Arnold Palmer Family Tree: The Story Behind Golf's King

Arnold Daniel Palmer (1929–2016), born 10 September 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA, and died 25 September 2016 in Pittsburgh, PA, was an American golf legend — 7 Major Championships (4 Masters, 1 US Open, 2 Opens); 62 PGA Tour wins (5th all-time); founded the Arnold Palmer Invitational and lent his name to the "Arnold Palmer" iced-tea+lemonade drink.

The Family's Roots: A Latrobe Golf Family

The Palmer family lived on the Latrobe Country Club, where his father worked.

His Parents

Father: Milfred "Deacon" Palmer (1904–1976) — Latrobe Country Club professional and groundskeeper.

Mother: Doris Morrison Palmer — homemaker.

His Siblings

Cheech Palmer (b. 1938); Sandy Palmer; Jerry Palmer.

His First Wife: Winnie Walzer

Winifred "Winnie" Walzer Palmer (1934–1999) — married Arnold on 20 December 1954; died 20 November 1999 of ovarian cancer.

Their Children

Peggy Palmer Wears, born 1956 — daughter.

Amy Palmer Saunders, born 1958 — daughter.

His Second Wife: Kit Gawthrop

Kathleen "Kit" Gawthrop — American. Married Arnold on 15 January 2005.

The Palmer Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Milfred "Deacon" Palmer (1904–1976) — Latrobe CC pro.

Mother: Doris Morrison Palmer.

Siblings: Cheech; Sandy; Jerry.

First Wife: Winnie Walzer (m. 20 December 1954, d. 20 November 1999).

Second Wife: Kit Gawthrop (m. 15 January 2005).

Daughters: Peggy (b. 1956); Amy (b. 1958).

6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren.

Arnold Palmer:

  • Born 10 September 1929, Latrobe
  • Wake Forest University (golf scholarship — friend Bud Worsham died in car accident 1950)
  • US Coast Guard 1950-53
  • US Amateur Champion 1954
  • Turned pro 1954
  • 7 Major Championships: Masters (1958, 60, 62, 64), US Open (1960), Open (1961, 62)
  • 62 PGA Tour wins (5th all-time)
  • Ryder Cup: 6× player, 2× captain
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2004
  • Congressional Gold Medal: 2012
  • Died: 25 September 2016, Pittsburgh — heart complications at 87

What the Palmer Family Story Teaches Us

A golf-club-pro father. A homemaker mother. Three siblings. A first marriage of 45 years that ended when Winnie died in 1999. A second marriage in 2005. Two daughters, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. A career that produced 7 Majors and made golf a mass-appeal sport.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the King story carries the same lesson. Some careers turn a country-club-son into golf's most-beloved figure.

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