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Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, retired from professional golf in 2024. Saunders, who had over 300 PGA Tour-sanctioned starts in his 15-year career, announced his retirement at the age of 37. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family and a wish to carry on his grandfather's legacy as reasons for his decision. Saunders joined the Arnold Palmer Group as vice president of partnerships, where he continues to be involved in the game of golf and contribute to philanthropic efforts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sam Saunders |
| Profession | Golfer |
| Date of Birth | 30 July 1987 |
| Retirement Announcement | August 2024 |
| Age at Retirement | 37 |
| Career Length | 15 years |
| Career Starts | 300+ |
| Reason for Retirement | Spend more time with family, begin next chapter |
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What You'll Learn
Sam Saunders' retirement announcement
Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, has announced his retirement from professional golf. Saunders made the announcement on social media, revealing that he had played his final round as a professional golfer after a 15-year career.
The 37-year-old made over 300 PGA Tour-sanctioned starts in his career, including eight on the PGA Tour, with a best finish of 15th at Pebble Beach. He also competed on the Nationwide Tour, where he finished tenth in Panama. Despite his impressive career, Saunders shared that he had not achieved his playing goals and that his decision to retire was made easier by the desire to spend more time with his family.
In his retirement announcement, Saunders expressed excitement for the next chapter of his life, stating that he would always remain involved in the game of golf. He thanked his supporters and acknowledged the impact of his wife's unwavering support and their children, stating:
> "You and our boys give me the ultimate purpose in life. This may be the end of this chapter but I think the best is yet to come."
Following his retirement, Saunders has joined the Arnold Palmer Group as vice president of partnerships, where he will contribute to building upon his grandfather's legacy and philanthropic efforts. He shared his enthusiasm for being part of a team and helping to grow the game of golf.
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His career in golf
Sam Saunders, born on July 30, 1987, in Orlando, Florida, is the grandson of Arnold Palmer. Saunders attended high school at Trinity Prep in Winter Park, Florida. As a senior, he won his second club championship at Bay Hill Club and Lodge by seventeen strokes, which earned him an invitation to the 2006 PGA Tour event hosted by his grandfather. He attended Clemson University in South Carolina, skipping his senior season to turn pro in 2009.
In 2011, Saunders played a total of 13 events – eight on the PGA Tour, with a best finish of 15th at Pebble Beach – and the Nationwide Tour, where he finished tenth in Panama. That same year, he made it to the final stage of the tour's qualifying school but finished tied for 109th and did not earn a PGA Tour card. Over his career, Saunders made more than 150 career starts on both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, with 320 starts at PGA Tour-sanctioned events.
Saunders announced his retirement from professional golf in August 2024 at the age of 37, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and focus on the next chapter of his life. He joined the Arnold Palmer Group as vice president of partnerships, aiming to build upon his grandfather's legacy and philanthropic efforts. Despite his retirement, Saunders remains involved in the game of golf and continues to support the growth of the sport.
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His grandfather, Arnold Palmer
In August 2024, Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, announced his retirement from professional golf. Saunders, who is married with two children, cited a desire to be home more often as the primary reason for his decision.
Saunders' grandfather, Arnold Palmer, was one of the most beloved golfers in the history of the game, winning 62 PGA Tour titles and eight majors during his career. Palmer's success and fame cast a long shadow over Saunders' own golfing career, with the younger man acknowledging the pressure and challenges of being Palmer's grandson. Despite this, Saunders expressed pride in carrying on his grandfather's legacy and always handled the situation with aplomb.
Saunders was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and showed early promise in golf. As a senior in high school, he won his second club championship at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, earning him an invitation to the 2006 PGA Tour event hosted by his grandfather. After attending Clemson University in South Carolina, Saunders skipped his senior season to turn pro in 2009. Over his 15-year career, he made more than 150 career starts on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, with four runner-up finishes. However, he never won a PGA Tour event and struggled with consistency, missing the cut in many of his starts.
Following his retirement, Saunders joined the Arnold Palmer Group as vice president of partnerships, aiming to build upon his grandfather's legacy and philanthropic efforts. He remains involved in golf through this role and continues to support and be an ambassador for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, an annual tournament bearing his grandfather's name.
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His family life
Sam Saunders is the grandson of Arnold Palmer, one of the most beloved golfers in the history of the game. Saunders was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and his parents are Roy and Amy (Palmer) Saunders. His mother, Amy, is the younger daughter of Arnold and Winnie Palmer.
Saunders attended high school at Trinity Prep in Winter Park, Florida, and as a senior, he won his second club championship at Bay Hill Club and Lodge—an achievement that earned him an invitation to the 2006 PGA Tour event hosted by his grandfather. Following high school, Saunders attended Clemson University in South Carolina, where he skipped his senior season to turn pro.
Saunders has been open about the blessings and challenges of his family connection to the legendary golfer. He has expressed that he wanted a man-to-man relationship with his grandfather, rather than a typical granddad-to-grandchild dynamic. Over time, Saunders came to embrace his familial role and proudly spoke about his grandfather's influence on him.
In August 2024, Saunders retired from professional golf at the age of 37. He made the announcement on social media, reflecting on his 15-year career and expressing gratitude for the opportunities and relationships cultivated through the sport. Saunders cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a primary reason for his retirement. He is married to Kelly, and they have two sons, Cohen and Ace, residing in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Following his retirement, Saunders joined the family business, the Arnold Palmer Group, as vice president of partnerships. He remains closely involved with the Arnold Palmer Invitational and actively supports the growth of the game he loves.
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His post-golf career
Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, retired from professional golf in August 2024 at the age of 37. In a social media post, Saunders reflected on his 15-year career, which included over 300 PGA Tour-sanctioned starts, expressing excitement for the next chapter of his life. He joined the Arnold Palmer Group as vice president of partnerships, aiming to continue his grandfather's legacy and philanthropic efforts.
Saunders' decision to retire from golf was influenced by his desire to spend more time with his family, including his wife, Kelly, and their sons, Cohen and Ace. He also wanted to remain involved in the game of golf and contribute to its growth. Joining the Arnold Palmer Group allowed him to achieve this balance, as the family owns Bay Hill, where the API is held, and Saunders had previously served as a supporter and ambassador for the tournament.
As vice president of partnerships, Saunders collaborates with his mother, Amy Palmer Saunders, who serves as chairperson of the Arnold Palmer Group, and his father, Roy Saunders, who holds the position of vice president in the company. The organisation focuses on various initiatives, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation, and the Arnold Palmer Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition for college players.
Saunders' transition to the Arnold Palmer Group marks a natural progression, enabling him to leverage his extensive golf experience while exploring new avenues for personal and professional growth. He embraces the opportunity to be part of a team and contribute to the organisation's mission, honouring his grandfather's legacy while forging his own path in the world of golf and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sam Saunders retired from professional golf in August 2024.
Saunders retired from golf to spend more time with his family. He also stated that he was excited to start the next chapter of his life.
Saunders had a 15-year career as a golfer, making over 300 starts at PGA Tour-sanctioned events. He made more than 150 career starts on both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. However, he stated that he never reached his playing goals.
After retiring from golf, Saunders joined the Arnold Palmer Group, a family business that aims to build upon his grandfather Arnold Palmer's legacy and philanthropic efforts. He took on the role of vice president of partnerships.
Yes, Sam Saunders is the grandson of Arnold Palmer, a renowned golfer who was one of the most beloved golfers in the history of the sport. Saunders is also the son of Amy Palmer Saunders, Arnold's daughter, and Roy Saunders, who is a vice president at the Arnold Palmer Group.
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