Arnold Palmer gets star on Palm Springs Walk of Stars

Golf legend Arnold Palmer is now cemented in Palm Springs history. The late king of golf now has a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

A crowd gathered Monday morning to remember and honor his legacy by making Jan. 16 Arnold Palmer Day.

“Arnie (was) known as a humanitarian and not only did he elevate golf, but he also (elevated) the incredible importance of being someone that is an activist for what you believe in,” said Michael Landes the president of Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation. “And he believed in golf and he believed in health and he talked about both.”

Health and wellness become one of Palmer’s passions.

“The core of Arnie Palmer was people and his major thing at the end of his life was ‘I want to tell people how to get healthy’ and one of the ways is for men to get a PSA check. It’s the best ways to find out if you do or don’t have cancer,” Landes said.

His star is right next to his dear friend, former President Dwight Eisenhower.

“It’s an honor for us to put today to be able to put Arnie’s star next to General Eisenhower in front of our center in Palm Springs,” Landes said.

While Palmer rubbed shoulders with presidents and celebrities he never forgot about his fans.

“Very gregarious, very open. When we go out to dinner, it’s always very interesting to watch celebrities. They often turn their backs but Arnold would sit at the table and kick his chair open in a welcoming way,” said John Foster the president and chairman of the board of Desert Classic Charities.

That humility, is something those who knew him will miss dearly and will always remember as they walk by his star.