A Heart of a Bear

The Golden Bear 

For most people, golf is not a spectator sport. They watch only when it is forced upon them at family gatherings and/or at grandma and grandpa’s house. Golf is really only the glorified pursuit of putting a little white ball into a little white cup. And its good name is often soiled through its close associations with old stuffy white men who wear funny pants.

But golf is so much more than country clubs and questionable fashion sense. It is a game that demands respect, courtesy, and honor from its participants. A golfer has to be willing to call a penalty on herself. (Not easy to do as a competitor) You have to stand still when your opponent is swinging; waving your arms raucously to distract a foe would be grounds for disqualification. It is a civil game, void of trash talk and one-upsmanship.

Having caddied for seven summers (and a winter), I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he plays golf. Cheater, gentleman, crook, snob, peacemaker, or phony; give me one round with a guy and I could tell you anything you’d need to know about them. More than a few very successful people require a round of golf with a potential business partner before any business deal is signed. This game, the simple act of putting a ball in a cup, can provide such a clear window into a person’s soul.

Friday July 15, 2005, Jack Nicklaus played his last round of professional golf at St. Andrews in the British Open. No one’s soul has shown brighter in golf’s radiance. Jack Nicklaus exuded respect, showed boundless courtesy, and demonstrated a level of honor rarely seen in today’s world. He was as equally gracious in defeat as he was in victory. He was embraced by fans and competitors alike for his generosity.

Most of Jack Nicklaus’ accomplishments occurred before I was born. Only through the magic of ESPN Classic (and the Golf Channel) have I been able to see and learn about his superlative career. And throughout it all, Nicklaus maintained the highest level of integrity. He was a great golfer, and an even better person.

We all could learn a lot from Jack Nicklaus. He was a true champion.