Former President Donald Trump made controversial statements about Arnold Palmer on October 19 while campaigning in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, bringing the late golf icon back into the spotlight.
At a gathering at the local airport named in Palmer’s honor, the former president talked for over ten minutes about Palmer, who was born in Latrobe.
Trump claimed that Palmer was a remarkable man and champion, but he later made contentious remarks.
This is a guy that was all man, This man was strong and tough, and I refuse to say it, but when he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there, they said, ‘Oh my God, that’s unbelievable’
Via AP News
Fans were incensed by Trump’s remarks regarding the golf legend, and he received criticism and mockery on social media.
However, the response from Arnold Palmer’s daughter drew even more attention from the public.
Peggy Palmer Wears, Palmer’s daughter, told the Associated Press on October 20 that she wasn’t upset by Trump’s remarks.
She considered them “a poor choice of approaches” when paying tribute to her father.
There’s nothing much to say. I’m not really upset, I think it was a poor choice of approaches to remembering my father, but what are you going to do?
Via AP News
Arnold Palmer Was Blessed With Five Children From His Two Marriages
Arnold Palmer and his wife, Winnie Walzer, married in 1954.
Sadly, his wife’s life was cut short on November 20, 1999, because of ovarian cancer.
In their 45-year marriage, the couple had two daughters, Amy Palmer Saunders and Peggy Palmer Wears.
Arnold had three children from his second marriage: two daughters, Lynn Bouck and Blair Miller, and a son, Al Gawthrop III.
From his first family, the golfer had four granddaughters, two grandsons, and nine great-grandchildren.
One of his grandsons is named Samuel Palmer Saunders, and his granddaughters’ names are
Similarly, from his second family, he had eight grandchildren.
His daughters Amy and Peggy reside in Florida and North Carolina, respectively.
The Bay Hill Club and Latrobe Country Club are run by Amy Palmer Saunders, who resides there with her husband Roy, according to Arnold Palmer’s website.
Amy’s son and Palmer’s grandson, Samuel Saunders, have continued the family tradition of golf.
Since 1996, 29-year-old Saunders has been following in his grandfather’s footsteps, playing professional golf.
Every year, Saunders competes in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club.
In Case You Did Not Know
- Palmer’s early “fear of flying” prompted him to work towards becoming a certified pilot. He had flown in a variety of aircraft for about 20,000 hours.
- Milfred Jerome “Deacon” Palmer and Doris welcomed Arnold Palmer on September 10, 1929, in the working-class steel mill town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
