34 / 42
Scioto Country Club
Helped Shape Jack Nicklaus
Scioto Country Club is very
proud of the way one of its own,
the Golden Bear, grew up.
Young Jack’s father, Charlie
was a pharmacist by vocation
and had played football at
Ohio State University. He
continued to enjoy all athletic
endeavors after college, but
as age besets all athletes, he
hurt his ankle playing in a
pick-up basketball game and
his doctor advised walking to
help strengthen it.
Since golf required walking,
Charlie decided to give it a
try. He had moved his young
family to Upper Arlington
and joined nearby Scioto
Country Club. Jack tagged
along with his dad to the
course and hit a few shots on
the range. He, like his father,
enjoyed all sports, excelling
at football and basketball, but
golf caught his fancy.
Charlie decided that young
jackneeded to learn toplay the
game correctly and Scioto’s
head golf professional, Jack
Grout was given the task of
developing the young talent.
Grout recognized the gifts his
pupil possessed and nurtured
his abilities.
This was a different time,
Upper Arlington was a
sleepy suburb of Columbus
in the 1950’s and Jack could
easily walk the 3 blocks
to the course, drop a ball
and commence his round.
It takes a village to raise a child……African Proverb
NWO Golf Links