– Grantland Rice (one
of the best sports writer of 20th century) wrote it in The Saturday Evening
Post in 1940. But Nicklaus did handle his game better than what Rice
predicted. He has been
better on all the golf grounds.
Designer
The man with a plethora of records has
contributed to many other avenues a golfer can beget. He put in his best and along with
Put Pierman, a fellow graduate at Ohio, managed to set up a company called Golden Bear
Golf. Off the course, the Nicklaus organization’s global business includes golf
course design, development, licensing, event management and giving instructions. Till
date, almost 300 tournaments have been staged on as many as 60 Nicklaus courses.
Growing up amid the beautiful surroundings of the course – Scioto,
he had developed interest in designing golf courses.
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This expertise evolved over the years as he consulted many experts. Nicklaus believes that every golf course should be unique. Nicklaus takes care to retain the natural beauty of all his grounds. He aims to enrich its natural characteristics like lakes, streams, vegetation and other interesting sites.
Golf Digest ranked 12 of his designs among ‘America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ in 1993. The same year he was awarded ‘Architect of the Year’ by Golf World. "I’ve got about 190," Nicklaus said, "and they’re like children. They’re all equal." But he still has preferences. The three he likes to play on are Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. Nicklaus has a good winning history on these grounds. Valhalla is also dear to him though sans the histories like the other three. |
Tiger on Jack
"The greatest of all time.
A champion’s champion : He showed us how to play." – Tiger Woods.
For him it was Nicklaus – the source of inspiration in golf. When
Tiger was 15, Nicklaus was conducting a clinic at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles.
Tiger was a part of that ball-striking exhibition. This Nicklaus disciple had an apt
opportunity to display the few skills he had mastered. He hit a few hooks, slices, low
shots, high fades and impressed Nicklaus. Few compliments were sure to follow, Nicklaus
said : "Tiger, when I grow up I want to have a swing as beautiful as yours."
Tiger was highly influenced by Nicklaus. He believed that one must have
a clear picture of greatness, if one wants to be the greatest and for him greatness was
Jack Nicklaus. After shaking hands with Jack he said : "I guess meeting greatness had
elevating power." Then onwards, he measured himself. Nicklaus’ record was what he
wanted to start with. For the purpose he had cut the article from the paper and tucked it
above his bed. This was a barometer that helped him to shoot up. |
