life on tour
The Insperity Invitational
- A Champions Tour event
David Merriman
[email protected]
T
he year was 1975. I was a trainee at the Australian
Golf Club. Kerry Packer, who was instrumental in
bringing great golfers to Australia, had arranged for
Jack Nicklaus to play in the Australian Open at the Australian
Golf Club. I was tasked to show Mr Nicklaus around the
Aussie and introduce him to the staff. During the week of the
tournament I decided to be a bit brave and ask Mr Nicklaus
if I would be able to have his golf bag at the end of the
tournament. Mr Nicklaus said “fine by me”. Nicklaus won the
Australian Open that year, and at the end of the week, I was
presented with Nicklaus’ golf bag along with a practice bag
full of balls. I was truly delighted and hoped that I would be
able to get Mr Nicklaus to sign the bag some day.
Fast forward to May 2014: After winning the 2013 Australian
Legends Order of Merit, I received an invitation from the
Champions Tour to attend the Insperity Invitational at
Woodlands Country Club, Houston Texas. Imagine my
delight. It was a truly great week and an honour to be able to
attend. I took my good friend Shaun O’Toole who caddied for
me at the event and was a great support during the week. As
we arrived well before the tournament began Shaun was able
to play a round with me at Woodlands. He held his own until
he saw the spectators stands around the 16th 17th and 18th
holes!
I played in two pro-ams and in the first round of the
tournament was drawn with Order of Merit winners for
Europe and Asia. During the week I was lucky enough to
draw with Corey Pavin, Hal Sutton and Morris Hatalsky. They
were very supportive of my attendance at the event. The
Fuzzy Zoeller’s “loud” truck at the 2014 Insperity Invitational
course was tough and played hard with a lot of water, but I
played well during the tournament. Fuzzy Zoeller brings his
own truck to this event and Shaun and I were lucky enough
to have a good look over it. The entire rear of the truck was
composed of speakers, from which Zoeller would blast music
from outside the restaurant where the players were eating.
We always knew when he arrived!
The highlight of the week was the attendance at the event
by golf greats Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary
Player, Raymond Floyd, Johnny Miller, Don January, Tony
Jacklin, David Graham and Doug Sanders. There was a special
dinner for Arnold Palmer on the Thursday night. It was held
at the Marriott Hotel and the greats all occupied the head
tables and entertained the players with stories about each
other. It was an exceptional evening. On the Saturday of
the tournament all except Mr Palmer played in an exhibition
event. At the end of their round they left the course through
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FOOTNOTE: A bit of trivia: Mr Nicklaus played with a 1.68 inch
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David Merriman is an Australian PGA Tour Player and
Teaching Professional at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
Contact him on 0412 44 22 05.
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a specially designated area where they signed autographs
and spoke to the crowd. Nicklaus and Trevino took an hour to
walk just 20 metres along this roped off area, their popularity
and commitment to the game so great. I was in the
clubhouse waiting patiently with a photo of myself standing
next to the bag that Jack Nicklaus gave to me in 1975. As Jack
came into the club house I took courage once again and told
him the story about the golf bag. With a twinkle in his eye
and grin of delight he aut