It took Jack Nicklaus ten years, but he succeeded. He designed and built a professional golf course near his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. In fact, since 1999, when Jack walks the course he has to pass a statue of himself!
Jack designed the course. Jack played his own course. And then, in 1977, Jack won his own tournament.
Maybe Jack had an advantage. Or did he?
- Can sketches on a cocktail napkin correct your swing?
- Can dreams make 75-foot putts?
- Choosing the location of a sand trap won’t help when you’re in the rough behind a tree 90 yards from the green, will it?
Like Jack, Jesus DESIGNED THE COURSE.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being…the world came into being through Him – John 1:1-3, 10
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together – Col. 1:15-17
You were part of HIS dream.
You were part of HIS creative vision.
Like Jack, Jesus also PLAYED THE COURSE.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth John *testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me – John 1:14,15
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men – Php. 2:5-7
Our God played His own course. We didn’t have a say as to whether we would be entered into this tournament. What’s worse, the course is seemingly impossible; it seems to me the least God could do was grab a set of clubs and take a few swings. And that’s precisely what He did in Christ.
Like Jack, Jesus WON THE TOURNAMENT
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name – Php. 2:8-9
this Jesus whom God raised up…He has been exalted at the right hand of God – Acts 2:32,33
[Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:2b
He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything – Col. 1:18
BUT JESUS DID ONE BETTER THAN JACK…
Last year (2025) was the 50th Memorial Tournament on Jack’s course. His wife, Barbara (of 65 years) was the honoree. Over those 50 years there have been dozens of winners – including Tiger Woods who has won it 5 times, including three straight from 1999-2001.
But on our course, there has not only been only 1 Winner, but there has also only been one true Finisher:
looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Heb. 12.1-2
On Jack’s course, you earn the glory.
On Jesus’ course, He earned the glory.
On Jack’s course, competition rules. Almost everyone loses.
On Jesus’ course, grace reigns. Anyone who wants it, wins.
Jesus did one better than Jack, so we can do one better than just play.
We can win.
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