Nicklauses tee up new charity push
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Ignited by the PGA Tour, inspired by Bob Hope and moved by his wife, Barbara, Jack Nicklaus became a major force in raising money for charities.
“Helping a little kid is far more important than a 4-foot putt,” Nicklaus said.
Wednesday at The Players Championship, the Nicklauses announced their latest involvement in a charitable drive that will involve the global golf community. Called Play Yellow, the campaign hopes to raise $100 million in the next five years for children’s hospitals. The Nicklaus family has long supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which have been reliant on donations to finance pediatric care for millions of children.
Play Yellow comes from the yellow golf shirts Nicklaus often wore in the final round of tournaments to honor Craig Smith, the son of a close family friend who was battling a rare bone cancer. Smith died in 1971 at 13.
In 1986 on the final day of the Masters, Nicklaus was rummaging through his suitcase, Barbara said, and came upon a yellow shirt. At 46, Nicklaus won his record sixth green jacket wearing the yellow shirt.
“When I was playing, charities were part of what we did. We didn’t think a whole lot about it, but we did it,” said Nicklaus, the only three-time winner of The Players. “But I played a ton of exhibitions with Bob Hope and he was wonderful, and I watched what he did for charity.”
Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, has benefited Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other charities since its inception in 1976.
When the Honda Classic moved to Palm Beach County in Florida, where the Nicklaus family was living, Barbara and Jack created the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004. The Foundation has raised more $100 million. There are 14 Nicklaus Children’s Outpatient Centers spread throughout the state.
“There isn’t a higher calling than helping a child in need,” Barbara said.