172: Arnold Palmer


Arnold Palmer (Photo from GolfWeek)
Arnold Palmer (Photo from GolfWeek)

Today is the 86th birthday of golf legend Arnold Palmer.

Here are a few facts about the man known as “The King.”

He was born on Sept. 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He started golfing at an early age as his father was the head professional and groundskeeper at Latrobe Country Club. After attending Wake Forest on a golf scholarship, he dropped out to join the Coast Guard, before later returning to school.

He turned pro in 1954 and won the Canadian Open in his first full professional season. He won the 1958 Masters for his first major title. Between 1960 and 1963, Palmer won 29 events and five majors. Palmer’s every-man demeanor made him immensely popular with fans, who became part of “Arnie’s Army”

He was part of the “Big Three” of golf in the 1960s along with rivals Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Palmer was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. In 2001, he began selling a version of his signature drink made from half lemonade and half iced tea.  He retired from competitive golf in 2006 after 62 PGA Tour wins and seven major championships.

Our question, Palmer’s seven major championship victories came in three of the four grand slam events. Which title eluded Palmer?

Today is also World Suicide Prevention Day, Teachers’ Day in China and National Day in Gibraltar. It’s unofficially National TV Dinner Day in the United States. It’s the birthday of poet Hilda Doolittle, actor Colin Firth and ballet dancer Misty Copeland.

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