Arnold Palmer, nicknamed "The King", was a celebrated American golfer, considered one of the best and most magnetic figures in the sport. From 1955 onward, he secured victories in many PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions events. Palmer, a pioneer and the first superstar of golf's television era from the 1950s, significantly contributed to the sport's popularity.
1924: Longview Flying Field Established
The airport that would later become Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was first established as Longview Flying Field in 1924.
1928: Renamed to J.D. Hill Airport
In 1928, Longview Flying Field was renamed to J.D. Hill Airport.
September 10, 1929: Arnold Palmer's Birth
Arnold Daniel Palmer was born on September 10, 1929. He would go on to become one of golf's most charismatic and influential players.
1935: Renamed to Latrobe Airport
J.D. Hill Airport was renamed to Latrobe Airport in 1935.
1939: First Official Airmail Pickup
The world's first official airmail pickup took place at the future Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in 1939.
1948: Palmer's First Visit to Orlando
Arnold Palmer first visited Orlando in 1948 while participating in a college golf match.
1951: Arnold Palmer Enlists in the U.S. Coast Guard
Following the death of his close friend, Bud Worsham, Arnold Palmer left Wake Forest College and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1951.
1953: Ben Hogan's Triple Crown Inspires Arnold Palmer
Ben Hogan's remarkable achievement of winning the Masters, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship in 1953 served as a significant inspiration for Arnold Palmer's pursuit of golfing excellence.
1953: Ben Hogan Wins The Open Championship
In 1953, Ben Hogan's victory in The Open Championship marked a turning point, inspiring more American professionals to participate in the tournament.
November 17, 1954: Arnold Palmer Announces Intentions to Turn Pro
On November 17, 1954, Arnold Palmer publicly declared his intentions to transition into a professional golfer.
1954: Arnold Palmer Wins U.S. Amateur and Turns Pro
Arnold Palmer achieved a significant victory in 1954 by winning the U.S. Amateur in Detroit. This win solidified his decision to turn professional in November of the same year.
1954: Arnold Palmer Completes U.S. Coast Guard Service
Arnold Palmer completed his service in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1954 and returned to college and competitive golf.
1955: Start of Arnold Palmer's Professional Golf Career
Arnold Palmer began his illustrious professional golf career in 1955, winning numerous events on both the PGA Tour and the circuit now known as PGA Tour Champions.
1955: Arnold Palmer Begins Streak of Consecutive PGA Tour Wins
Arnold Palmer embarked on a remarkable streak, winning a PGA Tour event every year from 1955 onward. This consistent success solidified his status as a dominant force in golf.
1955: Arnold Palmer's First Tour Win
Arnold Palmer secured his first tour victory in 1955 at the Canadian Open. This win marked a significant step in his rising golf career.
1958: Palmer Becomes a Freemason
Arnold Palmer became a member of the Freemasons in 1958.
1958: Arnold Palmer's Charisma Helps Establish Golf as a Television Event
Arnold Palmer's charisma played a crucial role in establishing golf as a compelling television event in the late 1950s and 1960s, contributing to the sport's popularity today. His first major championship win at the 1958 Masters Tournament solidified his status as a leading figure in golf.
1958: Arnold Palmer's First Major Championship Win
In 1958, Arnold Palmer achieved a significant milestone by winning his first major championship at the Masters Tournament.
1960: Arnold Palmer Becomes Mark McCormack's First Client
In 1960, Arnold Palmer partnered with pioneering sports agent Mark McCormack, becoming his first client.
1960: Arnold Palmer Competes in the British Open for the First Time
Arnold Palmer, aiming to emulate Hogan's 1953 feat of winning three major tournaments in a year, competed in the British Open for the first time in 1960. Despite not winning, his performance captivated British fans and increased American interest in The Open Championship.
1960: Arnold Palmer's Domination and Recognition
From 1960 to 1963, Arnold Palmer dominated the golf scene, winning 29 PGA Tour events, including five major tournaments. He was recognized as the top professional athlete of the year with the Hickok Belt and Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award in 1960.
1960: Arnold Palmer's Runner-Up Finish at the British Open Draws American Attention
Arnold Palmer's near victory at the 1960 British Open, where he finished as runner-up, significantly raised the profile of the tournament among American golfers, who had previously overlooked it.
1961: Arnold Palmer Wins the Open Championship
Arnold Palmer achieved a significant victory in 1961 by winning the Open Championship, solidifying his international recognition.
1961: Arnold Palmer Wins First Vardon Trophy and Joins Ryder Cup Team
Arnold Palmer achieved recognition for his exceptional scoring average in 1961, winning his first Vardon Trophy. In the same year, he was selected to be part of the Ryder Cup team, representing the United States in the prestigious international golf competition.
1962: Arnold Palmer Wins Second Consecutive Open Championship
Arnold Palmer continued his success at the Open Championship, securing his second consecutive victory in 1962.
1962: Arnold Palmer Wins Second Vardon Trophy
Arnold Palmer's consistent excellence on the golf course earned him his second Vardon Trophy in 1962, recognizing his impressive scoring average.
1963: Arnold Palmer Serves as Playing Captain for Ryder Cup
Arnold Palmer took on a dual role in the 1963 Ryder Cup, serving as both a player and captain for the American team. He became the last playing captain in the event's history.
1963: End of Arnold Palmer's Most Prolific Years
Arnold Palmer's most prolific years in golf concluded in 1963. During this period, he achieved remarkable success, winning 29 PGA Tour events and five major tournaments in four seasons.
1963: Canada Cup Shortened Due to Fog
In 1963, the Canada Cup, a prestigious golf tournament, had to be shortened to 63 holes because of foggy conditions.
1964: Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa
In 1964, Arnold Palmer was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, at Wake Forest University.
1964: Arnold Palmer's Fourth Masters Tournament Win
Arnold Palmer secured his fourth victory at the Masters Tournament in 1964, solidifying his dominance in the sport.
1964: Arnold Palmer Wins Third Vardon Trophy
Arnold Palmer's remarkable skill and consistency were once again acknowledged in 1964 when he received his third Vardon Trophy for his outstanding scoring average.
1965: Arnold Palmer Participates in the Ryder Cup
In 1965, Arnold Palmer joined the American team for the Ryder Cup, showcasing his golfing prowess in this prestigious international competition.
1967: Arnold Palmer Wins Fourth Vardon Trophy
Arnold Palmer's dominance on the golf course continued in 1967, as he earned his fourth Vardon Trophy, highlighting his remarkable ability to consistently achieve low scores.
1967: Arnold Palmer Reaches $1 Million in Career Earnings
In 1967, Arnold Palmer became the first golfer to achieve a significant financial milestone, reaching $1 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
1971: Arnold Palmer Plays in the Ryder Cup
Arnold Palmer's golfing talent was once again on display in 1971 as he participated in the Ryder Cup, representing the United States against the European team.
1971: End of Arnold Palmer's Streak of Consecutive PGA Tour Wins and Resurgence
Arnold Palmer's impressive streak of winning a PGA Tour event every year came to an end in 1971. However, the same year marked a resurgence for him, as he won four PGA Tour events.
1971: Palmer Purchases Latrobe Country Club
In 1971, Arnold Palmer purchased the Latrobe Country Club, where his father had been a club professional.
1972: Formation of Palmer Course Design
Arnold Palmer co-founded Palmer Course Design in 1972, marking his venture into golf course design.
1973: End of Arnold Palmer's PGA Tour Wins
Arnold Palmer's last PGA Tour win occured in 1973. He would finish his career with 62 PGA Tour wins.
1973: Arnold Palmer's Final Ryder Cup Appearance as a Player
Arnold Palmer made his final appearance as a player in the Ryder Cup in 1973, marking the end of an era for the American team.
1974: Arnold Palmer Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame
Arnold Palmer was among the first 13 inductees into the prestigious World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
1974: Palmer Ventures into Car Dealership
Arnold Palmer, alongside partners, acquired a Cadillac dealership in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1974.
1975: Arnold Palmer Captains the Ryder Cup Team
After his last appearance as a player, Arnold Palmer took on the role of captain for the American Ryder Cup team in 1975, guiding and mentoring the next generation of golfers.
1975: Ryder Cup and Arnold Palmer's Legacy
In 1975, Arnold Palmer played a significant role in the Ryder Cup, winning more than 22 matches and captaining Team USA to two victories. He also held or tied records for youngest captain, most career singles points, and most points in a single Ryder Cup.
1978: Renamed to Westmoreland County Airport
Latrobe Airport was renamed to Westmoreland County Airport in 1978.
1980: Arnold Palmer Joins Senior PGA Tour
Arnold Palmer became eligible for the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) in its inaugural season in 1980. His presence and success contributed significantly to the tour's growth and popularity.
1988: First Modern Golf Course in China
Arnold Palmer designed the first modern golf course in China in 1988, expanding the global reach of golf.
1989: Photo for Smoking Cessation Products
In 1989, Arnold Palmer participated in a photo shoot for smoking cessation products, captured by photographer Robert Straus. This image later became the subject of copyright litigation.
1995: Arnold Palmer's Last Appearance at the Open Championship
Arnold Palmer's final appearance in the Open Championship took place in 1995, marking the end of an era in golf.
1997: Lawsuit Filed to Stop Unauthorized Use of Images
In 1997, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods initiated a legal battle to prevent the unauthorized sale of their images and signatures in the memorabilia market.
1998: Arnold Palmer Receives PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1998, Arnold Palmer was honored with the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to golf.
November 20, 1999: Winnie Palmer Passes Away
Arnold Palmer's wife, Winnie Walzer, passed away on November 20, 1999, due to complications from ovarian cancer.
1999: Westmoreland County Airport Renamed
Westmoreland County Airport in Latrobe was renamed to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in 1999 in honor of the golfer's 70th birthday.
1999: Death of Winifred Walzer Palmer
Winifred Walzer, Arnold Palmer's wife of 45 years, passed away in 1999.
2000: Ranked Sixth Greatest Golfer
In 2000, Golf Digest magazine ranked Arnold Palmer as the sixth greatest golfer of all time.
2001: Arnold Palmer Drink
In 2001, the popular beverage known as the Arnold Palmer, a blend of iced tea and lemonade, started being mass-produced.
2004: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Arnold Palmer received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, becoming the first golfer to be bestowed this honor.
2004: Arnold Palmer's Final Masters Tournament Appearance
In 2004, Arnold Palmer competed in the Masters Tournament for the last time, marking his 50th consecutive appearance in the prestigious event. His enduring presence at Augusta National cemented his legacy as a true icon of golf.
2005: Palmer's Second Marriage
Arnold Palmer married his second wife, Kathleen Gawthrop, in 2005 in Hawaii.
October 13, 2006: Arnold Palmer Retires from Tournament Golf
On October 13, 2006, Arnold Palmer decided to retire from tournament golf, withdrawing from the Champions Tours' Administaff Small Business Classic after four holes due to dissatisfaction with his performance.
2006: Palmer Course Design becomes Arnold Palmer Design Company
In 2006, Palmer Course Design was renamed to Arnold Palmer Design Company and moved its headquarters to Orlando, Florida.
2007: Palmer Statue Unveiled
A statue of Arnold Palmer, crafted by Zenos Frudakis, was unveiled in front of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in 2007.
2007: Honorary Starter at the Masters Tournament
Arnold Palmer was named the honorary starter for the Masters Tournament in 2007.
2007: Bay Hill Invitational renamed to Arnold Palmer Invitational
In 2007, the Bay Hill Invitational, hosted at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, was renamed to the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
2007: Arnold Palmer Becomes Honorary Starter for the Masters
Starting in 2007, Arnold Palmer took on the esteemed role of honorary starter for the Masters Tournament, a fitting tribute to his legendary status in the world of golf.
2008: Sam Saunders Turns Pro
Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders, turned professional in 2008 after playing golf at Bay Hill and attending Clemson University on a golf scholarship.
2008: Estimated Earnings of $30 Million
By 2008, Arnold Palmer had earned an estimated $30 million through his successful career and various ventures.
2008: American Ryder Cup Triumph Dedicated to Palmer
The American team won the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, marking their first triumph since 2008. The victory was dedicated to Arnold Palmer.
2009: Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
Arnold Palmer was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009, becoming the second golfer after Byron Nelson to receive this prestigious award.
2009: Sole Honorary Starter at the Masters
For three years, from 2007 to 2009, Arnold Palmer served as the sole honorary starter for the Masters Tournament.
2010: Jack Nicklaus Joins as Honorary Starter
In 2010, Jack Nicklaus joined Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for the Masters Tournament.
January 31, 2011: Palmer's Last Flight (Initially)
Arnold Palmer flew his Cessna Citation X from Palm Springs, California to Orlando, Florida on January 31, 2011, which he initially believed to be his final flight due to his pilot's medical certificate expiring that day.
May 2011: New Pilot's Medical Certificate
Despite initially deciding not to renew it, Arnold Palmer was issued a new third-class medical certificate in May 2011.
2012: The Big Three Reunited as Honorary Starters
In 2012, Gary Player joined Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, reuniting "The Big Three" as honorary starters for the 76th playing of the Masters Tournament.
March 12, 2014: Legal Battle over Image Rights
On March 12, 2014, a Florida jury ruled against Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods in a case concerning the unauthorized use of their images in memorabilia. The jury ruled in favor of Gotta Have It Golf, Inc.
September 25, 2016: Arnold Palmer's Death
Arnold Palmer passed away on September 25, 2016, leaving behind a lasting legacy on the world of golf.
January 1, 2017: Golden Palm Star for Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer was honored with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on January 1, 2017.
2017: Arnold Palmer Motors Closes
Arnold Palmer Motors, a Buick-Cadillac dealership in Latrobe, closed its doors in 2017 after 36 years in business.
March 4, 2020: Commemorative Stamp Honoring Arnold Palmer
On March 4, 2020, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp to honor Arnold Palmer.