Nicklaus' irons from 1986 Masters win go on display at WGHOF

text size

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The World Golf Hall of Fame has unveiled new artifacts this week in its featured special exhibition, "Jack Nicklaus: Golf's Golden Champion," including the set of MacGregor irons Nicklaus used at the 1986 Masters Tournament, when, at age 46, he became the oldest champion in Masters history and won his 18th and final major championship.

Guests also are able to view the MacGregor Tommy Armour 693 driver and Wilson sand wedge he used to win the 1975 Masters Tournament and PGA Championship, as well his 1991 Senior PGA Championship trophy. Also on display is a gold locket presented to Nicklaus in 1964 at the Masters Club Champions Dinner, one year after his first Masters victory.

The locket, in the shape of the Augusta National Golf Club logo, is inscribed with Nicklaus' name and initials, and signifies his membership in the Masters Club, which was started by Ben Hogan in 1952.

The new artifacts are on loan from the Jack Nicklaus Museum at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and will be on display for the next three months. The full exhibition, which was created in collaboration with the Jack Nicklaus Museum and with the support of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, and the Nicklaus Companies, is on display through December.

"The Nicklaus exhibition has been very well-received by our guests, from the patrons who were with us during its opening at the 2007 Induction Ceremony to the guests who visit the Hall every day," said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. "The guest books available at the end of the exhibition are filling up quickly with comments that are heartfelt, emotional and speak directly to the love affair that all golf fans have for Jack Nicklaus. In a word, our guests simply love the experience.

"The rotation of new items provides us a terrific opportunity to freshen the experience. In this case, we're giving guests a unique opportunity in the months leading up to the 2008 Masters Tournament to see the clubs Nicklaus used in the 1986 Masters, which is still arguably the most dramatic Masters Tournament in history. It's very special."

"Jack Nicklaus: Golf's Golden Champion" features a comprehensive look at the life and career of one of golf's greatest champions through video presentations, stories and hundreds of artifacts. The experience begins with a simulation of the family's drug store, the Nicklaus Drug Store & Soda Shop, located in Columbus, Ohio.

This was created to give guests a sense of Nicklaus' childhood and the many hours he spent with his father, Charlie, a popular pharmacist in the Columbus area, talking about golf and life at his dad's stores. The exhibition goes on to cover Nicklaus' amateur and professional careers, and includes such hobbies and business interests as his passion for fly-fishing and global golf course design work.

The new artifacts are part of the exhibition's "Majors" rotunda, where the Golden Bear's 18 majors are featured and four trophies representing each of the major championships are on display.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $19 for adults, with discounts for seniors, military, children and students, and includes a round on the Hall of Fame's Putting Course and admission to one IMAX film.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com.