“Probably not,” was Jack Nicklaus‘s reply when asked if he could have achieved such incredible heights of success without his wife Barbara. In a 2000 interview with Golf Digest writer Bob Verdi, Nicklaus credited his wife as a stabilizing influence in his life, saying she had a knack for handling things at home while he was busy with tournaments. This enduring partnership has stood the test of time, and their bond remains strong even after decades of marriage.
A recent YouTube video on the Masters page captured the couple’s playful dynamic, with Jack Nicklaus good-naturedly teasing Barbara about her golf skills – or lack thereof. After 65 years of being married to a golf legend, Barbara still hasn’t quite picked up the skills, and Jack couldn’t help but poke fun at her. She recalled a moment on the first tee when he took the bag from her, saying, “So, uh… and he says ‘I have no idea what I’m doing.’ Last year we’re on the first tee and we’re walking off of the first tee and he comes over and takes the bag from me. And I said ‘What are you doing?’ He said ‘As long as you’ve been around golfing, you don’t even know how to carry a bag.’”
Barbara apparently had no clue, carrying the bag with clubs awkwardly draped straight up and down – a telltale sign of someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, at least that’s what Nicklaus said. “She had no clue how to carry it. Oh, she just sort of draping straight up and down. You know how people grab a bag when they don’t know what they’re doing.”
Dublin Oh June 04 Jack Nicklaus and His wife Barbara Nicklaus Watch The Finish ON The 18th Hole during The Memorial Tournament Final Round AT Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin Ohio Photo by Brian Spurlock Icon Sports Wire Photo by Brian Spurlock Icon Sports Wire Golf Jun 04 PGA Golf men The Memorial Tournament Final Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY (Image Credit: IMAGO)
Despite her lack of golf skills, Barbara does everything else perfectly, Nicklaus quipped in the interview. And well she does. Even after decades of their marriage, Barbara still remembers every minute detail about her husband’s amazing career.
Barbara Nicklaus explains why the color yellow is special to her husband
The iconic yellow shirt worn by Jack Nicklaus during his Sunday rounds holds a deeply emotional and personal story. As shared by Jack and his wife, Barbara Nicklaus, the yellow shirt is more than just a piece of clothing – it’s a symbol of a special bond between Nicklaus and a young boy named Craig. It all started with a call from Mary Lou, the minister’s wife, who reached out to Barbara in the late ’60s or early ’70s. “Mary called, and she said, ‘Barbara, Craig’s just been diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma. He’s a big fan of Jack’s. Do you think Jack would ever call him?’ And I said, ‘Well, of course he would, Mary Lou. We’ll get that done immediately,’” Barbara recalled.
Barbara’s compassion and Jack’s kindness led to a beautiful friendship between Nicklaus and Craig. The two spoke frequently over the next few months, offering each other friendship and support during a tough time. Craig’s sister Janet fondly remembered the Nicklauses visiting their home, saying, “The Nicklauses would stop by our house and sit and drink a Coke and visit.” This bond would ultimately lead to a special request from Craig that would resonate deeply with Nicklaus.
The story behind the yellow shirt is a testament to the power of kindness and connection. For Nicklaus, the color yellow radiates joy, confidence, and a deep sense of purpose, reminding him of the bond he formed with Craig. The yellow shirt became a symbol of his winning spirit, but it’s the personal story behind it that makes it truly special.
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