Rainbow Appears Over Golf Course Moments After Arnold Palmer’s Ashes Were Spread
Moments after the ashes of golf legend Arnold Palmer were spread in his hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, a rainbow appeared over the course where he learned to play.
An image captured by Gerry Dulac and posted to Twitter shows a beautiful rainbow settled over the Latrobe Country Club.
Palmer was celebrated during a private funeral for close family and friends Thursday. Following the service, a plane took off from the airport that bears his name, taking Palmer’s ashes for one last flyover above his hometown before they were released in the air above the golf course, according to CBS News.
Check out this rainbow over Latrobe. They're calling it Arnie's Rainbow. pic.twitter.com/h9vfwffLBm
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 29, 2016
Dulac noted that the rainbow is being called “Arnie’s Rainbow.”
Chris McKnight caught an image of the same rainbow above a statue of Arnold Palmer at the Laurel Valley Golf Club in nearby Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the world of golf lost a legend last week when he passed away at the age of 87.
Known as a family man, philanthropist, businessman, airplane pilot, legend, inspiration, and friend, Palmer passed away on September 25 in a Pittsburgh hospital from complications related to a heart condition.
A perfect rainbow today over statue of Arnold Palmer, as his ashes were spread around his property in Latrobe PA. pic.twitter.com/6JaLOQ8XMS
— Bob Valvano (@espnVshow) September 29, 2016
Palmer was among an elite group of golfers, known as the “Big Three,” which included Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
The golfer who set the standard won 62 titles on the PGA Tour. His final win was the 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic. He also won four Masters championships: two at the British Open and one in the U.S. Open. He was inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
From humble beginnings, Palmer changed the face of golf. His father was a golf pro at the country club and gifted his son with his first set of clubs at the age of 3. He caddied for some of the best golfers in Pennsylvania before joining his high school team.
Obituary: Arnold Palmer, golfer https://t.co/n6DTz1Wg3K pic.twitter.com/oCtD67OnTb
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) September 30, 2016
Prior to the 1960s, golf was a game reserved for the rich. Palmer influenced a legion of other players from modest backgrounds, changing the perception of the game.
In 2004, Palmer became the first professional golfer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2005, Palmer announced his retirement after being disqualified from participating in the U.S. Open. After 2005, Palmer did not play golf as a pro, but he continued to earn a nice living from endorsements, his ownership of the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, and his part ownership of The Golf Channel.
Palmer has been remembered by a slew of fellow golfers and media outlets devoted to the game, including Golf Digest.
“He looked like an athlete, a prizefighter, a middleweight. He opened golf’s windows and let in some air. He lifted a country-club game, balanced it on his shoulders, carried it to the people and made it a sport. He won big. He lost big. People who didn’t follow golf followed him. People who hated golf loved him. He was photogenic in the old newspapers. He was telegenic in the new medium. He was the most asked question called into the night desks on weekends: ‘What did Palmer do today?'”
United States Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III said Palmer impacted his life and the world of golf.
“When I think of Arnold Palmer, I think of his natural ability to relate to people, the close bond he had with his father, and how when I first came on Tour, he made young professionals like me feel welcome. Like me, Mr. Palmer was born the son of a PGA Professional and was taught by his dad not only the fundamentals but also how to give back to this great game. He leaves an impact on the game and on sports in America that is unmatched. Tonight our country lost a great sportsman, a great American. As we approach the Ryder Cup this week, our team will keep Mr. Palmer and his family in our prayers and will draw from his strength and determination to inspire us.”
Needless to say, Arnold Palmer deserved the fitting end to his saga — a glorious rainbow at the place he called home.
[Featured Image by Chris McKnight/Facebook]