This June marks the 50th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ historic win at the 1962 U.S. Open against long-time competitor and friend Arnold Palmer. A number of limited-edition commemorative products are being released to recognize the Golden Bear’s golf legacy, which now spans half a century. In honor of Jack’s first major championship win in an incredible string of a record 18, the Nicklaus Companies is releasing a framed collectible photo montage (including a swatch from the shirt he wore in his final U.S. Open appearance in 2000); Jack Nicklaus Wines is debuting The Golden Bear Commemorative Series; Curtis Australia is launching a Jack Nicklaus U.S. Open Anniversary pen; and the Golden Bear himself has provided incredible U.S. Open insight in the 116-page Jack Nicklaus Guide to the U.S. Open 2012.
The Golden Bear’s victory in 1962 goes down as one of the most significant golf wins of all time. His 18-hole playoff victory (71-74) over Palmer famously unfolded in front of a record number of spectators at Oakmont Country Club in Arnold Palmer’s Pennsylvania backyard. Nicklaus won the 1962 U.S. Open in his first year as a professional. At just 22, Jack was the youngest winner of the tournament since Bobby Jones in 1923. But it didn’t stop there. The Golden Bear celebrated a record 44 Open starts and would go on to finish 22 times in the top-25—18 in the top 10, 11 in the top five, and nine in the top three. Nicklaus was victorious in a record-tying four U.S. Open Championships. In addition to the 1962 win, Nicklaus hoisted the U.S. Open trophy in 1967, 1972 and 1980.
The collectible piece features four historic sepia-tone photographs and a color photo from Jack’s final U.S. Open in 2000. Each of the 50 limited-edition collectibles is not only autographed by the Golden Bear, but also contains a piece of a tournament-worn shirt from his final day of U.S. Open competition. The tournament-worn shirt is authenticated by the 2000 photo, a Certificate of Authenticity that includes the Golden Bear official hologram, and by Nicklaus Companies. To purchase one of the 50 collectible pieces or to learn more, visit the Art & Memorabilia section at shop.nicklaus.com.
The U.S. Open pen, manufactured by Nicklaus partner Curtis Australia, features the iconic image of Jack in full-swing at the Championships in 1962 on the front with details of his four U.S. Open victories on the back. In a choice of rich red or jet black Curtis resin, special features of the fountain pen are its luxurious two-tone nib and the ease at which it converts to a roller ball and back to a fountain pen again. Each pen will be presented in a luxury box with a limited-edition certificate and commemorative sleeve. Every handcrafted pen will also be individually numbered. There are only 1,000 Jack Nicklaus U.S. Open Anniversary ballpoint and fountain pens available for purchase at www.nicklauspens.com.
The Golden Bear Commemorative Series wine will be released in June to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ first of 18 major championship wins. The series launches with an exceptional 100% Napa Valley Appellation Blend 2009 vintage. Each year, a limited-edition bottling will be released to commemorate one of Jack’s 18 major championships. Each vintage is accompanied by a letter from Jack reflecting on the respective tournament win, including a numbered hologram for authenticity. Only 1,000 large format 1.5L bottles will be produced per vintage.
“Each major had its own storyline, its own drama, and each was special to me for different reasons,” Nicklaus said. “We think a wine blend from Napa Valley, with its own vintage character, will be a great way for golf fans and wine lovers to share in what was for me a life-changing experience and what created a lifetime of memories.”
The inaugural edition of the Golden Bear Commemorative Series magnums will be released in June, 2012. It will be available in limited accounts internationally and online atwww.uncorked.com/jack-nicklaus-wines/. The initial release price is expected to be $600.
The Jack Nicklaus Guide to the U.S. Open 2012 is the first in a new partnership to bring a comprehensive look at major championships and the game’s highest profile events to golf enthusiasts. In the extensive guide, Nicklaus recalls his first U.S. Open win in 1962 and shares his thoughts about the game, its current players, his challenges and his victories. The magazine also details his career as a world-renowned golf course designer and shares more about the Nicklaus Companies expansions into lifestyle branding. The magazine will be distributed in hotels, golf clubs and airports throughout North America, especially in California where the 2012 U.S. Open will be played. Read the digital version.
