Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really ...
Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really in the humour for writing much at the moment, although I *WILL* be back before too long...Ken
Member since:06.12.2000
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~ ~ It’s hard to believe that this great American golfer, arguably the best who has ever held a golf club, is now over 60 years of age. As a young golf fanatic in the 1960’s, there were three golfers, “The Big Three”, who were head and shoulders above all the others; Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus. They strode the fairways of the world like kings, and between them won more major championships and tour events than any other golfers in the history of the sport.
~ ~ Nicklaus was born in Columbus, Ohio, in January, 1940, and burst onto the golf scene in his late teens, when he won the US Amateur Championship twice. It is fair to say that he was the Tiger Woods of his day, as he hit the ball further and higher than anyone had ever seen before. His sheer strength was awesome to behold, and I can remember being totally thunderstruck when I first saw him playing in the 1970’s. I just couldn’t believe that it was possible for anyone to hit a golf ball so hard and with such venom, and yet at the same time manage to maintain such a high degree of control and accuracy.
~ ~ If you look at the golfing record books then there is simply no denying that he is the greatest golfer of all time. In his career he has amassed no fewer than TWENTY major championships.
Two US Amateur Championships. Six US Masters titles (a record) Four US Open Championships (joint record holder) Five USPGA Championships Three British Open Championships.
As well as the majors, Nicklaus won a total of 70 US Tour events, and represented the USA with pride and honour in no fewer than six Ryder Cup matches against Europe between 1969 and 1981. So when you hear people today talking about Tiger Woods being the greatest golfer ever, you might stop for just a moment to consider the achievements of Nicklaus. Granted Woods is an unbelievable talent, but he has more than a little way to go yet before he even comes close to matching the career record of the man so well nick named “The Golden Bear”.
~ ~ Today he is loved and admired all over the world as probably the greatest ambassador and sportsman in the game, but it is interesting to note that this was not always the case. Indeed, when he first began playing on the USPGA Tour in America, he was actually despised and booed on more than one occasion, as this young “upstart”, overweight and sporting a blond crew-cut, actually began to beat the much loved and respected Arnold Palmer!! Never once did he complain about this treatment, and simply got on with the job at hand, eventually winning around even the most stubborn fans, and eventually becoming the worthy heir to Bobby Jones’s reputation for graciousness and sportsmanship.
~ ~ There are many of Nicklaus’s victories that stick in my mind, but none more so than his final victory in the US Masters at Augusta in 1986. At the age of 46, many considered him to be “over the hill”, and it is true that he was certainly well past his prime, with his best years behind him. But on that glorious afternoon at Augusta he rolled back the years just one last time, and completed the last nine holes in a totally unbelievable 29 shots, seven under par, to become the oldest winner ever of this prestigious title. I will never forget the sheer joy and emotion of watching him play that final round, as he rolled in putt after putt, and struck one perfect shot after another, all the time being lifted and carried by an amazing crowd who were willing him to win with every fibre of their being.
~ ~ What makes this sportsman even more remarkable is that he has always put his wife and family first, while at the same time somehow managing to maintain his playing career, and all his other business commitments such as club and clothes manufacturing and golf course design. The reputation he has acquired as a designer of magnificent new golf courses all over the world is second to none, and he is now more in demand for this skill than he ever was for his ability to actually play the game.
~ ~ Never has a golfer so richly deserved and earned the accolade “Simply the best, better than all the rest”, than this American sportsman and true gentleman.
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A superb opinion on a person who can only be described as a Legend, my lord you are the man when it comes to golf on Ciao, I myself used to play a fair bit but after I met my other half my sunday mornings seem to have changed from standing on greens to peeling greens HELP !.lol anyway once again great op and keep on swinging. Mark
Scotslady 29.05.2001 08:27
Good op :) I like Nicklaus - he always seems such a canny man.
the_grouch 28.05.2001 00:18
A very nice all-purpose review (not so hot though if you think about the Seniors Tour BUT you can forgive Nicklaus....). Any idea 'cujimmy', who this fecker 'king 2001' is? Seems to be a complete prat at best....
very helpful by (100%):
