Listening to a Legend

  Yesterday I was shooting a story for The New York Times at the Del Webb Father-Son Challenge here in Orlando. The Father-Son is a non-PGA golf tournament that pairs pro golfer dads with their sons, daughters or grandsons. Kind of a neat concept I guess. It's a more laid back tournament and features the likes of Arnold Palmer, Paul Azinger, Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino, etc.

  One of the Father-Son teams I followed to 18 was Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack II. Jack "Dad" was the first in the group to come in followed by Jackie. 

  As the All-Time Majors Winner (until Tiger surpasses in 2011) walked off the 18th green reporters gathered around the stands to talk with the Golden Bear. He began to talk and I couldn't help but listen.

  It was an opportunity to hear from a player who helped write a lot of golf's history and any fan would've welcomed this story time.

  Jack talked about a wide range of subjects. From where he stayed the first time he went to the Masters to Tiger's pending passing of his record to his grandson who plays high school football. It was all fascinating to me.

  When asked about how the game has changed, he said that the equipment has done a lot to how he designs golf course these days. He now has to make the long ball hitters equal to those not so adept when laying out a course.

 He talked about how he watched a hobbled Tiger win the U.S. Open last summer with his knee injury and was amazed by his ability. He said after the round he called Tiger to congratulate him. A reporter asked Jack what Tiger's response was in the hopes of getting some new insight of Tiger Woods.

  Nicklaus said that Tiger replied,"Thanks!" That was it. Nothing more. Typical Tiger.

  It was a cool moment for me to just hang out with Mr. Nicklaus and listen to him talk about the game and about his life. The Times reporter and I walked with Jack to the clubhouse and talked with him about our story. Jack wanted to talk about how his grandson, a highly touted tight end, was going to play in the regional finals. 

  In the end I was grateful to have had the chance of walking and talking with a legend. I'm sure I'll embellish the story over the years... "You know there was this one time I had a chance to play a round with Jack Nicklaus.."