Jack William Nicklaus, also known as 'the Golden Bear', was born on January 21, 1940. He is a retired American professional golfer and golf course designer.

In 1953, Jack Nicklaus won the Ohio State Junior Championship (13-15 yrs), marking one of his 18 impressive amateur wins.

In 1954, Jack Nicklaus clinched victory at the Tri-State High School Championship (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana), showcasing his early talent in golf.

In 1957, Jack Nicklaus earned the nickname 'The Golden Bear' during his high school years in Ohio, a moniker that would become synonymous with his legendary golf career.

Nicklaus participated in his first PGA tournament at the age of 18 in the 1958 Rubber City Open Invitational at Akron's Firestone Country Club. He performed well, finishing in 12th place with rounds of 67, 66, 76, and 68.

In 1959, while attending Ohio State, Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Amateur by defeating Charles Coe in the final match, becoming the then-youngest champion in the modern era.

In July 1960, Jack Nicklaus married Barbara Bash, who was a nursing student at Ohio State University.

In September 1961, Jack Nicklaus and Barbara Bash welcomed their first child, Jack Jr.

In October 1961, Jack Nicklaus decided to turn professional in order to support his family, abandoning his initial plan of remaining an amateur golfer.

In November 1961, at the age of 21, Jack Nicklaus decided to pursue a professional golf career, marking a significant turning point in his life. This decision laid the foundation for his legendary success in the sport.

In 32 out of 38 appearances, including 23 consecutively from 1962 through 1984, Jack Nicklaus made the cut in golf tournaments, highlighting his remarkable ability to consistently qualify for the later stages of events.

In June 1962, Jack Nicklaus claimed his first U.S. Open title, the first of his four victories in this major golf championship.

In his 17th start on the PGA Tour, Nicklaus won his first PGA tournament by defeating Arnold Palmer in a playoff at the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont. This victory marked his first major championship win and solidified his place in the golfing world.

On April 7, 1963, Jack Nicklaus won his first Masters Tournament, the first of his six victories in this prestigious golf event.

On July 13, 1963, Jack Nicklaus secured his first PGA Championship, the beginning of his five victories in this esteemed golf tournament.

From 1964 through 1984, Jack Nicklaus made 21 consecutive cuts in golf tournaments, showcasing his consistency and skill over two decades.

After making some minor changes to Augusta National, Nicklaus successfully defended his Masters title in 1965, winning in an 18-hole playoff over Gay Brewer and Tommy Jacobs.

From 1966 to 1980, Jack Nicklaus never finished worse than sixth in golf tournaments, demonstrating his exceptional consistency and competitiveness over a long period.

In July 1966, Jack Nicklaus clinched his second British Open title, adding to his impressive list of major championship wins.

Nicklaus won the U.S. Open for the second time in 1967 at Baltusrol, breaking Hogan's 72-hole record and finishing with a dramatic 1-iron shot on the 72nd hole.

In 1968, IBM kept PGA Tour statistics where Jack Nicklaus led in average driving distance and hitting 75 percent of greens in regulation. His ball-striking ability and power were attributed to his exceptional swing tempo.

Nicklaus started playing on Ryder Cup teams in 1969. If today's qualification standards were applied retroactively, he would have been eligible for the 1963, 1965, and 1967 teams. He would have likely been on the 1979 team as well if captain's picks were available earlier.

From 1970 to 1980, Jack Nicklaus achieved a record 11 straight top-five finishes in golf tournaments, showcasing his dominance and skill during that period.

Nicklaus won the 1970 Open Championship in Scotland under difficult scoring conditions, defeating Doug Sanders in an 18-hole playoff round. He clinched the victory with an eagle putt on the 18th hole.

In 1971, Jack Nicklaus had a remarkable year in golf, winning multiple PGA tournaments including the Tournament of Champions and the National Team Championship. He also set a new single-season money record and claimed his third World Cup individual title. Nicklaus achieved several course records and had an impressive record in the Ryder Cup competition.

In June 1972, Jack Nicklaus claimed another U.S. Open title, adding to his major championship victories.

On August 12, 1973, American golfer Jack Nicklaus won the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) championship for his 14th major title, surpassing Bobby Jones’ record of 13 major championships. Nicklaus went on to win 18 major tournaments, a record that still stands today.

On December 1, 1973, Jack Nicklaus became the first PGA Tour player to reach the $2,000,000 mark in career earnings.

On May 27, 1974, Muirfield Village golf course, co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Desmond Muirhead, was officially dedicated with an exhibition match between Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.

On April 13, 1975, Jack Nicklaus won his fifth Masters tournament by defeating Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller in a thrilling final round battle. His victory was highlighted by a 40-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole.

In 1976, Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural semi-full field World Series of Golf championship by four shots over Hale Irwin. This victory marked his third official PGA event win at Firestone Country Club.

In 1977, Jack Nicklaus became the first player to break 270 for four rounds in a golf tournament, showcasing his exceptional skill and setting a new milestone in the sport.

On May 2, 1977, Jack Nicklaus achieved another milestone by reaching the $3,000,000 mark in career earnings on the PGA Tour.

On July 15, 1978, Jack Nicklaus emerged victorious at the British Open, adding another major championship to his illustrious career.

In 1979, Jack Nicklaus faced a lapse in form and did not win a tournament, marking the first year in his professional career without a PGA Tour victory.

On August 10, 1980, Jack Nicklaus emerges victorious at the 1980 PGA Championship, adding another major title to his illustrious career. This win further cements his status as one of the most successful and revered golfers of all time.

During the final round of the 1982 U.S. Open, Jack Nicklaus set a record by making five consecutive birdies, demonstrating his exceptional performance under pressure.

February 6, 1983, marked the day when Jack Nicklaus reached the $4,000,000 mark in career earnings, solidifying his position as a top earner in PGA Tour history.

In 1984, Jack Nicklaus advised a young Canadian golfer, Mike Weir, to continue playing left-handed despite suggestions to switch to right-handed play. Weir followed Nicklaus's advice and went on to become a Masters champion.

On April 13, 1986, Jack Nicklaus continued his successful streak by securing his 6th Masters win. This victory added to his already impressive list of achievements in golf, showcasing his enduring talent and determination in the sport.

Jack Nicklaus reached the $5,000,000 mark in career earnings on August 20, 1988, further establishing his financial success in professional golf.

In January 1990, Jack Nicklaus became eligible to join the Senior PGA Tour, now known as the PGA Tour Champions. Despite playing a limited schedule, he went on to win 10 tournaments, including eight major championships.

Jack Nicklaus won a golf tournament by defeating Rodríguez in an 18-hole playoff. Nicklaus scored 65 while Rodríguez scored 69.

In 1992, Jack Nicklaus founded Nicklaus Golf Equipment, which manufactures equipment under three brands: Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus Signature, and Nicklaus Premium.

At the age of 53 in 1993, Jack Nicklaus became the oldest first-round leader, co-leading with four others after shooting a 67.

In 1994, Jack Nicklaus won the Senior PGA Tour's version of the Mercedes Championship for his only win of the year.

In 1995, Jack Nicklaus was honored with induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, highlighting his impact on golf beyond the United States.

In 1996, Jack Nicklaus became the first person to win the same Senior PGA Tour event four times by capturing The Tradition tournament.

In 1998, at the age of 58, Jack Nicklaus tied for sixth place at the Masters despite being hampered by a painful left hip. His five-under-par 283 was the lowest 72-hole score in the Masters by a player older than fifty at that time.

At a dinner celebrating golf's first 100 years in the United States, Jack Nicklaus was honored as the Player of the Century. The selection was made by golf writers and officials, highlighting Nicklaus' dedication and commitment to the game.

In 2000, the individual was honored by being inducted into the Memorial Honorees at the Memorial Tournament.

In 2001, the individual became the first golfer and only the third athlete in the award's history to receive the Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence.

In 2002, Jack Nicklaus co-wrote the book 'Nicklaus by Design' with Chris Millard.

Jack Nicklaus co-founded the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004 with his wife Barbara. The foundation has raised over $100 million in less than 15 years and has had a significant impact on children's health care.

Jack Nicklaus played his last competitive tournament in the United States at the Champions Tour's Bayer Advantage Classic in Overland Park, Kansas.

In 2005, Jack Nicklaus finished his professional career at The Open Championship played at St Andrews, stating that it was where he wanted to finish his major career.

On October 28, 2006, Jack Nicklaus had the honor of 'dotting the 'i'' of 'Script Ohio' at the Ohio State homecoming game, a prestigious recognition in the Ohio State University Marching Band tradition.

Jack Nicklaus co-wrote the book 'Jack Nicklaus: Memories and Mementos from Golf’s Golden Bear' with David Shedloski in 2007.

In January 2008, the individual was presented with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship by the Woodrow Wilson Center of the Smithsonian Institution in Palm Beach, Florida.

In April 2009, the individual was presented with the Charlie Bartlett Award from the Golf Writers Association of America for four decades of charitable work with children.

In June 2009, the individual was presented with the National Pathfinder Award at the annual Pathfinder Awards Banquet in Indiana for dedication to youth in need, particularly through the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation.

In 2010, Jack Nicklaus joined Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for the Masters tournament, marking the eighth time the tradition had taken place since 1963.

In 2012, Gary Player joined Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to kick off the 76th renewal of the Masters Tournament, reuniting the iconic 'Big Three' in Augusta.

On May 19, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a bill awarding Jack Nicklaus the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.

At the age of 75, Jack Nicklaus hit his first-ever hole-in-one at the Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters' Par 3 Contest while playing with Gary Player and Ben Crenshaw.

Jack Nicklaus received the Lincoln Medal in 2018, making him one of the four individuals in history to achieve this prestigious recognition. The award highlighted his remarkable career and contributions to society.

On July 11, 2022, Jack Nicklaus was honored with the Freedom of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, recognizing his contributions and impact on the golfing world.