Nicklaus receives Old Tom Morris Award

Jack Nicklaus, Old Tom Morris recipient, with Mark Woodward, CGCS, GCSAA president

Jack Nicklaus urged GCSAA members to add new meaning to golf course management by playing a key role in maintaining the growth of golf during his acceptance of the 2005 Old Tom Morris Award.

“When we talk about growing the game, we need to do it not just with the idea of bringing people into the game, but you want to keep them in the game and we want to make it affordable,” Nicklaus said during the highlight of Thursday’s Opening Session of the inaugural Golf Industry Show.

Nicklaus’ remark reflected a recurring theme during the Session and he added that the superintendent’s role in retaining golf participation is a key one – doing the best they can given their respective budget and resources to maintain both playability and affordability.

GCSAA President Mark Woodward, CGCS, in presenting the Old Tom Morris Award, said that, “On and off the course, Jack Nicklaus stands alone” while leaving his mark on nearly every aspect of golf. Woodward also announced that the association was donating $10,000 to Jack and Barbara Nicklaus’ main charity, the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Nicklaus also participated in a televised Golf Channel “chat” during the Session with the network’s Adam Barr, complete with commercial breaks and including a question-and-answer segment with GCSAA members. The program will be aired several times on the Golf Channel beginning sometime this spring.

“Golf is a wonderful, a game I love,” Nicklaus said, noting that all those in the golf course industry – superintendents, architects, builders, etc., are one big family. “That’s why this honor is important to me – it’s recognition from my peers.”