Jack Nicklaus

Who is Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus (1940) is a retired American professional golfer considered the best player of all time after having won the largest number of majors (a total of 18 professional titles or 20 if one includes two US Amateur tournaments he won in 1959 and 1961). His robust appearance and his golden hair have earned him the nickname “Golden Bear”.

He started his professional career in 1961 and has had numerous achievements. When he was only 16 he won the Ohio Open and since then, more than 110 victories credit his professional career. Among the most noteworthy highlights:

• 5 US PGA Championships (1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980)
• 4 US Open (1962, 1967, 1972,1980)
• 3 British Open (1966, 1970, 1978)
• 6 Augusta Masters (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986). The last time he won this title was at age 46, thus anointing him the best player in the history of golf

At the height of his career Nicklaus held two excellent qualities:

• He hit the ball the farthest
• At the same time, he was an exceptional putter.

Because of this Jack Nicklaus has received uncountable professional recognitions:

• In 1974 he was one of the first players to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
• In 1988 he won the title of “PGA’s Golfer of the Century”
• He was named 5 times as the best player of the PGA Tour

Nicklaus retired from professional golf in 2005, but he continues to manage his own golf brand (“golden bear”) and he makes appearances at sporting events. The Bank of Scotland issues a special commemorative 5 pound bank note in honour of him.

What is Nicklaus’ Design

Jack Nicklaus, the “Golden Bear”, founded the company Nicklaus Design in 1973.

Nicklaus Design is a firm dedicated to the design of golf courses that has created 275 courses around the world.

Many of the most prestigious golf courses in the world carry his brand-name:

• PGA West-Private
• The Bear's Club
• PGA National-Champion Course

For decades, the name Nicklaus has become synonymous with perfection in the world of golf not just because of Jack Nicklaus’ game, but also from the golf courses created by his company, Nicklaus Design.

Nicklaus Design was founded by Jack himself and is owned by the Nicklaus family. It is formed by an integrated team of the best professionals in different fields:

• Designers
• Agricultural engineers
• Industrial engineers
• Golf course construction experts
• Golf course marketing experts

Nicklaus Design has been involved in the opening of 314 golf courses in 30 countries and 38 US states, of which, Jack Nicklaus has personally designed, co-designed or redesigned 275 courses around the world.

At least 57 golf courses created by Nicklaus Design have been selected in various national and international Top-100 lists. At least 83 courses created by Nicklaus Design have hosted a combined total of 600 worldwide professional tournaments and national professional USGA championships.

For three consecutive years, Jack Nicklaus has been selected by Golf Inc. Magazine as the “Most Powerful Person in Golf” because of his global impact on the game, primarily through his design company.

Nicklaus Design has golf courses under construction and in development in 38 countries, including 24 countries with first-time projects.