Jack Nicklaus Family Tree: The Story Behind Golf's Golden Bear

Jack William Nicklaus, born 21 January 1940 in Columbus, Ohio, USA, is the American golfer with the most Major Championships in history — 18 Majors (6 Masters, 5 PGA, 4 US Open, 3 Open); 73 PGA Tour wins (3rd all-time); nicknamed the "Golden Bear".

The Family's Roots: An Ohio Family

The Nicklaus family is from Columbus, Ohio.

His Parents

Father: Louis Charles Nicklaus Jr. (1913–1970) — pharmacist; owned Nicklaus Pharmacy chain in Columbus.

Mother: Helen Schoener Nicklaus — Ohio homemaker.

His Siblings

Marilyn Nicklaus Hutchinson, born 1943 — sister.

His Wife: Barbara Bash

Barbara Jean Bash Nicklaus — American. Married Jack on 23 July 1960 at Ohio State University.

Their Children

Jack William Nicklaus II, born 23 September 1961 — son; golf course architect; PGA Tour player (limited).

Steven Charles Nicklaus, born 1963 — son; golf course architect.

Nancy Jean "Nan" Nicklaus, born 1965 — daughter.

Gary Thomas Nicklaus, born 1969 — son; former PGA Tour and Champions Tour player.

Michael Scott Nicklaus, born 1973 — son.

The Nicklaus Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Louis Charles Nicklaus Jr. (1913–1970) — pharmacist.

Mother: Helen Schoener Nicklaus.

Sister: Marilyn Nicklaus Hutchinson (b. 1943).

Wife: Barbara Jean Bash Nicklaus (m. 23 July 1960).

Children: Jack II (b. 23 September 1961) — architect; Steve (b. 1963) — architect; Nan (b. 1965); Gary (b. 1969) — pro golfer; Michael (b. 1973).

22 Grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren.

Jack Nicklaus:

  • Born 21 January 1940, Columbus
  • Ohio State 1957-1961 (2× NCAA champion)
  • 2× US Amateur champion: 1959, 1961
  • Turned pro November 1961
  • 18 Major Championships: Masters (1963, 65, 66, 72, 75, 86); US Open (1962, 67, 72, 80); Open (1966, 70, 78); PGA (1963, 71, 73, 75, 80) — record
  • 73 PGA Tour wins — 3rd all-time
  • 1986 Masters at age 46 — oldest Masters winner
  • 8× Runner-up in Majors — second-most all-time
  • Ryder Cup: 6× (playing 1969-1981)
  • Nicklaus Design: over 400 golf courses designed worldwide
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2005
  • Congressional Gold Medal: 2015

What the Nicklaus Family Story Teaches Us

A pharmacist father. An Ohio-homemaker mother. A sister. A 65-year marriage. Five children, four sons of whom two are golf-course architects and one is a pro golfer. Twenty-two grandchildren. A career that set the all-time Major Championship record — 18.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Golden Bear story carries the same lesson. Some legacies span three generations of golf.

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