Santa Says…

The Man…the legend…the congenial, Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus and his team arrived ahead of schedule on Sunday, the 10th of December. After a light lunch at the Beach House and a few stories, he headed for the course and his final review of St Francis Links. With the Grand Opening function set to begin at 19h30, it appeared that he would have time to see all of the holes…and see them all he did. After the tour, he was heard to say how much he loved this piece of links land. His right hand, Tim Kinney, a long-time member of the Nicklaus team, came to me to make it clear that “Mr. Nicklaus” just doesn’t make that kind of statement often. He followed on to say that he hoped that those words would be repeated at the function. Well, I certainly wasn’t let down. After a great audio/visual presentation to kick-off the night, I had the opportunity to introduce my idol, the Man, the Legend, Mr. Jack Nicklaus.

The entrance was a bit awesome as he slowly ascended to the Verandah on a rising stage with Directors, Mike Wylie and Robbie Marshall on either side. He then went on to tell the 800 in attendance that this truly was the best land he had ever seen (yet humble enough to add that we as the golfers playing it, would determine whether he was as good at the land). He noted that the course would need to evolve with time by adding tees and making subtle changes to allow for the conditions. After traveling here from the USA, by way of Greece and Croatia, I was in awe of his endurance and his commitment to our developer and our development. Listen, you would expect an architect to say a lot of nice things about the course he has just completed…its good PR. But this was Jack Nicklaus!

What he went on to do the next day went beyond expectations. He didn’t just answer the questions from the media; he expanded on his answers and offered much more information about the design, the balance with the development and the environmental. Then after a few stretches on the 18th tee with a few hundred eager fans watching, the Man, the Legend proceeded to bash a few balls down the 18th – first some soft wedges, then short irons, followed by a couple of 230m 2-irons (the same little blade that he has been “flushing” shots with for the past 40 years). He then bashed a couple of 4-woods nearly 260m to the target bunker on the left. Finally, he loosened up his back with drivers. Yes, there was a little 15km easterly helping – but folks, this retired 66 year old then launched a couple over the length of the dam, some 300m away. Don’t ask him about the ball or the driver, just applaud when he plays the 537m (590 yd) 3rd hole with a driver and 4-wood to 10m short of the putting surface. He didn’t establish a course record because as he put it, there hasn’t been a three putt in 18 months. That’s because he hasn’t putted the second putt in 18 months!

Those who made the effort to walk the 18 as he did, got a day with the greatest golfer of all time in a way that few others have – personal, informal, informative and motivating. He stopped at nearly every shot to tell everyone how and why the course was designed the way it was. I walked the last 6 holes. On the 12th hole (politely called Illusion because of its hidden green laid out between two dunes), I asked about not being able to see the bottom of the flag and he simply replied, “With a landing area this wide, there is nothing wrong with a little mystery”.

When it was all said and done, the Man, the Legend, Mr. Nicklaus spent nearly two full days here – sharing his knowledge, giving of himself with his time and his talent, signing every cap, card and picture, always considerate and congenial.

I am really lucky to have this opportunity – to share his talent with you, our member for a lifetime and you, our member for the day.

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