Arnold Palmer
Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
On Sunday, April 6, 1958, Arnold Palmer eagled the 13th hole, forcing the last contenders to try to tie with birdie putts. They missed. At age 28 Arnold had his first Masters victory. On Sunday, April 10, 1960, Palmer birdied 17 and 18 to win his second Masters title by one stroke. On Sunday, April 8, 1962, Palmer birdied 16 and 17 to tie Gary Player and Dow Finsterwald for first place. In Monday's playoff he scored 31 on the second nine to win his third Masters title. In April, 1964 Palmer scored rounds of 69-68-68-70 to win by six strokes and become the first four-time winner of The Masters. Arnold Palmer had changed the game of golf with these heroic charges and appreciative legions of fans formed around him. They were called "Arnie's Army".
The Story
Across four Masters Tournaments between 1958 and 1964, Arnold Palmer authored a run of charging finishes that made him the event's first four-time champion. His bold, go-for-broke play and magnetic charm drew huge, devoted galleries—"Arnie's Army"—and helped turn golf into a television-age spectator sport.
Why it matters
Palmer's Augusta triumphs helped transform golf from a genteel pastime into a mass-audience American sport.
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