Yes, that’s me holding a copy of the Sunny Isles Beach Sun next to Arnold Palmer at the airport that bears his name, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. This slightly larger-thanlife statue in bronze sits directly across from the terminal entrance. Golf aficionados will recognize the name of this professional golfer born in 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and referred to as “the King”.
His father was a greenskeeper at the local golf course; so naturally Arnold picked up the clubs at a very young age.
Arnold ruled the PGA tour in the 1950s and 1960s – winning 92 tournaments throughout his career, seven major championships which included the Masters four times and the British Open twice. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. In the 1980s he played on the Senior Tour, contributing to the resurgence of golf’s popularity.When he retired from golf, he continued to excel in the business world, marketing himself, endorsing products, and supporting the game of golf. He is still going strong at 84. Each year he hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational at his own Bay Hill Club & Lodge near Orlando, Florida. Youngsters will recognize him for the non-alcoholic drink produced commercially since 2001. “The Arnold Palmer” drink consists of a mix of half iced tea and half lemonade and has been Arnold’s drink of choice following a round of golf since the 1950s.
