The Memorial Tournament that wraps up today has long been one of the top flight events on the PGA Tour. It’s lofty status can be traced back to one man, Jack Nicklaus.
Jack’s status as an icon in golf and all of sport for that matter has made the Memorial a significant event.
People can debate who is the greatest golfer of all time Jack or Tiger Woods (no debate from me, Jack all the way) but there is no debate who was the greatest sportsman in golf.
For decades on his way to 18 major championships, 73 tour wins and immeasurable handshakes on the eighteenth green Jack displayed the ultimate in sportsmanship.
He was the most gracious winner always displaying empathy for those he had just waxed. And losing? Well, Jack never made excuses and would always have a kind word for the winner.
He said it was the way his father had taught him. Give it all you have on the course, accept the outcome and respect all those around you, winners and losers.
Today Jack, who is big on tradition and honors many of the old school customs will be waiting at his eighteenth green as those golfers finish their round. For decades he has welcomed them off the green with kind words and a hearty handshake.
But in today’s world of COVID-19 and social distancing protocols the handshake has become taboo. And rightly so.
Jack has said earlier in the week that yes…he will be shaking the winner’s hand (and others) as they walk off the course.
I understand how badly he wants to honor that tradition. I know it’s difficult for me to finish a round and not end with the traditional handshake with my buddies. It’s one of the things I truly miss but these are different times. And Jack needs to realize that.
I hope someone can get to The GOAT and nudge hims towards a more acceptable way to honor his golfers.
Maybe Barbara Nicklaus needs to step in and straighten her hubby out. We know she rules the roost in the Nicklaus house.
The PGA Tour has taken significant steps to keep their troops safe and handshakes and high fives are taboo. But still players and caddies have contracted the virus.
With Jack in the spotlight he could once again set an example for all of us as he did so many times on the final green.
Wear a mask, please just wear a mask and if you truly cannot will yourself away from the handshake, wear gloves. Set yourself up with a supply of gloves and hand sanitizer at the green and swap them out for each player.
Jack is certainly in the at risk group and I am sure many players would rather forego the handshake but when Jack extends that mighty right paw of his no one…no one will refuse it.
Jack should make it easy on his players, himself and set a true example of leadership and sportsmanship at the same time.
He’s been doing it forever. He could do it again today.
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Amen,brother. But I doubt that Jack will get your message he was extending his hand on the 3rd tee when he and his better half greeted the players competing in the Wednesday charity match. It pains me to think Jack is a Trumper but there’s plenty of indicators that he is. Our sport continues to be a bastion of conservatism. Yet I’m still hoping that change is gonna come.