Jack Stepping Down From Day-to-Day Operations

Jack Nicklaus’ name is iconic and he’s turned the companies that use it into multi-million dollar endeavors.

Even before his playing days were over, Jack headed up the fledgling businesses, which have now come to include a golf course design firm, an ice cream company and a beverage line. Late last week, at age 78, Nicklaus announced he would be stepping down from his day-to-day duties. 

ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell broke the news.

Jack Nicklaus stepped down from day-to-day operations within his Nicklaus Companies on Thursday, announcing in a statement that he wants to focus on other things.

The 78-year-old Nicklaus will become co-chairman, while his businesses — which include golf course design and licensing deals, among others — will be taken over by Nicklaus Companies investor Howard Milstein, who will become executive chairman of the company.

“I have spent my life building Nicklaus Companies, and there has come a time in my life when I need to reduce my level of involvement and pursue many other things I am interested in such as charity work,” said Nicklaus, who added that he is in “excellent” health.

Nicklaus has designed 415 courses open for play across 45 countries and 39 states.

Golf Digest estimated that Nicklaus made $20 million in 2016, their last estimated year.

Milstein, a billionaire banker, bought 49 percent of Nicklaus Companies for $145 million in 2007. Since that investment, Milstein has pushed Nicklaus to use his brand name outside of golf, including on an ice cream and beverage line.

[ESPN.com]

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