The 1986 Masters: How Jack Nicklaus Roared Back to Win
Chip Newton, a golfing buddy of mine, has a vivid memory of where he was and what he was doing on Masters Sunday in 1986.
The Florida businessman had to take a plane flight in the middle of the final round, and vainly searched for an open spot in the airport bars to watch the tournament.
He then boarded his plane, still trying to find out what was happening.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot addressed the passengers. Instead of discussing the upcoming flight, however, he told them that Jack Nicklaus had just birdied the thirteenth hole. Newton said, “The whole plane went nuts!”
This year marked the 25th anniversary of Nicklaus’s final major of his remarkable, Hall of Fame career. Naturally, the story of this particular triumph would make a nice book subject, and Augusta Chronicle Sports Editor John Boyette took advantage of the opportunity. The 1986 Masters: How Jack Nicklaus Roared Back to Win is a well-written golf history that golf fans should find a way to put on their bookshelves (Lyons Press; $24.95 SRP).
The book features interviews with Nicklaus and his family, including his wife and his son Jackie, the caddie for his father during that historic event.
Others interviewed include Tom Kite and Greg Norman, who had the last chances to deny Nicklaus his sixth green jacket, but who both faltered on the last hole.
Boyette also describes how Nicklaus came to use the now-famous MacGregor Response putter during the tournament. It is an interesting sports business story in it’s own right, because Nicklaus’s triumph led to a boom in the putter’s sales. It is perhaps one of the best product placement stories in golf.
The highlight of the book, of course, is the recounting of the back nine on Sunday, where Nicklaus fired a 30 and then waited for the others to finish. Even for those familiar with the story, it makes for fun reading.
The 1986 Masters was a classic, not solely because of Nicklaus. For millions of fans like Chip Newton, it was one of those rare sporting events that makes you recall where you were when it happened.
Boyette’s book brings that fun back to its readers.
Review Date: April 22, 2011