Bittersweet day for golf

The man I grew up watching play the greatest game on earth walked away from competitive playing today. How fitting that Jack Nicklaus, the "Golden Bear," should sink his last putt for birdie before the massive British Open audience that jammed the 18th green at historic St. Andrew's in Scotland.

This year was his annis horribilis. As he was making the decision to retire from the game he played for almost 50 years, and plagued by a fading ability to score low, he lost a toddler grandson to accidental drowning a few months ago. I'm not sure if Nicklaus is a Christian, but I sure admire his class, his deferential humility, and his strong devotion to his family. Along with his long-time rival Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus brought golf into the international television spotlight. The Bear set the bar of excellence for the Tiger.

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Happy retirement, Jack, and God bless you richly. This Canadian kid looked up to you his whole life. Now if you'd just start designing courses without sand traps and water hazards, I'd really appreciate it.