Arnold Palmer's grandson dishes on his new career post-retirement
When Sam Saunders announced on social media in August that he had played his final round as a professional golfer after a 15-year career, the 37-year-old grandson of Arnold Palmer didn't make clear what he planned to do next other than to say 'he was excited for the next chapter in his life' and 'would always be involved in this great game of golf that has given him so much.'
Saunders, who made more than 150 career starts on both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, didn't have to look too far to start the next chapter of his life. In November, he joined the Arnold Palmer Group, whose mission is to build upon his grandfather's legacy and philanthropic efforts, as vice president of partnerships.
'It's been a learning process,' he told Golfweek. 'We have so many good things going between the tournament (Arnold Palmer Invitational), Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation and the Arnold Palmer Cup (a Ryder Cup-style competition between college players from the U.S. and an international team representing the rest of the world). We have some exciting things coming in Latrobe (where Palmer was raised and the family owns the golf course and club where his father worked and taught him the game). I played an individual sport my whole life so for me to be part of a team and help in any way that I can to help these great people that are working for the organization has been pretty cool.'
320 @PGATOUR-sanctioned starts,four runner-up finishes, and a lifetime of memories.What a career for Sam Saunders 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Z9HpFCPwdu
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 17, 2024
Palmer, who won eight majors and died in 2016, was one of the most beloved golfers in the history of the game. His daughter, Amy, who is the mother of Saunders, serves as chairperson of APG and Roy Saunders, Sam's father, is a vice president of the company too. (Among the assets the family owns is Bay Hill, where the API is held.) Sam Saunders had been a supporter and ambassador of the tournament in the past, and said he wasn't sure exactly what his role would be when he retired in August, but called it a natural progression to become more involved.
'It's good to still be very much involved in the game of golf. I love golf and I just want to help it grow and still be a great game in the future,' he said.
Being home more with wife Kelly and sons Cohen, 16, and Ace, 11, was the primary reason that he hung up his spikes after enduring the worst season of his professional career. He had made just four cuts last season on the Korn Ferry Tour and missed the cut in nine of his last 10 starts. Asked how he's been enjoying retirement, he laughed and said, 'It's been hardly that.'
Saunders flew to Orlando on Friday to prep with tournament organizers for the annual tournament at Bay Hill Lodge & Club that bears his grandfather's name and begins on Monday. He will assume a larger role doing everything from pro-am appearances to media availability to a broadcast role during the early TV window on Golf Channel, the network his grandfather co-founded, on Saturday and Sunday, something he has dabbled in before. Saunders said he will also do TV for the upcoming telecasts of PGA Tour opposite field events in the Dominican Republic and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
'It's nice to stay connected to the game of golf and that's just another way to stay connected,' he said.
And Saunders said he still is training as if he could compete in the future and didn't shoot down the possibility he could resume his playing career again.
'I don't ever close doors completely,' he said. 'My grandpa left a lot of things behind and I would love to assist in the future, but in no way do I feel like I've closed the door at ever competing in golf again.'
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Sam Saunders begins 'next chapter of his life' at Arnold Palmer Group
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