DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus loved college life. And it loved him back, so much so that the Golden Bear was not about to reveal what shenanigans took place off the golf course.
Me: “Your favorite Ohio State memories, non-golf related? Fraternity stuff?”
Jack: “Non-golf? I would never tell you those.”
After the laughter subsided Tuesday at the Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus began reminiscing about Ohio State, where he spent 3½ years before turning pro (the Upper Arlington, Ohio, native left school before graduating but received an honorary degree in 1972).
“I had a blast,” said, a twinkle in his eye. “Parties we went to and things we did and places we went. And (meeting Barbara) was part of it.”
Nicklaus met Barbara Bash his freshman year. She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. He joined Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. They married as upperclassmen. They’ve enjoyed one heck of a run since exchanging “I dos” in 1960.
Look hard and you can still see the 18-year-old college kid inside the 83-year-old Nicklaus, who still likes to have fun with people and still possesses classic college-age sarcastic humor. Plus he remains a student of both the game and life. The Bear was born a learner, able to process information into practical application. Methodically thinking his way around the golf course was one of his elite attributes, but he also was smart enough to realize college was not expected to be all brain, no ebullience.
“I came to Ohio State because I wanted to be part of college life,” he said.
Numerous schools offered Nicklaus a golf scholarship, but his mind was set on becoming a Buckeye.
“I just told them, ‘Don’t bother,’ ” he said. “Ohio State doesn’t offer scholarships for golf, but it’s where I was going to go.”
Ohio State is fortunate to be able to claim Nicklaus, Archie Griffin and Jesse Owens – a triumvirate of celebrated sportsmen. Griffin (two Heismans) and Owens (Olympic golds and multiple world records) are known for their amateur achievements as students; Nicklaus’ fame comes mostly through his professional career. Golf’s greatest champion holds the record for major championship wins with 18, and his victory at the 1986 Masters, at age 46, remains a top-three sports moment for many whose hips and knees beg for replacement.
Jack’s college career is not as well known, but that does not mean it was unsubstantial. He won the U.S. Amateur twice as an Ohio State student (1959 and ’61) and…
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