Jack Nicklaus: At Age 80, He's Still The Standard For Excellence - Dog Leg News

About the author

Tom Edrington

Tom Edrington spent the first 10 years of his misguided youth as a sports writer for the Tampa Tribune. His career brought him face to face with many of sports greatest stars -- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Don Shula, countless Hall of Fame NFL stars, more PGA Tour players than he can count. In 1980 he was honored by the Golf Writers Association of America for writing the best news story that year, his coverage of Jack Nicklaus' U.S. Open victory at Baltusrol. Today, 36 years later, golf is still a great part of his life, thanks to competitive playing days and the wonderful people he has met on this fabulous journey.

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4 Comments

  1. 1

    RM

    Great story, Tom. Jack Nicklaus was one of those iconic figures who exemplified excellence and integrity, and many more fine qualities, in seemingly all aspects of his life.

    I watched a Golf channel Happy Birthday special last night relating to his 18 majors and more. Very well done.

    Stay young, Jack, we all need you around for many more.

    1. 1.1

      Tom Edrington

      As I said, it’s been a privilege to know and write about this man……I’ve seen the superstar side and the very human side as well….

  2. 2

    baxter cepeda

    What a boss.
    Today’s players? Sounds like your boy Hal misplaced his Rules book way back when.
    Not to start something here but….
    Did jack give Hal all his options or did he tell him what to do, which can be advice. ?
    Anyways… great story Tom.
    I cannot believe a pro golfer let a journalist carry their bag.

    Jack may not be “the King” but Meeting Jack and Barbara literally feels like meeting royalty.

    I will forever remember every second of the few seconds spent with Barbara at the par 3. And later Jack seeing Barbara’s Hancock on my daughters Masters hat and saying “you got the boss”.

    I deeply appreciate all of Jacks contributions but none more than his generous instruction. Jack continues giving the best, usable nuggets of instruction.

    Nothing is more fascinating than getting chances to get inside Tiger and Jacks mind. I see tiger giving more and more tidbits these days, although tiger has always given some nuggets to those who listen. I’m sure Jack has influence Tiger more and more in that way. It would be a tragedy for goats like these men to leave this world sans an explanation. Like so many other ways Jack is a leader in sharing.

    Such a special man. Happy 80th.

    1. 2.1

      Tom Edrington

      On the drop, Jack reviewed the rule and supervised the drop which protects the field, doesn’t fall under the “advice” rule; I was Hal’s caddie through the tour school later that year, got him through; And yes, Barbara was a huge part of Jack’s success; I’ve walked many rounds with her at The Masters back in the 70s, she showed me how to follow Jack in a major, you have to stay ahead of him in order to not get swallowed up by the crowd….also, Barbara has an incredible memory, if she meets you once, she’ll remember your name…..after their first year on tour, when they’d go back to an event, folks would come up and say to her: “Hi, remember me?” Barb decided to take a memory course and that has served her very well for so many years…I watched those kids grow up….Jack and Barb still live in the same house they built back in the late 60 in Lost Tree Village.

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