TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#30 July 25 2005

Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

"I'm really not concerned with any legacy I may leave in golf. I'm more concerned with what is my legacy with my family, my kids and my grandkids", was Jack Nicklaus' reply to a reporter's question. Jack had just walked off the 18th green at St. Andrew's Old Course having failed to make "the cut", and was now in the interview room at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

Eighty golfers qualified for the final two days for the 134th British Open, a championship Jack had won three times, but Nicklaus was three over par (75-72=147) and would not play the final two days. He had announced prior to this tournament that this British Open would be his final one. Oh, did he ever want to make "the cut" for this one; just to walk across the Swilcan Burn Bridge on the last day (Sunday).

What emotions must have gone through his mind as he took that hike up the 18th fairway knowing that his time had come? What would you be thinking? You've played golf all your life. You are respected more that any golfer in the world today. You are 65 years of age - the oldest in this tournament, and disappointed you shot three over par the day before. You approach a tricky downhill 14-foot putt that would give you a 72 - par - for this round. The entire crowd is on its feet, applauding, cheering, calling your name, tears running down their cheeks. Your caddy, son Steve, who lost his toddler son in a drowning accident a few months back, also had swollen eyes filled with tears for his dad.

"I wanted that putt badly," said Nicklaus of that birdie that gave him an even par for that second round. "Badly"? What difference did a 72 vs. a 73 make? He had missed the cut, (145), anyway. To Jack, it was the pride with which he always played the game. And now, at 65, he would not return to the British Open because he did want to "embarrass myself by shooting in the 80's", he said.

Yet his thoughts were not about him - the famous golfer, but about leaving the best legacy he could to his family. Jack Nicklaus - the epitome of a role model.

Will your thoughts be on your family when you think about your legacy?

Look for my new book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

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