Golf legend talks course, the game, business and more
PALM BEACH GARDENS — It isn’t often the national golf media gets the chance for a sit down with Jack Nicklaus.
When that opportunity arose Tuesday, the man responsible for remaking the Champion course at PGA National Resort into one of the PGA Tour’s most respected courses was quick to shower it and this week’s Honda Classic with praise.
“We couldn’t give away a golf tournament in Palm Beach 30 years ago,” Nicklaus said. “This tournament came (to Mirasol) 14 years ago. That’s when we started our foundation, and that was based on this tournament.
“This tournament here has grown. The crowds have been fantastic. It’s done very, very, very well. From a charity standpoint, the first couple years we were the main recipient and (made) probably $150,000 to $200,000. We had a check for $1 million the last couple years and (the tournament) gave away $3.6 million to all the charities last year.”
He then turned his attention to the course, which has changed little since his redesign in 2007.
“The players know it’s a tough golf course,” Nicklaus said. “It’s a par 70 and it’s a challenge. It’s a handful. It’s going to be a handful this week with a dry course. This course plays much more difficult when it’s dry.”
Honda organizers are typically deluged with interview requests for Nicklaus, and the North Palm Beach resident has often given the media 10-15 minutes on his way to or from the TV booth on Sunday. Tuesday was a more relaxed setting in the interview room and his audience asked about everything from the 1986 Masters to slow play to the equipment advances in today’s game.
Nicklaus said one change he would favor is shortening the time of a typical round from the five hours it often takes in this area to play 18 holes in season.
“We need to shorten the game, reduce the cost of the game and reduce the difficulty for the average guy, not necessarily the pros,” he said. “That has to happen.”
He said advances in the golf ball have led to the vast majority of courses becoming outdated and said the distance balls travel should be rolled back 20 percent. He said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, agrees with him.
“We used to play golf courses that were 6,500 yards, 6,600 yards and that was a championship golf course,” he said. “Today, you’re 7,500 or 7,600 yards. The golf ball is something that … if you bring it back 20 percent, that brings it back to about 1995 when we played the last wound golf ball.”
The Nicklaus Companies announced Feb. 8 that after 50 years their founder and leader would be taking a step back from day-to-day activities, turning the reins over to Executive Chairman Howard Milstein. Nicklaus, 78, grew emotional when talking about what went into the announcement and how he expects his life to change.
“I have a very nice retirement from the company and I can continue to work and do whatever I want to do,” he said. “How do I find time for things like this tournament, my wife, for charities? We did an event (Monday) at the Bear’s Club, we raised over $3 million in one day. I mean, how many pro-ams raise $3 million in one day? One that I know of.
“My grandkids are all doing stuff that I’m really involved in and watching, and I’m loving being part of it. My kids are doing things that I’m involved in. I needed time for those.”
He stressed that he’s still intent on seeing the company succeed and that, with son, Jack Jr., as president of the golf course design company, that aspect is in good hands.
“It’s a great little company that I really am very proud of,” he said. “It’s hard to step away, particularly when you’ve spent 50 years building something.”