R.I.P. Arnold Palmer

US golf legend Arnold Palmer dies at 87
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37469392

US golfer Arnold Palmer, viewed as one of the greatest players in the sport's history, has died at the age of 87.
Palmer died at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he had been undergoing heart tests, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The United States Golf Association also confirmed his death in a tweet calling him "golf's greatest ambassador".

During a long career he won more than 90 tournaments worldwide.

Palmer attracted thousands of diehard fans known as "Arnie's Army" and helped to promote the game into the television age.

Golfer Tiger Woods tweeted: "Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs. Your philanthropy and humility are part of your legend."

Arnold Palmer was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1929, the son of a groundskeeper at the local country club who later became the professional at the golf club there.

He was one of golf's most dominant players in the late 1950s and early 1960s, winning seven major titles over seven seasons.
He also notched up 62 PGA Tour wins.

I started golf because I saw him play and win. I owe him a debt of gratitude for that, however frustrating golf has been over the years. To my mind, he is the greatest golfer of all time. Perhaps not the greatest player - although he was unbeatable when he played his best - but for all he gave to golf, he deserves the title of best golfer.

What a crusher - in Ryder Cup week too.

Been coming a while, looked like a corpse at The Masters.

super_realist wrote:Been coming a while, looked like a corpse at The Masters.

I did think when I saw him at the Masters back in April that he wouldn't see another one. Sad news but it does come to us all eventually.

Maybe a bit crass to be thinking about it but I'm not sure the Americans will benefit from the "Arnie effect" the same way that Europe apparently tapped into the "Seve effect" at Medina. Too soon for a start and a few of the Europeans admired Palmer just as much as the Americans.

Can't be too sad about Palmer, he was 87 and old people die unfortunately. He had a great life, and did the game of golf a lot of good.

I'm sure there will be a few of the more "reverend" Americans invoking the "spirit of Arnie" or "arnie is looking down on us" similar to the inducing Seve stuff from a few years back.

Pls. understand me well, and may be a bit cynical, but can't help thinking Ryan Moore isn't too unhappy with the timing.

super_realist wrote:Been coming a while, looked like a corpse at The Masters.

Is this how you comforted your parents and family when your grandparents passed away?

Of course not Mac, why would I need to be sensitive or pretend to care about Palmer's death?
Once again you are employing your 6th form arguments.

Super, sorry I quoted the wrong post.

I actually meant to quote this post.

Super wrote:Can't be too sad about Palmer, he was 87 and old people die unfortunately

Still the same sentiment Mac.

It's neither a surprise, sad or tragic that Palmer died, he had a great life, lived to a ripe old age and did much for golf and his own legacy.

Such a life is to be celebrated if you're the sentimental type, not mourned.

"I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone's game.....It's called an eraser"...

Larger than life, charismatic and a star that resonated with the common man in a game full of elitism....

Muhammad Ali and now Arnold Palmer in the space of a few weeks..

Genuine superstars...

Sad day in terms of the loss... but joyous and thankful in the thoughts of all that Arnie brought to those of us who love this game so much... on both sides of the pond.

Hardly a few weeks Truss, Ali died at the start of June.

super_realist wrote:Hardly a few weeks Truss, Ali died at the start of June.

Same same for a guy who only comes alive every two years.

Didn't go to the driving range when I was a lad .I went to the 'Arnold palmer'

Wonder what effect Arnie's death will have on the APinv? Will it go the way of the Byron Nelson or remain a top tour stop?

I reckon next years will be pretty big as the first after his death and then who knows.

Thought the same mac. Big thing next year and then the Byron Nelson way. Depends on the time slot though. This year was a bit crowded, inbetween WGCs.

I'm not sure people will see it as a big thing. Quote a few players ducked it when he was alive, I'm not sure him being brown bread makes any difference to whether he plays or not.
Not like the Seve Trophy is stowed out with the top players.

A little tribute on the BBC sports site. Didn't realise he was still earning millions of dollars from golf. in 2015 his $40m earnings were only beaten by Spieth, Mickelson, Woods and McIlroy

Amazing considering how awful his golf products were, must have been somewhere else he was making his money.

super_realist wrote:I'm not sure people will see it as a big thing. Quote a few players ducked it when he was alive, I'm not sure him being brown bread makes any difference to whether he plays or not.
Not like the Seve Trophy is stowed out with the top players.

His tourney has been worth 58-60 points the last few years, which is top drawer for a regular tourney.
Think GPB or Mac did an analysis of how the Byron Nelson had dropped in OWGR points after his death. No reason not to beleive the same will happen to the API.

super,
Apparently his clothing line with the umbrella logo does huge business in Japan. Plus, don't know if he's divested or not, but at one time he owned the biggest Cadillac dealerships in the US, plus his share of the Golf Channel must be worth multimillions.

Plus the course design business plus earnings from Bay Hill resort. And no doubt he was being paid a fortune to sponsor stuff like stair lifts and mobility scooters

raycastleunited wrote:Plus the course design business plus earnings from Bay Hill resort. And no doubt he was being paid a fortune to sponsor stuff like stair lifts and mobility scooters

As Kwini said, he was involved in Cadillac so maybe he was targeting the grey dollar.

I imagine his golf course design business is still a bit of an earner. What about the drink? (I mean the canned Iced Tea & lemonade)

His drink is pretty popular with people who are looking for something non-alcoholic after a round of golf.  It's one of my favorites.