Arnold Palmer leaves mark beyond links

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who died Sunday, touched many lives in the Charlotte area.

Not only was Palmer a great golfer, he was a philanthropist who wore his heart on his sleeve.

His ties to North Carolina and Charlotte were strong, having attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship decades ago.

Palmer most recent round of golf was played five years ago at the Pro Am at Quail Hollow.

"It's the end of an era,” Dana Rader, who operates the Dana Rader Golf School in south Charlotte, said. “Him leaving and just a wonderful man who will be missed incredibly."

"Everybody knows Arnie,” golfer Jack Larkin said. “’Arnie's Army.’ He was unbelievable."

President Barack Obama considered himself a part of Arnie’s Army, as well.

With his homemade swing and homespun charm, Arnold Palmer had swagger before we had a name for it, Obama said in a news release. “From a humble start working at the local club in his beloved Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to superstardom as the face of golf around the globe, Arnold was the American Dream come to life.”

"We won't forget him,” golfer Randy Packer said. “We won't forget him, what he's done for golf."

PGA officials said it's too early to tell how Palmer will be honored at next year's championship at Quail Hollow.
 
"Our sport and our country lost a legend, but Arnold Palmer will live on in our hearts forever," PGA officials said.

Palmer was 87.

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