Who doesn’t know Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest golfers of all time? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Arnold Palmer’s wives, Kathleen Gawthrop and Winnie Palmer, along with a peek into his early life and family background.
Early Life of a Golf Legend
Arnold Daniel Palmer was born on September 10, 1929, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. This working-class steel mill town is where his incredible journey began. His parents, Doris (Morrison) and Milfred Jerome “Deacon” Palmer, played a huge role in shaping his future. Despite battling polio at a young age, Deacon became the head professional and greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, giving young Arnold the chance to spend countless hours on the course.
Palmer’s talent was undeniable. He attended Wake Forest College on a golf scholarship and, on November 17, 1954, he announced he was turning pro. Arnold wasn’t an only child; he had a brother, Jerry Palmer, and two sisters, Lois Tilley and Sandra Sarni.
Arnold Palmer’s Meteoric Rise
Nicknamed “The King,” Palmer’s professional career began in 1954. He captured seven major championships, including four Masters titles, two Open Championships, and one U.S. Open. His first PGA Tour victory came in 1955 at the Canadian Open. That first-round 64 remained his best opening round ever.
Over his career, Palmer secured 62 PGA Tour titles, ranking fifth all-time, and accumulated 92 victories overall. He was twice named PGA Player of the Year (1960 and 1962) and topped the money list four times, earning nearly $7 million in tournament winnings.
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Kathleen Gawthrop: Arnold Palmer’s Second Wife
Arnold Palmer’s second wife, Kathleen Gawthrop, was born in March 1939. Not much is known about her parents, but she graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder. An accomplished golfer herself, Kathleen had to stop playing due to a back injury.
The couple met at the golf course owned by Palmer’s father. They tied the knot in 2005 in a hurried ceremony in Hawaii when Kathleen was 66 and Arnold was 75. The only attendees were members of Palmer’s staff. Kathleen was a widow and mother of three at the time. Her late husband was also a keen golfer. Palmer’s daughters welcomed Kathleen warmly, with Amy Palmer noting that her father really “needed someone like Kathleen.”
The couple remained happy together until Arnold’s passing on September 25, 2016.
Winifred Walzer: Arnold Palmer’s First Love
Before Kathleen, Arnold’s heart belonged to Winifred “Winnie” Walzer. They married in December 1934 when Winnie was just 19, an interior design student at Pembroke College. Arnold was immediately smitten, writing in his autobiography, “Winnie was unlike any girl I’d ever met, not just pretty and comfortable in almost any situation, but also smart, well-traveled, engagingly independent-minded, even something of a would-be rebel.”
Winnie and Arnold were married until her death from ovarian cancer on November 20, 1999.
The Palmer Children
Arnold and Winnie had two daughters: Peggy Palmer Wears and Amy Palmer Saunders. Peggy married Peter Wears from Durham, North Carolina, while Amy tied the knot with Roy Saunders of Windermere, Florida. Together, they manage Latrobe Country Club and Bay Hill Club.
Arnold Palmer’s Legacy Continues
Arnold Palmer’s legacy lives on through his two grandsons, two granddaughters, and nine great-grandchildren. Some of his grandchildren have even followed in his golfing footsteps. Notably, Sam Saunders played his first U.S. Open at just 23 years old.
Remembering Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer passed away at 87 due to complications from heart problems. In his memory, President Obama honored him, saying, “Here’s to The King who was as extraordinary on the links as he was generous to others. Thanks for the memories, Arnold.”