The death of golf legend Arnold Palmer, despite his age, caught off guard many members of the Middletown High School golf team.

Palmer, nicknamed “The King,” died Sept. 25, at the age of 87 in Pittsburgh.

Palmer had heart problems since the fall of 2015, which ultimately led to his passing. Palmer leaves behind not only a record of success  during his 84 years of golf but the legacy of creating the famous tea and lemonade mix drink named after him.

Edward Roark, MHS varsity golf coach, said he was “stunned.”

“You just have to take a moment to reflect on it,” he added.

Palmer is remembered for having a great impact in the golf world.

Sophomore and member of the MHS varsity golf team Joey Weiland said that Arnold Palmer was not only a role model for him but also a trailblazer in the golf world.

Weiland is inspired by Palmer’s “respect of the game” and said he “believed [Palmer] helped give golf less of an elitist appearance.”

Other golf team members felt similarly.

Fellow sophomore and member of MHS varsity golf team Nic Bradley expressed similar opinions. “Myself and a lot of other golf lovers feel saddened about his passing but look back on his life, remembering how elegant and magnificent it was to watch him,” said Bradley.