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Arnold Palmer Is the Icon of the American Ascendancy

5 minute read
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Two things about Arnold Palmer, who died Sunday at age 87:

First, he was much, much bigger than golf. Much. Much. The man was still pulling down an estimated $40 million per year even as he prepared to sign his final scorecard. Something bigger than birdies and bogeys was going on.

So what was it? Arnold Palmer was the embodiment of post-World War II America. If you want a face to illustrate the huge historical shift from the world shaped and dominated by Europe to the world built in the U.S.A, you could choose Harry Truman or Dean Acheson or Dwight Eisenhower. But tonight I nominate Arnie.

Prior to the war, golf was still something we borrowed from Great Britain. It was a game of class, not mass; closed, not open. The most admired players were amateurs who could afford not to earn a living. Palmer grew up in this world. The story goes that Palmer’s father, the greenskeeper at the country club in Latrobe, Penn., never entered the clubhouse unless he was invited by a member.

Never, that is, until his son bought the damn club.

You see, when the war was over and the British Empire’s sun finally set, the world was remade in a new image. The great American middle class came roaring out of World War II, and it was large and in charge, loud and smiling, sexy as all get-out. You can make a case that no one captured that huge historical shift from Europe to the U.S.A, from the old ways to the new, from the class culture to the mass culture, more perfectly than Palmer.

He was utterly American at the very moment when America took over the world. Europe and Asia lay in ruins, victims of the most self-destructive frenzy in human history, 70 million dead, economies in ruins, and here came the U.S.A—with a cocksure grin, and a go-for-broke game, and Popeye muscles on a slim-hipped frame. (Palmer, like the young John Wayne, was famous for hitching his pants, which were slung low, like a gunfighter’s, on Adonis hips.)

Sam Snead, who knew a thing or two about magnetism and even more about golf, said Palmer went to bed with charisma and woke up with even more. Asked if he would trade the energy he gave to his fans for some more wins in major tournaments, Palmer answered, “No way, Jose.” The man perspired pure testosterone and made a sound like cathedral bells when he walked.

Palmer blew the fusty blueblood aristocracy, the Main Line clubmen, the Beacon Hill Cabots and Lodges, right off the course and ushered in an army of charming salesmen, sharp attorneys, warehouse managers, bank vice-presidents, pharmacists, dentists, M & A guys, airline pilots, high school teachers, fast-food franchisees … all the strivers and Mad Men of that astonishing age. By opening up golf, he became the grinning face of a wide-open, go-go, impatiently hopeful time.

You are going to see a lot of pictures of Arnie circa 1960 or 1962 over the next few days. For once, the word ”icon” is apt. He is the sainted representation of his time.

Arnold Palmer’s Life in Pictures

A portrait of American golfer Arnold Palmer pulling a driving iron from a golf bag on a golf course circa 1953. Palmer died Sunday in Pittsburgh. He was 87.
A portrait of American golfer Arnold Palmer pulling a driving iron from a golf bag on a golf course circa 1953. Palmer died Sunday in Pittsburgh. He was 87.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer points to his name on the press tent scoreboard during the National Open golf tournament at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver June 19, 1960.Arnold Palmer points to his name on the press tent scoreboard during the National Open golf tournament at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver June 19, 1960.
Arnold Palmer points to his name on the press tent scoreboard during the National Open golf tournament at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver June 19, 1960.AP
Palmer Welcome Home Parade
Arnold Palmer is surrounded by applauding citizens of Latrobe, Pa., April 16, 1960 following a "Welcome Home" parade in his honor. Palmer had won the Masters Golf Tournament.AP
Palmer Demonstrates Golf Swing
Arnold Palmer stands on a sheet of glass and prepares to demonstrate his swing in Miami, in December 1960.Lynn Pelham—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Palmer Masters Golf
Arnold Palmer hugs his wife, Winnie, after winning the Masters Golf Tournament on April 10, 1960 in Augusta, Ga.Horace Cort—AP
Arnold Palmer, Golf
A portrait of Arnold Palmer with wife Winnie and daughters at home in Latrobe, Pa. on Nov. 9, 1960. Robert Huntzinger—Sports Illustrated
Arnold Palmer Tees Off As President Dwight D Eisenhower Looks On
Arnold Palmer tees off as President Dwight D. Eisenhower watches.Augusta National/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer lays his head on his golf bag while taking a break between shots during a golf tournament in 1961.
Arnold Palmer lays his head on his golf bag while taking a break between shots during a golf tournament in 1961.Getty Images
Palmer Masters Golf
Arnold Palmer holds up his hand to quiet the crowd during the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga. April 7, 1963. AP
Arnold Palmer, 1962 US Open
Arnold Palmer signs autographs in Oakmont, Pa. in 1962. Robert Huntzinger—Sports Illustrated
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer in a 1964 portrait.Dozier Mobley—AP
On the Fringe Golf
Arnold Palmer, right, slips into his green jacket with help from Jack Nicklaus after winning the Masters golf championship, in Augusta, Ga. on April 12, 1964.AP
Palmer Putts
Arnold Palmer shows young Jane Coop how to putt at Royal Birkdale, Southport, where he was practicing for his Ryder Cup match on October 7, 1965.Ted West—Central Press/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1966 US Open
Arnold Palmer in action in 1966 at Lake Course of The Olympic Club in San Francisco.Neil Leifer—Sports Illustrated
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer stands next to a bi-plane. Brian Morgan—Getty Images
Arnold Palmer Las Vegas 1966
Arnold Palmer in Las Vegas in 1966.Harold Filan—AP
Golf Classic
Arnold Palmer does a little balancing act with his putter as he urges a ball that failed to drop in the hole on the 6th green in first round of the Philadelphia Golf Classic on Sept. 15, 1967 at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Laurel Valley, Pa.Bill Ingraham—AP
Arnold Palmer
Thunderbird Golf Classic winner Arnold Palmer, right, and runner-up Jack Nicklaus stop for a backward look at photographers before meeting the rest of the press after the tournament in Clifton, N.J., on Sept. 25, 1967. AP
Arnold Palmer Thunderbird Classic 1968
Arnold Palmer, right, follows the ball after he cleared a trap on the 8th hole in the second round of the Thunderbird Golf Classic, Aug. 31, 1968, Clifton, N.J. AP
President Nixon with Sports Stars
President Richard Nixon poses in the White House with three stars of the sports world, Feb. 13, 1969 in Washington. His guests from left, were: Quarterback Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers, Golfer Arnold Palmer and Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers. The three were in Washington to attend a special sports program at the National Press Club. AP
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer paid a visit to Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower just before practice at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 1972 in Augusta. Mrs. Eisenhower told Palmer to do his best and wished him luck. Bob Daugherty—AP
Arnold Palmer 1974
Pro golfer Arnold Palmer in 1974. AP
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer in action in Westchester Classic at Harrison, N.Y., Aug. 1978. AP
Palmer Announces Retirement 1980
Arnold Palmer announced his retirement from playing the Open Golf Championship on the penultimate day of the championship at Muirfield, Scotland, July 19, 1980. Peter Kemp—AP
Arnold Palmer Congress 1990
Arnold Palmer, at podium, speaks before a Joint Meeting of Congress marking the centennial of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, on March 27, 1990, in Washington, D.C. House Speaker Tom Foley sits behind Palmer. Ron Edmonds—AP
Arnold Palmer
President George H.W. Bush and golf legend Arnold Palmer watch the tee shot of a playing partner on the 8th hole of the Cape Arundel Golf Course on August 23, 1991 in Kennebunkport, Me. Doug Mills—AP
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND ARNOLD PALMER AT PRESIDENTS CUP
1996 President Bill Clinton and golfing legend Arnold Palmer check out the action during the opening round of the Presidents Cup in Manassas, Sept. 13, 1996. Reuters
Golfer Palmer looks at a statue of himself commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first PGA tour ...
Palmer looks at a statue of himself commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first PGA tour win in 1955 in Toronto. Reuters
Arnold Palmer
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer arrives on the field before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, on Sept. 8, 2009.Gene J. Puskar—AP
The Big Three Fundraiser for the Mountain Mission Kids
Gary Player of South Africa, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer at The Big Three fund-raiser for the Mountain Mission Kids at the Olde Farm Golf Club on June 8, 2010 in Bristol, Va.Chris Condon—PGA TOUR
Congressional Golf Medal
Speaker of the House John Boehner presents golfing legend Arnold Palmer with the Congressional Gold Medal at a special ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building on Sept.12, 2012 in Washington.Chris Condon—PGA TOUR
Insperity Championship presented by United Healthcare - Round Two
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer walk to the third green during the Greats of Golf exhibition at the Insperity Championship at the Woodlands Country Club on May 4, 2013 in Woodlands, Texas. Scott Halleran—Getty Images
Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer laughing during the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla on March 25, 2013.
Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer laughing during the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla on March 25, 2013. Fred Vuich for Sports Illustrated
during a practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia.
Steve Sands chats with Masters champions Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player of South Africa on the Golf Channel set prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2015 in Augusta, Ga.David Cannon—Getty Images
MASTERS PALMER
Arnold Palmer waves to the crowd at the 2002 Masters.Doug Mills—AP

I said there were two things. Here is the second, and it is the reason that people loved Palmer. They didn’t just appreciate him or remember him. They loved him.

Arnie knew what he was—and he enjoyed it.

Think about that for a minute. Few humans can say they have it all. Much of our enjoyment in celebrities comes from the glimpse they provide into another life—the life of vast wealth, endless entertainment, famous friends, sex on cue. When these fortune-kissed individuals sink into sorrow or destroy themselves, undoubtedly there are important morals to be learned. Money doesn’t buy happiness. One true friend is worth more than a thousand fakes. Under the skin we’re all the same. And so on.

But what a joy it was to see Arnold Palmer hold the world in his hand—and simply treasure it. He was, to borrow from the poet E.A. Robinson, “rich – yes, richer than a king — / And admirably schooled in every grace / In fine, we thought he was everything / To make us wish that we were in his place.” But unlike Robinson’s Richard Cory, Palmer embraced his gifts and squeezed all the juice from them.

And by embracing them, enjoying them, he shared them with the rest of us. In a world of sullen athletes and morose millionaires, Arnold Palmer gave his fans a little taste of what it would be like to drive the green on a 346-yard hole en route to one of the greatest come-from-behind victories in sports history. He shared the feeling of being beautiful and blessed. He let you tingle a little with the electricity that passes between a demigod and admiring mortals.

Arnie appreciated the grace so lavishly poured out on him—and by doing so, he taught the rest of us to cherish joy as well. He was the picture of America, and his whole face beamed whenever he thought just how lucky that made him.

 

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