Thanks, Jack

I watched Jack Nicklaus' final few competitive holes this afternoon.

I have to admit to having a lump in my throat watching him coming down the last and when that birdie putt fell I jumped out my seat just as high as when Lyle rolled that final putt in at Augusta in '88.

I am probably a member of the last generation to be influenced by the great man. I am old enough (30) to have read new editions of his great instruction books (most of which I own, theres a few of them) and through it all I find the most remarkable thing is that I learned very little about striking a golf ball from Jack.

What I did learn was the mental approach to the game, the strategy and the importance of course management and above all else self management. There are times when I have not been hitting the ball at all well and the principles I learned in his books have saved a score for me. Most importantly, when I have blown a score I look back and realise that I did all the things he said not to.

Perhaps the enduring memory of Jack Nicklaus will be different for different people there are so many to choose from.

Hand aloft on the 16th green at Augusta in 86 as the putt falls
The putter sailing into the air after the playoff at St Andrews in 1970
The unexpected handshake offered to Tony Jacklin upon conceding the 3 foot putt at Birkdale in 1969.....the list goes on but those are three of my favourites

The last mentioned there perhaps the most generous gesture ever made on a golf course with so much at stake. It embodied the man and it embodied his vision of how a player should play the game. He shaped the commercialism of the modern era as much as Palmer and yet he remained above it. He continues to be the standard for all golfers. Tiger chases his record and may one day match or even break it (or someone else might, for that matter) but for now Jack Nicklaus is the greatest and for me will remain so.

Thanks, Jack, may all the rounds you play from now on bring as much pleasure to you as the ones before gave to us.

__________________
Longniddry Golf Club Champ 2005.

In the Taylor Made Bag:

Callaway FT-3 Tour 9.5 Aldila NV 65S

Callaway Steelhead 3 Wood

Callaway Steelhead 5 Wood

Callaway X-16 3-PW

MacGregor Tourney 52 Degree

Cobra Phil Rodgers 59 Degree Rusty

Odyssey DFX 2-Ball

Callaway Tour iX

Unfortunately, my young age has prevented me from seeing this great man play the game that he defines. I can though appreciate all things that he has done for it. I will always remember him as the greatest golfer. I also celebrated when the bird dropped at the last hole, just as my heart sunk when he ballooned that 5i on the 17th. Great way to end the greatest career in the game, just a shame he didn't play with Tiger.

Congratulations Mizunoman not only on your club championship but also on your excellent tribute to Jack Nicklaus. Here, here!

One of the things I really appreciated about Nicklaus was the way he was prepared to travel the world to spread the gospel of golf. I had the pleasure of seeing him play (and Player, Palmer and Trevino) several times in Australia. It seems some of the modern players make plenty of money on the Tour and see little reason to travel elsewhere other than the fame of trying to pick up another major ie the Open. Thank goodness Jack was not like that. A great golfer and a great man.