Golfing legend Jack William Nicklaus was born on 21 January 1940 and was nicknamed the Golden Bear. He is an American retired pro golfer and golf course designer. Jack is widely thought of to be one of the greatest golfers of all time.

He bagged 117 professional tournaments in his career and over a quarter-century, Jack won a record 18 major championships, three more than second-placed Tiger Woods. He focused on the major championships — the Masters Tournament, US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship — and played a selective schedule of regular PGA Tour events.

Jack competed in 164 major tournaments, more than any other player, and finished with 73 PGA Tour victories, third behind Sam Snead (82) and Woods (82).

His Early Life

Introduced to golf when his father was looking to rehabilitate a broken ankle, Jack proved a prodigy in the sport, shooting a 51 more than nine holes at Scioto Country Club at the tender age of 10.

Schooled by Scioto club pro Jack Grout, Nicklaus won the Ohio Open at age 16 as well as the International Jaycee Junior Golf Tournament at the age of 17. As a student at Ohio State University, Jack netted the US Amateur title in 1959 and 1961, in addition to the NCAA Championship in 1961. In addition, Nicklaus served notice to the game’s top players by finishing second at the 1960 US Open with an amateur-record score of 282. He turned pro in November 1961.

His Golden Years

Nicklaus rapidly emerged as one of the most dominant players on the PGA Tour. Getting the nickname the “Golden Bear,” he had the power to slam booming drives from the tee, but also demonstrated an impressive touch on the green and his seemingly impenetrable nerves.

Jack won his first US Open title in 1962 and claimed his first Masters Tournament and PGA Championship the following year. In 1966, he nabbed the only major title missing from his collection by winning the British Open.

His Work Outside Golf

As a global ambassador, businessman, celebrated golf course designer and tireless philanthropist, Jack has utilised his success as a platform and vehicle to promote the greater good of other people. This involves a 50-year commitment to the health and welfare of children.

In 2004, Jack co-founded – with his wife Barbara – the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. The Foundation has raised just over $100 million in less than 15 years. This impact of this foundation has led to the rebranding of well-known Miami Children’s Hospital and Miami Children’s Health System to Nicklaus Children’s. The hospital has provided care for children from 119 countries and all 50 states in the US. The Nicklaus Children’s Health System comprises 16 outpatient and urgent care centres.

Owing to his awe-inspiring career and life that’s as interesting and exciting as the online roulette NZ offer, Jack Nicklaus is the very first sportsman and only the fourth person in history to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), Congressional Gold Medal (2015) as well as the Lincoln Medal (2018).