Arnold Palmer's illustrious career and lasting legacy in a snapshot

From that first event to his death at age 87, it truly was good to be The King

By Kyle Porter

Sep 25, 2016 at 11:41 pm ET • 1 min read

Arnold Palmer died on Sunday at the age of 87, just weeks after celebrating his final birthday.

This is obviously sad news, but it's also an opportunity to celebrate one of the great lives in sports history. Let's look back at all that Palmer accomplished in his 87 years on this planet.

Born September 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Attends Wake Forest beginning in 1947 and becomes No. 1 player on Demon Deacons team.
Leaves school in 1950 to serve in United States Coast Guard.
Wins U.S. Amateur in 1954, the same year he married his first wife Winnie Walzer.
Turns pro in 1954 and signs with Wilson Sporting Goods.
Wins first PGA Tour event at the 1955 Canadian Open.
Wins first major championship at the 1958 Masters.
"Arnie's Army" is born in 1960 when Palmer wins his second major at the 1960 Masters.
His third, and maybe most famous, major comes at the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills. Palmer shoots 65 in the final round to beat then-amateur Jack Nicklaus.
Wins British Open at Royal Birkdale in 1961.
Loses the 1962 U.S. Open to Nicklaus at Oakmont which is close to his home of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Wins Masters and British Open at Royal Troon in 1962. His fifth and sixth majors.
Wins final major championship by six strokes over Nicklaus and Dave Marr at 1964 Masters.
Starts Arnold Palmer Design Company in mid 1960s. Company has designed over 300 courses.

#ArnoldPalmer won 7 majors from 1958 through 1964. No other player won more than 3 during that span. #TheKingForever
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) September 26, 2016

Becomes president and principal owner of Bay Hill Club and Lodge in 1970.
Becomes president and owner of Latrobe Country Club in 1971.
Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Plays final U.S. Open in 1994.
Helps launch Golf Channel in 1995.
Begins mass-producing the "Arnold Palmer" iced tea-lemonade drink in 2001.
Plays final Masters in 2004. It was his 50th consecutive appearance.
Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.
Receives Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.
Hits final ceremonial tee shot at Masters in 2015.

The Big Three hit their tee shots as Honorary Starters. The 2015 Masters has officially begun. #themasters https://t.co/lDuzNvKmYf
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 9, 2015