ARNOLD PALMER, one of the most famous athletes on the planet and a friend to presidents, kings, and movie stars, died Sunday at the age of 87.

    Palmer, the son of a Pennsylvania country club greenskeeper, learned the sport of golf as a youth and perfected his game while at Wake Forest. He turned pro in 1955, winning a tournament in his first year as a professional, and three years later won the Masters.

    Six of Palmer’s seven major wins came in a short period, from 1960 to 1964, but that happened to be the exact moment when televised sports first became a national obsession. Palmer’s good looks, humble origins, cheerful demeanor and on-course success combined to make him an early favorite of viewing audiences, and “Arnie’s Army” turned out in force wherever he played.

    Palmer’s battles with Jack Nicklaus were instant legend, a rivalry that blossomed into a friendship lasting more than half a century. Along with Gary Player, the men created the foundation for modern golf, and remained connected, visible and vibrant long after their playing days were done.

    Palmer was one of the first sports figures to create a vibrant off-course empire. In addition to the products he endorsed, Palmer oversaw a thriving course design business and helped found The Golf Channel.

    Palmer, part of the alluring “Big Three,” with Nicklaus and Player, won 62 titles on the PGA Tour.

    Palmer became one of the best known sports figures in the late 1950s and into the 1960s and took the game to the masses.

    “Arnold meant everything to golf. Are you kidding me?” Tiger Woods said. “I mean, without his charisma, without his personality in conjunction with TV — it was just the perfect symbiotic growth. You finally had someone who had this charisma, and they’re capturing it on TV for the very first time.

    “Everyone got hooked to the game of golf via TV because of Arnold.”(SD-Agencies)