by James Douglas Doorsman

Created on: March 19, 2010   Last Updated: March 25, 2010

As a young boy growing up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania watching the rivalry between Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer was a thing of awesome beauty.  We were all closely attached to their rivalry as Mr. Palmer was from nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania and Mr. Nicklaus from Columbus, Ohio, the neighboring state.  Every young boy who could swing a club pretended to be one or the other and had faux rivalries of their own.  We dug and buried coffee cans as holes, built sand traps, marked off courses,practiced our swings and acceptance speeches as if we were being awarded the coveted "Open Trophy".  We battled like those "golf gladiators" did in the bright sunshine of our neighborhoods and learned from these dignified men about sportsmanship.

 Jack Nicklaus known as “The Golden Bear” was part of The Big Three of that era referring to himself, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. These three players dominated golf during this era and Jack Nicklus quickly emerged as the best of the three quickly surpassing Palmer's achievements on the circuit.

When Jack won the 1962 U.S. Open which was ironically his first professional win as well as first major championship it fired-up the on-course rivalry between himself and Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer was “The King” before this brash young man hit the courses with his followers known as “Arnie’s Army” cheering his phenomenal play.  We watched as they battled, in awe of what we were witnessing.

The Oakmont country club in Arnie's back yard,being he hailed from Western Pennsylvania, was the sight of this greatest rivalry of all where Jack Nicklaus overcame a three shot deficit forcing a playoff and defeated Palmer in the eighteen hole playoff 71 to 74.  Nicklaus went on to win six Master's Tournaments to Palmer's four wins. They dominated play during the 1960's.

These golfers were alike in many ways showing each other the respect they were due.  They both played the game with vigor and played to win.  The main difference between the two men was that Palmer was the suave, sofisticated swashbuckler type apt to light up a cigarette anywhere on the course and Nicklaus was boyish in personality. Off the course they were complete gentlemen, which is a tribute to their greatness and the game of golf. Palmer's loyal followers jealously referred to Nicklaus as "Fat Jack".

 The Nicklaus-Palmer rivalry changed the way the sport of golf was viewed particularly in the television market.  The fan base grew dramatically to watch these evenly matched events hanging precociously on every shot.  This was a great time for golf.  Palmer had been the fan favorite for many years before the emergence of Nicklaus but in his gentlemanly fashion he moved over for the young man.  Jack was a phenom and Palmer’s love for golf far overshadowed his need to win. These two men fashioned what golf is today.

Learn more about this author, James Douglas Doorsman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.