Day in the life of Jack Nicklaus: Golden Bear stays busy at Memorial Tournament | Oller
By the time Jack Nicklaus congratulates the winner of the Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club, he will have had ample practice shaking hands. On Wednesday alone, the Golden Bear from Upper Arlington greeted well over 200 individuals as he traversed the 220 acres of the golf course. His busy day included…
By the time Jack Nicklaus congratulates the winner of the Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club, he will have had ample practice shaking hands. On Wednesday alone, the Golden Bear from Upper Arlington greeted well over 200 individuals as he traversed the 220 acres of the golf course. His busy day included meet-and-greets, photo sessions, autograph signings, ceremonies, lunch, board meetings, and dinner. Remarkably, Nicklaus showed no signs of fatigue, an impressive feat for the 84-year-old golfing legend.
“Jack is truly energized by this event,” said Judy Rankin, the 2019 Memorial honoree. “It means so much to him that he chooses to ignore any tiredness.”
Despite his age, Nicklaus displays a vitality that rivals men in their 60s. Having shadowed him from morning until late afternoon, I found myself in need of a nap, whereas Jack showed no signs of slowing down. His prime golfing years may be behind him, but his legacy remains strong. Nicklaus is celebrated as golf’s greatest champion, having won a record 18 major championships. He is also the visionary behind the Memorial Tournament, a dedicated philanthropist who has raised millions for children’s hospitals, and a jovial needler who enjoys playful banter with those he likes.
The day began with Jack and his wife, Barbara, known locally as the First Lady of Golf, arriving at the practice putting green to meet officials, parents, and children involved in the Play Yellow initiative. This program, a collaboration between the Nicklauses, the PGA Tour, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, raises funds for local children’s hospitals.
Nicklaus listened intently as Jimmy Smith, whose 16-year-old daughter Madison passed away from colorectal cancer, shared his story. “The heartache never fades, but events like this provide some solace,” Smith said. Nicklaus then engaged PGA Tour player and Play Yellow spokesperson Denny McCarthy in a discussion about the Masters, a tournament he won six times. Moving on, Jack interacted with kids, his favorite audience, lighting up as nine young patients from Nationwide Children’s Hospital swarmed around him. He signed their shirts, hats, and anything else they offered.
Taking a seat with the children, Jack asked, “How long do you think I’ve been married?” After a child guessed 50 years, Nicklaus revealed, “It’s been 64 years.” An adult commented on how happy he looked, to which Jack replied with a grin, “We’re working on it,” giving Barbara’s leg a pat.
Among the children was Hayden Laycock, a 15-year-old with a congenital heart block. Jack, who has his own health challenges, bonded with Laycock. “He’s pretty cool,” said the teen, acknowledging Nicklaus as the Tiger Woods of his era.
Many of the kids see only an elderly man in a gray sports coat and tangerine tie, unaware that the ground they stand on, once forest and farmland, might be a shopping mall if not for Nicklaus. In 1966, he chose to build a championship golf course in his hometown, creating a venue that attracts the world’s best players. Reflecting on his success, Nicklaus humbly noted, “If I had missed about 10 five-foot putts, none of this would be here.”
As Nicklaus made his way to the 16th green following the Play Yellow event, he was greeted like royalty, with fans shouting, “Hey, Jack!” and even offering fist bumps. The constant attention seemed gratifying, but one wonders if he ever takes it for granted or finds it exhausting.
The only respite from the adulation came when Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and his wife Nina arrived at the event. Nicklaus was momentarily left alone but didn’t seem to mind. He later conversed with Day, discussing Ohio State quarterbacks and recruiting, topics close to Nicklaus, a former OSU golfer. Despite their busy schedules, Nicklaus and Day found time to chat on a bench dedicated to Jack’s mother, Helen Nicklaus.
Wednesday was also Military Appreciation Day at the Memorial, sponsored by Jobs Ohio. Nicklaus shook hands with numerous veterans, including Bob Patterson, a 76-year-old Medal of Honor recipient. “A lot of my friends served in the military,” Nicklaus told the crowd. “We may not understand what you went through, but we appreciate the results of your service.”
Jack shared a brief history of Muirfield Village, mentioning that it cost $2.5 million to build. When asked about the future of the Memorial Tournament, he optimistically pointed skyward, indicating his hope for continued growth.
By 11:35 a.m., Jack and Barbara were back in their golf cart, heading to the clubhouse for lunch at the Captain’s Grill. Inside, Nicklaus mingled with golf luminaries like Rickie Fowler and members of the Captains Club, including Judy Rankin, Hale Irwin, and Andy North. After lunch, he joined a procession of golf dignitaries, including PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, to the driving range for a ceremony honoring LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster.
Despite temperatures soaring into the mid-80s, Nicklaus showed no discomfort. After the ceremony, he attended a Captains Club meeting and a dinner that lasted until 9 p.m. Only then did his 14-hour day come to an end, as the Bear finally took a well-deserved rest for the night.