Each year, Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament nominates a person, living or dead, to honor at that year’s event for their contributions to the game, and 2025’s honoree is perhaps the most meaningful one yet to the tournament host.
Even more meaningful than Nicklaus himself.
During his annual visit to the CBS broadcast booth during the final round of the 2024 Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus was given the stage by Jim Nantz to announce the honoree for next year’s Memorial Tournament, the 50th edition of the event.
The production crew behind the booth cameras started applauding and cheering, a rarity in the television business, but warranted given the announcement.
Both Nantz and Trevor Immeleman offered their praise.
“Barbara has meant so much to this tournament,” Jack said. “Everybody has honored Jack Nicklaus, but Barbara Nicklaus has been right there through everything that’s happened. And the captains felt like that for the 50th running of the Memorial, that it was fitting that Barbara be the honoree.
“I broke down and cried the other night and I’m crying again now.”
Since Nicklaus founded the tournament in 1976, a “Captains Club” selects at least one individual to honor for each year’s tournament. According to the Memorial’s website, this was Nicklaus’ idea to honor “perpetuating achievements of the game’s greatest individuals.”
