The Metropolitan
January/February 2021
You want credibility The Bogeyman Dan O’Neill
(Editor’s note: This story appears courtesy of Morning Read (www. morningread.com) You want credibility - try Jack Nicklaus. You have a dream to rejuvenate a historic golf course, a plan to breath new life into a neighborhood and community, a mission to generate positive change and impact young lives - try Jack Nicklaus. Perhaps the recent announcement that Nicklaus Design will take the lead in the philanthropic effort to restore Normandie Golf Course isn’t quite as exciting as hearing Santa Claus on the rooftop on Christmas eve, but it’s in the ballpark. When you throw around the “Nicklaus Design” label, it’s impressive enough. But when Himself is putting his own boots on the ground, and putting his own signature on the sign, it’s even more stimulating. Unless you were just born yesterday - on Mars - you know that Jack Nicklaus won two U.S. Amateurs, six Masters and 18 major championships. And you know he had a hand in designing many spectacular golf courses. Nicklaus has been involved, in one way or another, in the architecture of more than 425 courses in 45 countries, or roughly 1 percent of all the playing fields on the planet. At this point in his illustrious and accomplished career, Nicklaus spends most of his time giving back to a game he loves, a game that has enriched his life, a game he hopes can enrich other lives. He did so in collaborating with Maj. Dan Rooney and Folds of Honor to create American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, MI, waiving his 12
$3 million fee and paying tribute members of the U.S. military. “I lo the game, but I love my country ev more, Nicklaus said at the time of t announced project. The golf course the eastern shores of Lake Michig is set to open in early May this ye Sneak peaks have been universa flattering.
Now, Nicklaus will bring the sam spirit of respect and renewal to St. Lou and the Normandy neighborhoo Again, he is donating his services. H expertise will be critical, and putti his “Jack Nicklaus Signature” on o of the oldest facilities west of t Mississippi will be invaluable.
Nicklaus believes in this count believes in its fiber and believes restoring its roots. “The appeal of th project to me was to be involved in a to change needed in our country tod County,” Nicklaus said in a press re community in need will have a long of youth in St. Louis.”
If this ambitious project is to succ community resource and spark soci pop. The collaboration of MAGA an was a solid lineup to start, but Nick name carries that kind of clout, and that kind of momentum.
Normandie was built in 1901, desig Old Tom Morris. People like Bob H Stan Musial have played golf there, s
