Nicklaus, Miller and playing with greatness


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SALT LAKE CITY — The recent release of Billy Casper's book "The Big Three and Me", a great read, took me back to the summer of 1983, when I had my own brief brush with golf greatness. The opening of Park Meadows golf course was a much-anticipated event. Jack Nicklaus had put his signature touch on the first links-style course in Utah's mountains, and I was to caddy for Johnny Miller as he and Jack played their exhibition to open the track.

Nicklaus, Miller and playing with greatness

The day dawned hot and humid, Park City feeling more like Panama City, and the prospect of schlepping a tour bag over 18 holes suddenly seemed less appealing. Things got off to a rocky start with a near punch-up with Miller's regular tour caddy taking issue with my being on the bag. Seems he thought I was in his pocket by caddying for free. After a brief tension-filled discussion, ending with me suggesting he take his complaint directly to his pro, the attitude changed.

Anyone who has ever played golf with me is acutely aware I was definitely out of my element on the same golf course as Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller, as a spectator never mind a caddy. Fortunately I had the help of Jim Nantz, at the time KSL's Sports anchor, now CBS Sport's Emmy award- winning announcer. He would caddy for Nicklaus. Nantz was everything I wasn't when it came to golf. He was a former standout collegiate golfer and teammate of Freddie Couples at the University of Houston; my highlights include chipping in for bogey at Mick Riley with Bill Marcroft at a media event, and launching Johnny Miller's TV career, a story for another day.

Nantz and I went out early, got pin placements and other germane information for our round. I felt confident I could pull off the duties of the day, but things quickly began to deteriorate. Nicklaus was just off the fringe on the third hole and I had the pin. As Jack lined up the putt, I grasped the flagstick. He struck the ball and it began to track towards the hole. As I attempted to pull the pin, nothing happened, I tried again as the ball got closer to the hole, still nothing. Finally, with the ball just three feet away, I yanked one last time and to my horror the entire cup came out, to the delight of the gallery. Jack was not amused.

Johnny Miller reacts after missing a putt. 
(Michael Brandy/Deseret News)
Johnny Miller reacts after missing a putt. (Michael Brandy/Deseret News)

Throughout the round, Nicklaus was intense, Johnny on the other hand found every bit of available sand on the course, and there was plenty of it. There was a constant smile on his face as I spent more time using a rake than I had in the last five years working in my garden. Between the heat, humidity, weight of the bag and constantly having to rake traps I began to question exactly why I had postponed a family houseboat trip to Lake Powell.

Jack on the other hand was providing Nantz with his own set of challenges. If Johnny was having a great time watching me play Lawrence of Arabia, Jack was all business. If I was a glorified luggage bearer and groundskeeper, Jack constantly asked Jim for caddy-like advice. What would you suggest Jack Nicklaus hit from188 yards out, into a 20-mile an hour crosswind at 6-thousand feet? Well, Jim wasn't sure either, much to Jack's consternation. It made for an uncomfortable situation. Not long after this experience, Nantz left KSL and found himself again in the Golden Bear's presence, this time from Butler Cabin at Augusta National. I asked him years later if the Park Meadows experience ever came up. The answer was a curt, "No."

That day provided a brief glimpse into the reasons for the success of perhaps the greatest golfer who ever lived. Even in an exhibition setting, the course was Jack's workplace. Nothing less than total professionalism was acceptable to him. While Miller's talent blossomed when he was loose and having fun, Nicklaus was never able to look at the game that way. That they both recognized their different approaches is the key to their greatness.

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