Jack Nicklaus teaches golf masterclass at Formby Hall golf club

by Gary Stewart
Courtesy of the Liverpool Daily Post

He's the sexagenarian living legend of golf. They’re inner-city children being given a break in the game.

But it seemed they all had something in common when Jack Nicklaus came to Merseyside to teach a masterclass.

Nicklaus, 69, and still the most successful pro-golfer in the sport’s history, was at Formby Hall Golf Club to talk about American charity First Tee and teach “disadvantaged” schoolchildren a thing or two about the sport, and life.

The Golden Bear, who won 18 Majors, and at 46 became the oldest player to win a Masters tournament, is arguably still streets ahead of young pretender Tiger Woods.

He revealed Tiger never takes his advice, but still gave all the concentration and kindness to his other youthful charges one would expect from a grandfather of 21.

Several children got visibly better before onlookers’ eyes, while others were treated to some grandfatherly wisdom: “You hit the big ball before the little ball. That’s the Earth, I mean.”

The group of children, from First Tee’s first UK chapter, in Heaton Park, Manchester, took turns asking the old master questions about his life.

Asked what golf had taught him, he said: “It’s taught me how to be humble, how to work harder, how to be better. It’s taught me honesty integrity and sportsmanship.”

That’s why he’s involved with First Tee.

The RBS-sponsored charity, which began in Florida in 1997, now has over 500 learning centres across 49 states, including international ones in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and now England.

Dawn Roberts, executive director of First Tee, said Liverpool may be their next area to move in to.

“We’re concentrating on growing our success in Manchester which has only been open since July,” she said.

“But it’s definitely something in our future.

“The North-West is a great golfing centre and we’re due to start having meetings with Liverpool council’s golf development officer soon.”

Their next project may still be years away, but Merseyside could definitely tally with the urban setting of many First Tee centres.

Dawn added: “Golf is seen as a sport with a high buy-in cost.

“We hope to break down that barrier and make golf open to children from all backgrounds.

“We don’t specifically target children from disadvantaged backgrounds but we do make it affordable for everyone.”

Jack Nicklaus offered his philosophy: “You have the same problems in Britain as we do in America: gang cultures and children without the guidance from parents they should have.

“Mentors are important and golfers do a pretty good job.

“It’s the nature of the sport that they are among the people and they don’t wear a uniform that separates them.

“Golf is a wonderful game that will last you a lifetime.

“It teaches you how to compete, it teaches you about sportsmanship, it teaches you integrity when you have to mark your own score card, it teaches you how you get along with each other.

“Anything you can mention that makes you a better person golf teaches you. The First Tee programme is about self discipline. The toughest competitor I ever had was me. I couldn’t control the other guys – only myself.

The veteran, who played his last competitive round in 2005, admitted he no longer plays golf, and rarely watches it. But he did send his first text message this year to friend and rival Tom Watson as he threatened to win the British Open, aged 59.

“He played great but when he didn’t do it he was beating himself up. I just said you did as good as anyone could. No one’s even done what you’ve done.”

Though clearly excited to be an ambassador for a project helping children through life, Nicklaus revealed perhaps an ulterior motive.

“First Tee isn’t about creating a golf superstar but it absolutely could happen. There was a guy out here today playing off (a handicap) of eight and he so wanted it.”

Would that help Nicklaus out if someone came through to keep Tiger Woods away from his championship record?

“It’s my masterplan! They better hurry up about it, though!”