Barbara Bash was an incoming freshman at Ohio State in 1957 when the Clintonville girl met a pretty good golfer, a freshman from Upper Arlington named Jack Nicklaus.
Jack’s patience on the golf course did not carry over to his dating. The first week on campus, he was casually dating a friend of Barbara’s when the friend introduced him to the former North High Polar Bear. After the friend left for class, the Golden Bear wasted little time. He walked Barbara to the bacteriology building, where she worked part time − she was enrolled in OSU’s pre-nursing program − and that night called her for a date.
Three weeks later, after both continued to see other people, things got serious. And stayed that way. The couple will have been married 65 years in July.
What else to know?
Barbara Nicklaus was on North’s and Ohio State’s homecoming courts
Barbara was on North’s homecoming court as a senior and Ohio State’s homecoming court in 1959. She played volleyball and basketball at North, but knew nothing about golf when she met Jack.
Barbara Nicklaus: Recipient of first PGA of America First Lady of Golf Award
Barbara was the inaugural recipient of the PGA of America’s First Lady of Golf Award in 1998, given to women who make significant contributions to the promotion of the game.
She took that definition further by immersing herself in charitable causes both inside and outside of golf, including working closely with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
She also received the USGA’s Bob Jones Award in 2015 and PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award in 2019.
Nicklaus family includes five children, 24 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren
The Nicklauses, both age 85, raised five children − Jack II, Steve, Nan, Gary and Michael − and have 24 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Arnold Palmer’s wife Winnie was Barbara Nicklaus’ best friend among PGA Tour wives
Barbara’s best friend among wives of PGA Tour players was Winnie Palmer, whose husband Arnold was Jack’s chief rival through the 1960s.
Woman of detail, Barbara Nicklaus takes care of Memorial fans
Jack Nicklaus, a known stickler for detail when it comes to the Memorial Tournament, takes a backseat to Barbara when it comes to focusing on elements of the event that will make spectators’ viewing experience more enjoyable, no matter the cost.
“The first day of the tournament, I walk around with my little pad and say, ‘OK, this tree limb has to go on (hole) 9,’ ” she explained. “And Jack goes, ‘You have to be kidding me. You know how much it costs?’ And I say, ‘You’ve got to do it for the spectators.’ ”
Barbara and Jack Nicklaus couple keep close eye on Ohio State football
Jack and Barbara moved from Columbus to South Florida in 1966 but never lost their love of the Buckeyes, returning to OSU’s campus as least once a season to watch an Ohio State game in person.
Sports columnist Rob Oller can be reached at roller@dispatch.com and on X.com at@rollerCD. Read his columns from the Buckeyes’ national championship season in “Scarlet Reign,” a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Dispatch. Details at OhioState.Champs.com
