List offers unique look at ‘Jack’s tournament’

In the 40th anniversary of the Memorial Tournament (2015), below are 40 reasons that define this PGA TOUR stop, as hosted by 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus

Tiger Woods has Chris Solomon’s autograph.

Solomon, a 2004 graduate of Dublin Scioto High School, grew up in Muirfield Village. Since the ’90s, he would spend every day at the course during the week of the Memorial Tournament.

“When I got out of class on Wednesdays when I was younger, the most important thing to me was getting autographs,” Solomon said.

In 1999, the 12-year-old Solomon followed Woods during a practice round trying to land that coveted signature. Numerous attempts on the front nine failed, so he jumped ahead to wait between the No. 10 green and No. 11 tee.

As Woods made his way to the tee box, Solomon, standing at the front of the rope line, readied his blue Sharpie pen, but the throng of fans began to push forward.

“My arms got stuck out and I could feel Tiger’s shoulder rub up against my hand,” Solomon said. “I lost my hat in the fray. It was just mayhem.”

Woods passed and, when the crowd eased up, Solomon left to meet his friends behind the 11th green.

“Did you get it?” his friends asked.

“No, I couldn’t get it and I lost my hat,” Solomon said. “I think I wrote on his shirt, though. I felt his shoulder brush up against my hand.”

When Woods made it to the 11th green, Solomon and his friends could clearly see a blue Sharpie streak running from the buttons on the golfer’s shirt to his left shoulder.

“Sure enough, on the news that night, they showed a video of Tiger picking his ball up from the hole and you could see clear as day the mark across his chest,” Solomon said. “He has my autograph, but I never did get his.”

Solomon now works as an auditor for KPMG and is currently in an 18-month rotation in Amsterdam. Within the golf world -- fans, media, caddies and players alike -- he’s known for his popular golf blog and Twitter account @NoLayingUp.

After years of attending the Memorial as a fan, Solomon said he was granted a media pass to cover the Memorial Tournament last season.

“We started the Twitter account when we were bored,” said Solomon, whose college friends also regularly contribute to the site.

This is the first time Solomon will miss the Memorial.

“This is the tournament I know the best,” Solomon said. “I never had a full appreciation of how good the Memorial was until I went to other tournaments. The way they treat the players and the fans and the convenience of everything was unlike anything I experienced at any other tournament. You don’t appreciate it until you get away from it for a while.”

Because of how it goes about its business, the Memorial has become an annual highlight on the PGA Tour since the tournament’s inception in 1976.

The Memorial also is a key event on central Ohio’s sporting calendar. While most everybody who lives in or around Columbus has attended the tournament at least once, a large contingent of attendees, errr, excuse me Mr. Nicklaus, patrons aren’t even golfers or golf fans.

Memorial week is about more than just four rounds of golf. It’s also about things such as obtaining autographs or, in Solomon’s case, not so much.

So, to mark the 40th Memorial, here are 40 things -- some golf, some not -- that define the week of “Jack’s tournament.”

40) Inappropriate shoes -- Fashion is not going to get in the way of comfort for some female golf fans. You see it every year as you walk among the fairways at Muirfield Village Golf Club. And, boy, do you walk. As you shuffle through the crowds on the cart paths and rough in your tennis shoes, it’s inevitable to see a woman struggling to maneuver the terrain in a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps.

The footware choice of men is just as curious. Sure, men probably are living vicariously through Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson, but to the fella in the Foot Joys, “Hey, bud, why the golf shoes?” I’m sure your sticks are in the trunk of your car, too, but tournament officials aren’t going to spy those spikes and ask you to fill in for Phil Mickelson, who just withdrew (again).

39) Roger Maltbie’s pants -- Yes, more apparel talk. The winner of the inaugural Memorial in 1976 opted to wear plaid pants in his final round that screamed mid-’70s. If you can find a color photo or video (think: YouTube), it is a vision to behold.

38) Practice rounds -- The practice rounds -- Monday through Wednesday of tournament week -- are a perfect time for fans to see those tour pros in a relaxed atmosphere. Legend has it a fan once bet Tiger Woods $20 he couldn’t hit it on the green from a lie off the fairway and behind a tree. Tiger took the bet, knocked it on the green and walked away with the guy’s money. Hey, even if you’ve made more than $1 billion in your career, a bet is a bet.

37) Earpiece radios -- In conjunction with new sponsor Nationwide Insurance, earpieces started appearing in 2011. These small radios were tuned to the Sirius XM Radio broadcast. Now, fans -- well, the ones that are there for the actual golf -- are more in-tuned (pun intended) with what is going on in the tournament. They look dorky, but most everyone wears one. Now, about those Bluetooth headsets...

36) David Feherty -- He’s not on the radio broadcast, but he is a big part of the CBS television broadcast. He is hard to miss Saturday and Sunday walking with the final group. Ever meet a golf fan that doesn’t love and appreciate his witty commentary on the game? Didn’t think so.

35) Hole marshals -- Most, if not all, of the volunteers for the Memorial are a joy to converse with during the event. But be careful for those tasked with keeping you, the fan, quiet on the tee boxes or standing still around the greens. If you’re causing a ruckus, they’ll find you. Beware of the finger point and stern “Shhhh!” It’s humbling when directed at you.

34) Autographs -- After a player’s round, fans gather underneath the clubhouse to nab autographs from the tour pros. No longer are you allowed to get autographs on the course during practice rounds. Is that Solomon’s fault? Maybe. Generally, the post-round autograph seekers are kids, but also grown men have been seen lurching for a signature. Please stop, sir. It’s embarrassing.

33) Charity benefits -- No snide remark here. Since 2010, $2.9 million has been raised for the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital alliance, including $1 million this past year.

32) Sister events -- The success of the Memorial has allowed Muirfield Village Golf Club to be the only course to host a PGA Tour event, a Ryder Cup, a Presidents Cup, a Solheim Cup and a U.S. Amateur. This course is due for a major. PGA Championship, anyone?

31) Practice range -- To a golf nerd, there is nothing that quite compares to watching a professional golfer swing a club. The large stands behind the Muirfield Village range offer a perfect vantage point for weekend hackers to bask in perfection.

30) Free parking/timely shuttles -- General parking is free? Yes. Free. It’s quite a novel concept for sporting events nowadays, but not at the Memorial. Meanwhile, since the free lots are far from the course, shuttles are needed. They hold nine passengers and are abundant and air-conditioned. You do enough walking at the course. A ride in these shuttles to and from the parking lots is a sweet, sweet respite.

29) Green trashcans -- It’s the first of many nods The Memorial gives toward The Masters.

28) Patron Village & Golden Bear Club -- If you know the right person and/or have some extra cash, this oasis between holes Nos. 10 and 14 offers fans a chance to sit down in shade, saddle up to a bar and watch the tournament on television.

27) Lines at porta-potties -- No discrimination here. Man or woman: expect there to be a wait.

26) Dates of the tournament -- For the first 26 years, the Memorial ended the day before Memorial Day 18 times. Since 2003, it always has followed Memorial Day. Everyone from fans to the tournament’s officials prefer the current set up and it has no signs of changing back anytime soon.

25) Paul B. Latshaw -- He is the superintendent at Muirfield Village and his job is to make sure the course looks good. And it does. Every year, the course draws rave reviews from tournament officials, players and spectators. Seriously, when you’re out there for the tournament, try to find a weed or brown spot. Just one. I dare you.

24) Memorial gear -- One can never have too many golf shirts. Whether the lines form at the pro shop inside the clubhouse or the makeshift tent near the practice range, fans with credit cards at the ready are picking up gear emblazoned with the Memorial logo.

23) Backyard envy -- Inevitably, as you walk around the course your attention turns from the golf to the homes. Gawking at the backyard landscaping of those multi-million dollar homes is either inspiriting or depressing compared to your plot back home.

22) Huston’s course record -- If you need further evidence the game of golf is weird, consider John Huston. In 1996, he carded a second-round 11-under-par 61 to set the course record, and followed it up with two rounds of even-par to finish fifth.

21) Lehman’s flu-riddled record-setting score -- The record still stands today. In 1994, Tom Lehman won the Memorial with a four-day total of 268, or 20-under par. Talk about consistency: Each day he shot a 67. Not only was he battling the course and a strong field, but also a bout with the flu in the final two rounds. As if golf isn’t hard enough: See No. 22.

20) Azinger’s hole-out in 1993 -- It is perhaps the most iconic shot in the history of the Memorial. Tied with good friend and playing partner Payne Stewart entering the 72nd hole, Paul Azinger holed out from a greenside bunker for a birdie while Stewart finished with a bogey.

19) Memorial Park -- Located next to the first tee, the park (think -- Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park) features plaques of all the past Memorial honorees. A great place to teach non-golf fans a little of the sport’s history.

18) Barbara Nicklaus -- Why is Jack’s wife at No. 18? Not only has Barbara been an integral part of helping her husband host the Memorial, but also Jack has admitted she’s been key to his record 18 major tournament victories.

“Were it not for Barbara, I would have been just another golfer,” Nicklaus said after receiving a Congressional Gold Medal on March 24. “People have asked me to quantify Barbara’s importance in my career. I’d have to say she’s responsible for at least 15 major championships. I’ll give myself credit for three.”

17) The Wednesday Pro-Am -- Annoyed pros, well-to-do businessmen and women playing bad golf. This has it all. The tour pros aren’t big fans of this exercise, but they are mandated to participate. The Pro-Am offers a chance, like a practice round, to interact with some pros in a very relaxed setting and walk the course without battling throngs of people.

16) Trio of finishing holes -- Nos. 16, 17 and 18 have all been tweaked and, in a tournament setting, are among the toughest trio of finishing holes on the PGA Tour. In last year’s Memorial, No. 18 was the toughest, No. 16 the second toughest and No. 17 the fourth toughest. That’s tough.

15) The trophy -- In 1966, Nicklaus completed the first of his three career grand slams by winning the British Open at Muirfield in Scotland. The Muirfield Village logo that tops the trophy in crystal is an image of the Claret Jug, given to the winner of the British Open. The only difference is Nicklaus’ version faces the opposite direction as a sign of respect to Europe’s major championship.

14) Hole No. 14 -- This short par-4 proves that to be a good golf hole, it doesn’t need to be long. A creek that runs along the left side of the fairway and cuts in front of the green presents players with a dilemma. “Do I drive the green or play short to give myself a tough pitch shot?” Behind the green, a large hill and stands make this an excellent vantage point from which to spend the day. It doesn’t hurt there is a beer stand a chip shot away.

13) The Bogey Inn -- Not ready to return home after a long day watching millionaires play really good golf? The Bogey Inn restaurant and bar is a favorite post-round spot for fans, caddies and even a few of the golfers. All week this is a hopping place where the party makes its way off Muirfield Village.

12) Hole No. 12 -- It is Muirfield Village’s signature hole and, of all the nods the tournament gives toward The Masters, this one is the biggest. The hole is almost an exact replica of Augusta National’s No. 12, although the former is a little longer. But like Golden Bell, Nicklaus’ hole also requires a tee shot to a skinny green fronted by a bunker and water. It’s picturesque and last year played as the tournament’s fifth-most difficult hole.

11) The milkshakes -- They are reserved for the players and their families, but if you can get hooked up, they’re the best milkshakes you’ll ever taste. No, seriously.

10) Don’t refer to them as fans -- Like No. 12 and the green trash cans, we continue the Memorial’s similarities to Nicklaus’ favorite course and tournament -- Augusta National’s The Masters. Don’t refer to those who attend the Memorial as fans or the golf gallery. Like down south, they’re called “patrons.”

9) Caddy overalls -- While Augusta National features the caddies in coveralls, the professional loopers at Muirfield Village sport a white overcoat.

8) Manual scoreboards -- Unlike other PGA Tour events, the Memorial doesn’t have large video replay scoreboards near each green. They are all manually updated.

7) House parties -- Most attendees might not know the difference between a birdie and a bogey, but the people at these house parties throughout the course never have a bad time and are fueled by the envy of those who don’t have access.

6) The rain -- It’s bound to happen. At some point during the tournament, there is going to be a delay in play because of rain. You can thank Chief Leatherlips’ curse.

5) The annual honoree -- Each year, the tournament takes time to honor someone who has been integral to the game of golf. History is important in golf, and anyone who has ever made significant contributions has been or will be honored.

4) Past winners -- The list reads as a who’s who of the game’s most accomplished golfers. Nicklaus. Watson. Irwin. Norman. Floyd. Singh. Els. Furyk. Of course, leading that group is ...

3) Five-time Tiger -- Woods has won this event a record five times, including three in a row from 1999-2001. His fifth win in 2012 was punctuated with a hole-out behind the No. 16 green for birdie. It ranks up there with Azinger’s bunker shot as the most iconic image of the Memorial.

2) The course -- Muirfield Village Golf Club is perennially ranked among the top courses in the country by the golf media. Nicklaus constantly makes changes to keep the course fresh and challenging for its members and pros alike. It stands as one of the favorite stops among PGA Tour pros.

Pete Dye, an Ohio native, has designed golf courses all over the world. He is considered one of the best. When Nicklaus chose a plot of land in Dublin on which to build Muirfield Village, Dye said the property Nicklaus picked is “the best site I’ve ever seen that doesn’t have mountains or the ocean -- the best inland site I’ve ever seen.”

1) This is Jack’s tournament -- At 75 years old, Nicklaus remains an icon in the game of golf. His playing days are long gone, but his accomplishments, his course designs and the Memorial are well known by anyone who has ever swung a club at a Titleist.

His presence makes the Memorial Tournament one of the premier stops on tour.

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Story originally published here