Happy Birthday Jack

Jack Nicklaus is 70 years old today!  Wow!  Hard to believe.  When I was growing up he was 'The Man' to follow.  Still remember seeing him, in person, win the 1980 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. He had a great chance to win the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach until Tom Watson holed an impossible chip on 17.
However, for me the greatest memory of Nicklaus was 1986 at Augusta National.  His Sunday afternoon back nine 30 might be the greatest 9 holes ever played in competition.  The eagle at 15 and then the birdie at 16 were just mind blowing.  And then getting the chance to walk up 18 with his son Jackie,  who was on the bag, had to be a incredible moment for both.
In the late 80's, when I was working at PGA West in Palm Springs, I saw him give a clinic prior to opening one of the courses he designed there.  Even to this day I don't ever remember seeing someone hit the ball as straight as he did for that 45 minutes.  All different clubs, same shot.  This was still the era of wooden headed drivers, blade irons and balata balls.  Just incredible!
A little known fact about Jack Nicklaus is that he's never played a round of golf where he didn't carry 3 pennies in his pocket.  One to mark with, one in case he lost his 1st penny and then in case a playing partner needed a mark.  Always the gentleman.  Still one of the greatest ambassador's the game has ever known.  Check out some great footage.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jle1G5l-qsU

HAPPY 70TH JACK!!