World Golf Hall of Fame Features Special Jack Nicklaus Exhibit

The World Golf Hall of Fame is currently featuring the latest in a series of member-focused exhibitions. Jack Nicklaus: Golf's Golden Champion tells the story of Nicklaus' storied life and career through a comprehensive collection of personal and professional memorabilia, photographs and video. The exhibit will remain on display through October 2008.

In addition to hundreds of items on display for the entire length of the exhibition, Jack Nicklaus: Golf's Golden Champion features key artifacts on a rotating basis, including the following items on display through April 2008:

• Set of MacGregor irons Nicklaus used to win the 1986 Masters
• MacGregor Tommy Armour 693 driver and Wilson sand wedge he used to win the 1975 Masters and PGA Championship
• 1964 Masters Club Member's Gold Locket
• 1991 Senior PGA Championship trophy

The following items will be placed in the exhibit May 3, 2008 and on display for three months:

• MacGregor irons used to win the 1976 PLAYERS Championship
• MacGregor 945W Driver used to win the 1980 U.S. Open and PGA Championship and the 1986 Masters
• Nicklaus Equipment N1 driver used to win the 1993 U.S. Senior Open
• 1990 Senior PLAYERS Championship trophy
• Australian Open trophy representing his six victories (1978, 1976, 1975, 1971, 1968, 1964)

The Hall's exhibition tells Nicklaus' story via five themes:

Golf's Greatest Champion chronicles Nicklaus' golf life, beginning at age 10—the year he first picked up a golf club and carded a 51 in the first nine holes he ever played—through present day. The exhibition features items from his youth and storied amateur career trophies, his first paycheck, medals, awards, clothing and more.

The Golden Circle takes visitors through Nicklaus' past, from the impact of his family and his upbringing to his present family life as a husband, father and grandfather. Visitors can even go back in time to a fabricated pharmacy soda shop, reminiscent of the family owned pharmacy where Nicklaus spent with hours with his father, Charlie.

A Gentle Bear tells of both Jack and Barbara Nicklaus' devotion to a number of charitable causes, including the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and the support of the Columbus Childrens Hospital through the Memorial Tournament, the prestigious PGA TOUR event Nicklaus founded and hosts annually outside Columbus, Ohio. Guests also can view Nicklaus' Presidential Medal of Freedom—America's highest civil award for meritorious achievement in public service—on display to the public for the first time.

Jack of All Trades reveals Nicklaus' contribution in golf outside of his individual playing career. His involvement with The Ryder Cup, Memorial Tournament and The Presidents Cup are represented and in addition, Nicklaus' Slazenger B51 golf ball used during the 1969 Ryder Cup, a tournament that was made famous for his concession to Tony Jacklin, is on display.

A Call to the Wild speaks to Nicklaus' outdoor passions other than golf. The exhibit captures his enthusiasm for fishing, with a variety of mementoes, including a scale model of Nicklaus' fishing boat, "Sea Bear," and a selection of awards including his 1976 Bahamas Bonefish Bonanza trophy.

The exhibit also features six video presentations that showcase various aspects of Nicklaus' life, from home videos to highlights from his 18 major championships and footage of him combining golf course design projects with fishing expeditions.

Our Induction Process

Trophy Tower affords a glittering view of World Golf Village and Kelly Lake and is perfect for receptions and intimate dinners.

Each year, the World Golf Hall of Fame adds to its membership of over 100 by inducting the greatest players and contributors in the game of golf. The "balloting season" begins in January when the PGA TOUR/Champions Tour and International ballots are distributed to their respective voting bodies.

There are five avenues for a player or contributor to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame: PGA TOUR ballot, International ballot, LPGA Point System, Lifetime Achievement category and Veteran's category.

Various criteria is set up for players to be eligible for the PGA TOUR and International ballots, including an age requirement of at least 40 years old and a necessary performance that includes a substantial amount of regular tournament victories and majors.

The LPGA Point System requires a player to be an active member of the LPGA Tour for 10 years and to have won either an LPGA major tournament, Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honors, plus a number of other tournament victories.

Nominations for the Lifetime Achievement category are made by the international voting body members. The category is designed for any male or female supporter of the sport whose primary role in the game has come outside the playing arena. The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors' Selection Committee decides this category each year.

Any male or female professional or amateur who played the bulk of his/her career before 1974 and may not have received proper recognition is eligible for selection through the Veteran's category. The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors' Selection Committee also decides this category each year.

About the World Golf Hall of Fame

More than 100 men and women who have played and contributed to the sport of golf are immortalized in the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Hall's mission is to celebrate and recognize these fine individuals and to serve as an inspiration to golfers and golf fans throughout the world.

World Golf Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf's greatest players and contributors and serves as an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. The Hall of Fame opened its doors at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., in 1998. Supported by the world's leading golf organizations, the Hall combines historic artifacts and personal memorabilia with interactive exhibits to tell the stories of the Hall of Fame members and the history of the game.

Guests of the World Golf Hall of Fame experience the fascinating and comprehensive tale of golf's history and its development from the cradle in Scotland through its growth to the far reaches of the world. An exhibit focuses on the role of The R&A, the history of the Open Championship, golf's longest-running major, and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Visitors are able to capture a keepsake photo of their party crossing the famous Swilcan Burn Bridge with the Old Course at St Andrews in the background, and try their hand at using hickory-shafted putters and gutta-percha balls on a replica 1880s-style putting green.

The heart and soul of the World Golf Hall of Fame lies within its membership. More than 100 players and contributors currently hold the honor of being World Golf Hall of Fame members. Their stories are referenced throughout the museum, though their true home is in the center of it, Shell Hall, named for the Hall of Fame's founding partner, Shell Oil Company. An extraordinary "Wall of Fame" donning hand-crafted bronze relief plaques of each member extends an entire wall and guests can search for statistics, sound bites, photographs and video clips in a comprehensive database developed by technology partner IBM.

As a fitting tribute to the highest achievement in golf, significant tournament trophies, including men's and women's majors, are artfully displayed in the Hall of Fame Tower. A Member Locker Room showcases memorabilia from many of the members, and guests have the opportunity to sink a long putt on a modern tournament-style putting green under the lights and cameras of a Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match. Video is featured throughout the museum, including the multi-screen experience called "Spirit of the Game" and a theater offering great championship moment highlights.

The Hall of Fame's exhibition program includes the opening of special exhibits devoted to its members throughout the year. Traditionally each spring during THE PLAYERS Championship, the Hall of Fame opens a marquee exhibit. Since 2003, the Hall of Fame has opened special exhibits on Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

What sets the World Golf Hall of Fame apart—in addition to its members—is its legion of volunteers. More than 200 men and women, all passionate golfers or fans, have found a way to "give back" to the game they love. The volunteers conduct guided tours and occasionally go a step further by portraying their Hall of Fame heroes in a series called "Storytellers."

The World Golf Hall of Fame is open year-round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas days, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets, $19 for adults with discounts for children, military, seniors and students, include a round on the 18-hole natural grass putting course and admission to a film at the adjacent IMAX Theater. Guided tours are offered several times daily.

For more information about vacations to the World Golf Hall of Fame, located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., call 1-800-WGV-GOLF or visit www.wgv.com . For information on special events, call 904-940-4123.