Where I Stand — Hank Greenspun: Nicklaus’ partner not in same club

Friday, April 13, 2001 | 9:49 a.m.

Note to readers: Sun founder Hank Greenspun's last Where I Stand column was written in 1989, the year he passed away. In the following weeks Classic Sun will feature columns written by Hank that still relate to today's headlines. In this column, which appeared on Oct. 13, 1966, Hank writes about playing a round of golf with Jack Nicklaus, the man who inspired today's preeminent golf star, two-time Masters champion Tiger Woods (Nicklaus would go on to win the 1966 Sahara Pro-Am):

A poor man doesn't have a chance anymore.

I kind of looked forward to the Sahara Pro-Am tournament as a chance to get even on the World Series. And I though I had a near perfect opportunity when I practically stole Jack Nicklaus for $1,150 in the Variety Club calcutta held Tuesday night.

Naturally it's not the money which caused me to snatch such a bargain but it is a chance to contribute 15 percent of the total to Variety, which does wonderful work with children. And anyone who doesn't like children is not worthy of participating in sports.

Well, Nicklaus and I participated yesterday and neither of us ever put in a harder day's work to just stay even. He did the playing and I did the praying. The wind helped neither activity.

There must be an easier way to earn an honest living. Nicklaus had to be the world's greatest golfer just to stay alive. I could have killed him myself.

When the day's scrambling was done and the finish was posted in what turned out to be the lowest score for the afternoon round considering the intensity of the wind, I asked Jack if he would be discouraged if he knew that the wind will be equally strong when he tees off at 8:24 this morning for the second round.

He thought it would be disturbing because it might disrupt the fishing trip on Lake Mead he had planned for this afternoon.

Naively I suggested I had $1,100 riding on his stalwart back, shoulders and driver. His putter isn't too good.

He countered with the sum of $20,000, which is the winner's share of the Sahara tournament, and he thought more of his 20 big ones than my measly one. And he aims to win it because in his own words, "I need this tournament."

If ever a man gave it a real championship go, it was Nicklaus yesterday afternoon. His drive on the 14th hole was in the fairway 30 yards ahead of both Don Massengale and Jack Fleck and then came a hook shot which brought a sickening gasp from this camp follower. It had to be in the water.

It stopped 4 inches from what I always felt was one of the most beautiful golf course lakes in the western part of the world. I cursed the day I decided on a lake for this particular spot. And how it kept from rolling into into the water positively baffled the law of gravity.

Undaunted, our champion took off his right shoe and sock, donned rubber pants and proceeded into the lake. A slight gasp was heard. The water was cold. Out he came to remove the left shoe and sock. His reason -- might as well bathe both feet for the same price.

The pitch to the green rolled 6 feet past the pin and he sunk the putt for what had to be the greatest 4 in golfing history. I cheered wildly and hoarsely. It kind of made up for the number six par-5 hole when he was on in two with a 20-foot putt for an eagle and three putted. I didn't cheer. Nor did I applaud the other three 5 par holes. He was stiff to the pin on number two and missed the putt. He was within four feet on the other 5 pars for birds and missed.

But in fairness to our hero he did sink some real long ones on what appeared to be sure bogey holes and came up with pars for an 18-hole round of 71. No real sportsman could ask for more in a wind that added five shots to the round. No real champion could contribute less and Nicklaus proved he's among the best all around champions of the golfing world.

When a sportsman so believes in a sport that he is willing to risk his hard-earned fortune on a champion, he only asks for a championship effort in return.

I put my money on the champion Dodgers to win and they played like bush leaguers.

My faith in champions is restored with the pick of the season -- Jack Nicklaus to win the big prize in the Sahara tournament.

He gives a poor man his money's worth.