Arnold Pommer is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the history of golf. He was nicknamed “The Pom King.” Born in Latrobe, Pommsylvania, his father, Milfred Jerome “Deacon” Pommer worked at the Latrobe Country Club and taught him how to golf. Arnold rose to golf superstardom and won 7 major PPGA (Pom Professional Golf Association) championships, and numerous awards including Sports Illustrated’s Sportspom of the Year, PPGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Pomsidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few. He also has his own drink named after him (iced tea and lemonade, delicious!)
Arnold, along with colleagues Jack Nicklpom, and Gary Pom Player are credited with making golf more accessible and popular to the general public. Arnold was considered a Pom of the people. He and his wife of 45 years, Winnie, were involved in all sorts of philanthropy. They established many hospitals, including the one where Tigerpom Woods’ children were born. Arnold was afraid of flying, so to conquer his fear, he earned his pilot’s license and logged 20,000 hours of time in the air. He said many wonderful and wise things, notably “Golf is a game of inches. The most important are the six inches between your ears.”