer won a PGA Tour event every year from 1955 to 1971 inclusive, and in 1971 he enjoyed a revival, winning four events.

Joins Senior PGA Tour in its first season

1980

Palmer was eligible for the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) from its first season in 1980, and he was one of the marquee names who helped it to become successful.

Final Masters appearance marks 50th consecutive start

2004

In 2004, Palmer competed in the Masters Tournament for the last time, marking his 50th consecutive appearance in that event.

Image source: Masters Tournament

Final Masters appearance marks 50th consecutive start

Retires from tournament golf

Oct 13, 2006

Palmer retired from tournament golf on October 13, 2006, when he withdrew from the Champions Tour's Administaff Small Business Classic after four holes due to dissatisfaction with his own play.

Becomes honorary starter at the Masters

2007 - Sep 25, 2016

From 2007 until his death, Palmer served as an honorary starter for the Masters, kicking off the tournament with ceremonial tee shots. From 2007 to 2009 he was the sole honorary starter; Jack Nicklaus joined him in 2010 and Gary Player in 2012, reuniting golf's Big Three.

Honors and Legacy

Named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year

1960

In 1960, Palmer won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.

Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa honor society

1964

Palmer was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa - The National Leadership Honor Society in 1964 at Wake Forest University.

Image source: Omicron Delta Kappa

Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa honor society

One of 13 original inductees into World Golf Hall of Fame

1974

In 1974 Palmer was one of the 13 original inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Image source: World Golf Hall of Fame

One of 13 original inductees into World Golf Hall of Fame

Airport renamed Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Sep 10, 1999

On Palmer's 70th birthday in 1999, Westmoreland County Airport in Latrobe was renamed Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in his honor. The airport started as the Longview Flying Field in 1924 and was previously known as J.D. Hill Airport, Latrobe Airport, and Westmoreland County Airport.

Image source: Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Airport renamed Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

Ranked sixth greatest player by Golf Digest

2000

In 2000, Palmer was ranked the sixth greatest player of all time in Golf Digest magazine's rankings, and by 2008 had earned an estimated $30 million.

Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

2004

Palmer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Statue unveiled at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

2007

A statue of Palmer made by Zenos Frudakis, holding a golf club, was unveiled in 2007 in front of the airport's entrance.

Publishes Reflections on the Game

2012

Reflections on the Game, written by Palmer with Thomas Hauser, was published in 2012.

Image source: Ubisoft Reflections

Publishes Reflections on the Game

Memorial service held after Ryder Cup tribute

Sep 2016

Two days after a 17–11 American victory at Hazeltine, which marked the first American Ryder Cup triumph since 2008 and was dedicated to Palmer, the majority of the team attended the memorial service for Palmer. His bag from the 1975 Ryder Cup was also placed on the first tee as a tribute.

Image source: 2016 Ryder Cup

Memorial service held after Ryder Cup tribute

Arnold Palmer dies at age 87

Sep 25, 2016

Palmer died on September 25, 2016, while awaiting heart surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Shadyside) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Around the time of his death, which came during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Palmer reportedly showed disgust towards Trump.

Golden Palm Star dedicated on Palm Springs Walk of Stars

Jan 1, 2017

A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Palmer on January 1, 2017.

Image source: Palm Springs Walk of the Stars

Golden Palm Star dedicated on Palm Springs Walk of Stars

USPS issues commemorative stamp honoring Palmer

Mar 4, 2020

The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring Palmer on March 4, 2020.

Business Ventures

Signs with pioneering sports agent Mark McCormack

1960

By 1960 Palmer had signed up as pioneering sports agent Mark McCormack's first client.

Purchases Latrobe Country Club

1971 - Sep 25, 2016

In 1971, Palmer purchased Latrobe Country Club (where his father used to be the club professional) and owned it until his death.

Forms Palmer Course Design

1972

This led to the formation of Palmer Course Design in 1972, which was renamed Arnold Palmer Design Company when the company moved to Orlando, Florida, in 2006.

Purchases Cadillac dealership in Charlotte

1974

In 1974, Palmer, along with partners Mark McCormack and Don Massey, purchased a Cadillac dealership on Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, North Carolina. The dealership was relocated to nearby Pineville in 2008 and sold to Sonic Automotive in 2011.

Depicted in smoking cessation testimonial photo

1989

As a testimonial for smoking cessation products, Palmer was depicted in a 1989 photo by Robert Straus that was subject to copyright litigation as late as 20 years later.

Arnold Palmer beverage mass-produced

2001

One of Palmer's most recent products (mass-produced starting in 2001) is a branded use of the beverage known as the Arnold Palmer, which combines sweetened iced tea with lemonade.

Image source: Arnold Palmer (drink)

Arnold Palmer beverage mass-produced

Bay Hill Invitational renamed Arnold Palmer Invitational

2007

Palmer owned the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, which is the venue for the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational, renamed from the Bay Hill Invitational in 2007.

Image source: Arnold Palmer Invitational

Bay Hill Invitational renamed Arnold Palmer Invitational

Jury rules against Palmer in memorabilia lawsuit

Mar 12, 2014

In 1997, Palmer and fellow golfer Tiger Woods initiated a civil case to stop the unauthorized sale of their images and alleged signatures in the memorabilia market. On March 12, 2014, a Florida jury ruled in favor of Gotta Have It on its breach of contract and other related claims.

Latrobe Cadillac dealership closes after 36 years

2017

The Latrobe dealership, known as Arnold Palmer Motors, closed in 2017 after 36 years in business and several months after his death.

Key Facts

  1. Arnold Palmer was born on September 10, 1929, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where his father worked as a golf professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club.
  2. He won 62 PGA Tour events, including seven major championships: four Masters Tournaments (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964), one U.S. Open (1960), and two Open Championships (1961, 1962).
  3. Palmer's charisma and aggressive playing style, combined with the rise of televised golf, earned him a massive following known as 'Arnie's Army' and made him one of the first true sports superstars.
  4. In 1960, he famously came from behind to win the U.S. Open at Cherry Hills after driving the green on the first hole during a final-round 65.
  5. Beyond playing, Palmer built a successful career as a golf course designer, businessman, and philanthropist; the Arnold Palmer Invitational remains a premier PGA Tour event, and the 'Arnold Palmer' beverage (half iced tea, half lemonade) bears his name.

Source

This Arnold Palmer timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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