Remembering Arnold Palmer and his lasting impact on the Greater Orlando community

On September 25, the usually sunny skies around Greater Orlando grew noticeably dimmer with the passing of a legend—not just to the game of golf, but to the community that he adopted as his own. The man in question was Arnold Palmer, and while the world knows what he meant to the sport he dominated for so many years, he meant a great deal more to locals.

“I am saddened by the passing of Arnold Palmer,” says Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “He was not only one of the greatest golfers of all time, but also a generous man who gave so much to charitable causes in our community. I am proud he will live on in Orlando in the people’s lives he touched and through the great legacy he leaves.”

Similarly, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says his presence will be sorely missed. “I join the nation and Central Florida in mourning the loss of legendary golfer and beloved community philanthropist Arnold Palmer,” she says. “He was a giant of golf and giving—truly a life well lived.”

His importance and fame notwithstanding, Palmer reportedly remained a man of the people till the end. “Mr. Palmer was always gracious and kind,” says Orlando resident and Bay Hill Club & Lodge member Shannon Bentley Brown. “He talked to my kids, took pictures with them, and signed autographs for them. He also did the same for all of my guests and clients that I took to the club.”

Whether through charitable efforts, lending his name and influence to local hospitals, advancing the sport that was so vital to him and the Orlando area, or just being an all-around good guy, the King was in our corner for decades—and his contributions will be felt for a long time to come.

To Our Health

For all of Palmer’s importance to the game of golf, many women and children might know him better as the man who helped build the hospitals that saved them. “The feeling of sorrow we are all experiencing today is indescribable as we mourn the loss of Arnold Palmer,” says John Bozard, president of Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. “He was a legend on the golf course, but his greatest legacy is as a champion for the health of children and families.”

Palmer’s relationship with Central Florida healthcare began in the early 1980s, when he first visited the neonatal intensive care unit at Orlando Health Regional Medical Center. Dr. Gregor Alexander, part of a group of doctors who had a vision for a world-class hospital for women and children in Orlando, was one of the first physicians to meet Palmer and his wife Winnie during those early visits.

“Mr. Palmer was always extraordinarily committed to making sure we were able to provide the best, most advanced care to our patients,” says Dr. Alexander. “He was truly inspirational to us as caregivers, and we remain thankful to him for his kindness and generosity.”

In September 1989, the Palmers cut the ribbon on the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women & Children, now known as the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. In 2006, seven years after Winnie’s passing, the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies opened. Together with the Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, they comprise the Arnold Palmer Medical Center, which is the largest facility in the country dedicated to the care of women and children.

“[Palmer] was a champion on the course, and a true leader,” says Jacobs. “He defined how ‘celebrity’ could impact the greater good, and today, generations of Arnold & Winnie Palmer moms, dads and babies are living healthy and happy lives—a tribute to his glorious spirit and generous heart.”

Palmer visited these hospitals many times through the years, and reportedly always made time to speak with patients, their families, and hospital staff members. But no matter how important the facilities were to him, they were even more important to the people they served. At Palmer’s memorial service in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for instance, golfer Annika Sörenstam discussed how Winnie Palmer Hospital saved the life of her son Will, who was born there 27 weeks prematurely. “There is no doubt without this wonderful hospital, his staff and, of course, Arnold’s vision, our little man Will would not have made it.”

Indeed, these hospitals have saved and improved the lives of countless residents and visitors from all over the world—and they’ll continue to play an important role in healthcare for the foreseeable future. “Mr. Palmer lived an incredible life and accomplished so much,” says David Strong, president and CEO of Orlando Health. “He was a transformational figure in the history of Orlando and has touched the lives of so many families through the hospitals he and his late wife, Winnie, started many years ago.”

Arnie’s Army

It’s said that charity begins at home, so it should come as no surprise that Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation—named after Palmer’s rabid fan base—is headquartered right here in the legend’s adopted hometown. Its goal is to invest in the well-being and development of children and youth, support health and wellness initiatives, and strengthen communities and the environment.

“Arnold and Winnie Palmer had a great love for the Orlando community and its most vulnerable citizens: babies, children and women,” says Kevin Bingham, the organization’s CEO. “The Palmer legacy will continue through the continued commitment and support of the Arnold Palmer Hospital and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

“When the Palmers toured the children’s hospital almost 40 years ago, he is remembered for saying, ‘We can do better.’ That will be the charge of Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation moving forward.”

Many options are available for those who want to join Arnie’s Army and support a great cause. In addition to private and corporate donations, the organization also hosts several charitable events each year that provide partnership opportunities, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Other signature events include the Arnold Palmer Cup, Champions for Arnold’s Kids, and Arnie’s March Against Children’s Cancer.

“The sports world will remember Mr. Palmer as one of America’s great golfers,” says Marci Doyle Baker, COO of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “His fans, friends and family will remember him as a great leader, philanthropist, entrepreneur, mentor and loving father, grandfather and husband. His impact on our lives is immeasurable and will continue to be felt through his legacy.”

A Gentle Giant

You can’t discuss Palmer without bringing up golf, and for good reason. Not only was he a master of playing the game, but he was also an expert at designing courses. In addition to Bay Hill, Palmer—who was a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects—and the Arnold Palmer Design Company gave our region courses at Windermere’s Isleworth Golf and Country Club, Kissimmee’s Legends at Orange Lake, the Reunion Resort & Club, and The Village’s Palmer Legends Country Club.

All told, he and his company designed more than 300 golf courses in 37 U.S. states, 25 countries and five continents—which either means a lot of good times or a lot of frustration, depending on how you view the game.

One might think that a man who was hailed as the King of golf, who had made a fortune playing and designing the game he loved—and even had a popular beverage named after him—might have gotten a little full of himself through the years. But according to people who interacted with him on a regular basis, he remained friendly, approachable and warm till the end.

“I think Mr. Palmer inspired everyone to be humble, generous, hard-working and grateful,” says Brown. “He was truly humble and had an amazing impact on everyone around him.”

“My son Nick remembers one time when Mr. Palmer was very busy with autographs and pictures,” Brown continues. “Nick just went over to say ‘hi’ and shake his hand. Mr. Palmer smiled very wide. He was always gracious and friendly. … This will truly be a sad fall/winter at the club without Mr. Palmer. The employees loved him, too, and were extremely sad when receiving news of his death. Our club already seems empty without his presence.”

So, no matter who you are or how long you’ve lived in Greater Orlando, there’s a good chance that Palmer impacted your life in some way. Maybe it was a friend or family member who was helped by one of his hospitals, maybe it was through living in an improved community thanks to Arnie’s Army—or maybe it was just from someone paying Palmer’s legendary kindness forward.

As golfer Jack Nicklaus said at Palmer’s memorial service: “Remember when Arnold Palmer touched your life, touched your heart. And please don’t forget why.”

Published and copyrighted in Orlando Family Magazine (November 2016).