PHOTO ARCHIVE

1951 – Upon leaving Wake Forest University following the passing of his dear friend Bud Worsham, Arnold Palmer joined the Coast Guard and served from 1951 until 1954.

1954 – In August 1954, Arnold Palmer defeated Robert Sweeny 1-up in the 36-hole final at the Country Club of Detroit to win the U.S. Amateur. Arnie considered it the “turning point” of his career. He would turn pro a few months later.

1954 – A week after winning the U.S. Amateur, Arnold Palmer traveled to Shawnee-on-the-Delaware, Pennsylvania to play in another tournament. While there he met Winifred Walzer and was instantly taken. Within a week they were engaged and were married by the end of the year. They were married for 45 years until Winnie’s passing in 1999.

1955 – Arnold Palmer wins his first professional tournament at the Canadian Open, his total score of 265 marked the lowest four-round winning score of his entire professional career. The newlywed couple had driven to the tournament towing a travel trailer and camped behind the superintendent’s shed.

1959 – The phrase “Arnie’s Army” is coined in 1959, a moniker given to the crowds that followed and supported Mr. Palmer at every tournament. The name originated from Augusta National Golf Club and the nearby soldiers from Ft. Gordon who attended and volunteered at the Tournament and rooted on Arnold Palmer, the defending champion. Today the name still sticks as the “Army” of Arnie supporters is as strong as ever!

1960 – After winning his second Masters title, Arnold Palmer headed to Colorado for the U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club. Trailing by seven shots entering the final round, Arnold Palmer drove the first green and went on a birdie blitz through the front nine. His final-round 65 was good enough for 280 and the U.S. Open title. The seven-shot comeback is still the largest in tournament history and is the most classic example of Arnold Palmer’s philosophy – You must play boldly to win!

1962 – After first traveling over for The Open Championship in 1960 and finishing runner-up, Arnold Palmer picked up the Claret Jug in back-to-back years in 1961 and 1962. At that time The Open had faded in the eyes of American golfers but Arnold Palmer’s success at the event breathed new life into the game’s oldest championship and to this day the R&A credits Arnold Palmer with saving the tournament in the eyes of Americans.

1962 – After overcoming his own fear of flying and gaining his pilot’s license, Arnold Palmer purchased his first plane in 1962. He would go on to log over 18,000 hours as a pilot!

Arnold Palmer helps clear land for the second nine of his hometown Latrobe Country Club.

1964 – Arnold Palmer wins his final Masters with a six-shot victory at Augusta National Golf Club and has the Green Jacket placed on him by none other than Jack Nicklaus. The victory made Arnold Palmer the first four-time winner of the Masters Tournament. It was Arnold’s seventh and final major championship victory.

1968 – Arnold Palmer trademarks his name and umbrella logo.

1971 – 1989 – For many years, Arnold Palmer served as the Honorary National Chairman for the March of Dimes.