Jack is back!

To me, spring is synonymous with Jack Nicklaus. It has been 30 years since television announcer Vern Lundquist emphatically declared, “yes, sir” when the 46-year-old Golden Bear showed the golf world that hibernation was not in his vernacular as he roared back to win the 1986 Masters in what might have been the most exciting major championship of all time. The greatest golfer to ever play the game still had the magic touch and proved it to the world that memorable Sunday.

Many others have done this already, but I feel it’s time I give Jack his due -- as a spokesperson for the game, award-winning citizen, golf course architect and the countless other ways he loves the game.

So yes, “Jack is back,” but to be honest, he never went anywhere.

Start with the annual Memorial Tournament, which he created on a course he designed. Every year, great golfers of the past are honored at the event, showing his great respect for the game’s history and traditions. It’s the next best thing to Augusta as a reminder of golf’s past. There’s at least one other comparison between the Masters and the Memorial. When Jack won the ’86 Masters, his last major, it was Paul Latshaw Sr. who oversaw preparations at Augusta National; today, son Paul Latshaw Jr. carries on his father’s legacy by doing agronomic duties at Muirfield Village.

Like many of you, I’ve watched Jack since I was a boy. The first time we met was in 1985 on a construction site at Dallas Athletic Club, where he won his first PGA Championship (1963). I was merely the “designated driver” for Jack as he prepared an architectural renovation of that great course. He was larger than life to me, and I was amazed at what he saw, how he looked at things on and around the course. Three years later, when I met him again during the U.S. Open at The Country Club, I was astounded—and pleased—that he remembered me from that passing visit. I was a fan of Jack from that moment on.

While Jack and I may not see eye to eye on all matters golf—such as rolling back the golf ball or the need for 8,000-yard golf courses—I admire him in many ways. My list just scratches the surface of what he means to the game; I’m sure you can think of a few more qualities I’ve missed.

Longevity. Now 76, he is still a presence, an influencer and a force in our business. He also donates lots of time and effort to charitable causes, and, not coincidentally, was awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor in 2015.

He is an advocate for all things golf, looking out for players at his level—and my level, as well. He’s not shy about stating his opinion, which was evident at the Masters this year when, once again, he called for the governing bodies to roll back the golf ball. While we might not agree on the how, Jack and I both feel the game has become too much about distance, which has a particularly negative effect on our business.

As a golf course designer, Jack takes risks, receives criticism, and oversees a successful business and a vast empire of products. The Nicklaus courses I’ve played are consistently well designed, challenging, and if you can hit a high fade, you’re going to score well.

Nicklaus Design has more than 390 courses open for play in 41 countries and 39 states; of those, Jack himself has been involved in 290. No fewer than 140 Nicklaus Design courses have hosted a combined total of more than 900 professional or significant amateur tournaments worldwide. The firm currently has more than 45 golf courses under development in 19 countries.

Jack also has been an innovator in design. Realizing that he had to test the best players in the world, he decided to make sand bunkers true hazards by furrowing the sand to create more challenge.

Back in 1991, when I was readying Pebble Beach for the following year’s U.S. Open, Jack came out to offer his perspective as player and architect. He still had his notes from victories in both the 1961 U.S. Amateur and 1972 U.S. Open, as well as the 1982 U.S. Open, to guide us. Jack set the tone in getting the course “Open-ready,” one more example of how he gives generously back to golf.

He’s the ultimate sportsman. Who can forget the putt he conceded to Tony Jacklin at the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale, allowing that event to end in a tie? Or his graciousness in defeat? Jack won 18 major championships, but he also finished second 19 times! And never complained, made excuses or was anything other than magnanimous in defeat.

Husband, father, grandfather are likely his favorite roles these days. And the man loves his ice cream (www.jacknicklausicecream.com). Check out the triple chocolate. Yes, sir!