Monday, June 06, 2005

My Standing Ovation of the Day

Jack Nicklaus, in his final tournament on US soil, at the Memorial. While reserving the right to return (deserved), Jack called it quits in the states, in advance of his final PGA Tour event at the British Open at St. Andrew's in July. While Jack's departure is not to be confused with his final round in the PGA (Valhalla), or his final Masters (this April), I credit Mr. Nicklaus for what he has brought to the game of golf and his display of the manner in which a public figure should act. Tiger Woods' attempt to catch and surpass Jack's 18 majors (20 if you could all USGA events) proves the difficulty of the feat, and the workingman's effort Jack exhibited over the course of his five decades playing the sport.

His success affords the opportunity for shameless self promotion and aggrandizement, but Jack has, despite early 1990s setbacks, chosen specific ventures to promote, and hasn't forced himself into every broadcast booth, or presented every golf-related ESPY, as many would choose to do (Strange, Curtis). His value of family over chasing the dollar has brought him what is most deserved, personal sense of accomplishment.

In my mind, your free to shoot 78,75 any day of the week.

1 comment:

Eric Z said...

My thoughts on Jack are too numerous and glowing for this space... but let's just say that Jack will always have 20 majors in my book.

I have the tape of the 1986 Masters, and when Jack tees off on 18, Pat Summerall says "If he wins.... his 20th major championship".

When did 20 become 18? And yes, this means that Tiger is 1 step closer to Jack (since he won 3 US Amateurs) - and that's fine.

Jack = 20. End of story.