Jack At 76: Hitting The Sweet Spot
/Jaime Diaz reflects on the state of birthday boy Jack Nicklaus.
Thirty years (!) after his last major and far removed from hiccups in his business career, Diaz admires the combination of business empire and aging gracefully that is the Golden Bear.
In light of Tiger's recent decline and the reduction of career longevity for today's pros, I found this particularly profound:
The magic, multi-tiered word at the heart of Nicklaus’ feats has always been “management” -- of the golf course, of his psyche, of his life. Through his prime and beyond, he was criticized for not playing enough tournaments. His devotion to family was the main reason, but he also trusted an intuitive sense for marshaling his energy. No one else has won major championships over a 24-year span.
**Mr. Nicklaus celebrated with his grandaughter, who shares the birthday with him.
**Bamberger on Nicklaus, including this:
For a half century or more now, players and officials and writers have gone to Nicklaus in search of insight. Dave Anderson, 86-year-old sportswriting legend, said recently, “Jack was the best. The best. Not just the best interview in golf but in all sports.” Listening to Nicklaus, Anderson said, you always learned something. You still do. His golf IQ is in the Mensa range. In the history of American golf, only Lee Trevino’s is higher.
