Nicklaus Here to Promote Charity Thru Golf Courses
By Moon Gwang-lip
Staff Reporter
Inchon _ Things change so rapidly in South Korea. As does fame.
Today's great stars, celebrities or sports figures, suddenly fall into oblivion tomorrow.
But, for those who have already surpassed a certain caliber, it's hard to be forgotten.
Jack Nicklaus, the world's legendary golfer with 18 Major victories on the U.S. PGA Tour, came to South Korea for the first time in 10 years yesterday with hundreds of fans at the Sky 72 golf course in Inchon welcoming him at the top of their lungs.
The simply-dressed golfer _ in a white short-sleeve T-shirt with stripes and black pants_ gave a moment of rapture to fans waiting in line by having his photo taken with them on his way to a press conference.
``I am still shaking,'' said Jang Yoon-jung, 31, after posing for a photo with the 67-year-old golfer. ``I saw him on television and read about him, but this is the first time I've seen him face to face. I feel so good,'' the female amateur golfer from Seoul added.
Nicklaus, putting a smile on his face, appeared to enjoy the moment with his fans.
``It's very nice,'' Nicklaus said after being asked about his feeling toward the fans' warm reception.
``People do recognize your honor, your accomplishment. It's very nice.''
The golfer had some more words in return by giving a compliment to Korean golfers, who are seeking glory on the world stage he has enjoyed success on for decades.
``In Korea, the game of the golf is very popular. Obviously, your women have been outstanding around the world. As have some of your men,'' said Nicklaus, who clinched 105 professional tournament victories worldwide.
Nicklaus came on the occasion of a golf event named after him to raise money for children suffering from incurable diseases.
The philanthropic golfer, who started the annual event in Korea in 2004 along with a local partner of his clothing business, Kolon, said he and his wife are still devoted to helping children.
``Both my wife and I have been very heavily involved in many charities in the United States. We have two children's hospitals,'' he said.
The Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation has supported not-for-profit programs and projects aimed at pediatric health care, with The Nicklaus Children's Hospital located at St. Mary's Medical Center in Ohio.
``I suppose most people will remember me as a golfer. I am a very fortunate person who has been able not only to play the game for my entire life, but also have been able to be involved in charities. I am delighted to be involved in this.''
Nicklaus has five children and expects his 20th grandchild later this month. ``Children are a big part of our lives. That is our future,'' he said.
Nicklaus visited the Sky golf course two years after the course, including the Ocean course he designed himself, was open to the public in 2005.
The American golfer said he treasures the opportunity to contribute to the development of golf by designing courses.
``One of the great benefits in designing golf courses is designing them in places where the game of the golf is emerging,'' he said.
Nicklaus has designed golf courses in 55 countries including many Eastern Europeans countries _ such as Montenegro, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Russia and Romania _ some of which he claims didn't even have a single golf course.
``We can give places a better facility to play on. With that, we give them a chance to shape the future of the game for the youth of that country.
``I love the game of golf, and love to see this game grow and so if I can do that, to shape the game of those countries is very exciting to me. That's one of the reasons I design golf courses,'' he said.
Before wrapping up the press conference, Nicklaus, one of the world's greatest golfers ever, revealed a secret to playing well.
``Understand what your abilities are,'' he said.
``In other words, I've been trying not to do things that I didn't think I could do. I tried to do what I can do. Try not to make mistakes doing that, as a result, you usually will play better.''