The AQUARIUS Golf Legend: Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus – the standard to which golf is held by the most objective of measures – his record. He is without a doubt the greatest player who ever lived. He combined tremendous physical ability with the mental resources to outthink not just the obstacles he found on the course but his competition as well. In the heat of a major he may be the best ever at course management down the stretch but his ultimate genius may be in never beating himself. His style was a combination of explosive shotmaking and mental fortitude that had him doing what he had to do to win – even while not playing his best.

Nicklaus was born on January 21, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio. The son of a pharmacist, he was introduced to golf by his father at an early age, and was quickly recognized as a prodigy. He won the 1956 Ohio State Open at age 16 and three years later defeated Charlie Coe in an exciting U.S Amateur. He almost won the U.S. Open as an amateur in 1960, finishing 2nd and won the amateur again at Pebble Beach in 1961.

Bursting onto the pro scene at the tender age of 22, Nicklaus was a compact, crew cut powerhouse of 215 pounds that was about to take the world of golf to a level where it had never been. He became the longest controlled driver the game had ever seen as well as the most accurate long-iron player. His technique and strength also allowed him to escape from the deep rough of a major championship venue with more power and control than his opponents. A particularly devastating putter, Nicklaus rarely missed inside 10 feet and by 1967 he had won seven major championships.

While playing the PGA TOUR, Nicklaus won the money title a total of eight times, twice while only playing in 16 events. Between 1962 and 1979, he finished in the top ten in 243 of the 357 official events he played in, an astonishing 68%!

"As a teenager smitten with golf, I can remember rooting against 'fat Jack' and 'Nicklouse' when he was trouncing my idol at the time, Arnold Palmer. While never going so far to use those derogatory terms myself it was hard to watch someone dominate my hero the way Nicklaus did. Nevertheless, a funny thing happened; I began to respect the awesome talent of the man and to pull for him every week. Year after year, he did not disappoint me. And just when you think the man is over the hill he does something like win the Masters - at the age of 46!"
-- Par

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