By Design, It’s an Advantage for Nicklaus

When Jack Nicklaus won his first tournament on the PGA Senior Tour two weeks ago, it was on a course he designed.

Nicklaus didn’t design the PGA National Golf Club where the PGA Seniors’ Championships starts today, but he knows his way around since he lives 10 minutes away.

The Seniors’ championship has been played on PGA National since 1982, but the veterans will see a different course since dramatic alterations have been made in the last year.

Those changes were made by, you guessed it, Jack Nicklaus.

“There’s no home-course advantage,” Nicklaus insisted Wednesday. “I had to play a couple of practice rounds here this week just to see what I’ve done. It’s coming along nicely, even though it’s young and immature in some places. The greens have a nice pace to them and were much smoother (Wednesday) than (Tuesday).

The competition for Nicklaus includes former champions Gary Player (1986), Arnold Palmer (1984) and Larry Mowry (1989), not to mention another senior tour rookie, Lee Trevino.

Nicklaus’ competitors aren’t concerned that he knows the layout so well. In fact, they’re glad he made the changes.

“It’s a big improvement,” Player said. “There is a much better design to the greens and bunkers.”

Added Palmer: “It’s better than it was. The grass is smoother, more consistent. I don’t think you can say it’s easier or harder than it was before. It depends on the conditions.”

Gene Sarazen, who won the tournament in 1954, was honored Tuesday night at the past champions dinner. He has been a member of the PGA of America since March 15, 1921, longer than any man alive. The PGA was organized in January, 1916.