Jack to Air in Primetime Across Consecutive Nights, Sunday-Tuesday, April 9-11 at 9 p.m. ET Following Golf Central Live From the Masters
(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Count Presidents Donald Trump and George W. Bush among the list of those scheduled to appear in Golf Films’ Jack, a three-night television event capturing the comprehensive story of record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. The film, which premieres Sunday, April 9 at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel following the Masters, is presented with limited commercial interruption by Nationwide. Jack will feature a collection of nearly 100 interviews, including appearances from other sport “Greats of All-Time” such as Bill Belichick, Roger Federer, Wayne Gretzky, Richard Petty, Jerry Rice, Nolan Ryan, Annika Sorenstam and Kelly Slater.
“People like Jack, they have a desire to win. They never give up, they never quit.
He’s a man that’s led a truly exemplary life: his family, his work ethic, his
championship status. He’s a very exceptional man.” – President Donald Trump
Tom Selleck to Narrate Jack
Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Tom Selleck has signed on to voice Jack, after previously narrating Golf Films’ award-winning, three-part critically acclaimed Arnie in 2014 on Arnold Palmer. The product of hundreds of hours of archived film, Jack blends recollections from Nicklaus, as well as a comprehensive roster of fellow sports legends, along with sentiments from Nicklaus’ competitors, business partners, family and longtime friends. Also included are signature moments from a storied career to capture the essence of an individual who forged a permanent mark as the most accomplished golfer of all-time.
“Jack’s competitive intellect, combined with his innate flair for willing himself
near the top of countless Sunday leaderboards became a familiar trademark for
golf’s most revered champion. His 18 major titles are a record that may well
never be touched, which serves as a lasting testament to his legacy. It is an honor
to tell his story. - Tom Selleck
The three parts are segmented chronologically:
· Prodigy (Sunday, April 9 – 9 p.m. ET) – Beginning with Nicklaus’ childhood upbringing, highlighted by the Golden Bear’s relationship with his father (Charlie), meeting his wife (Barbara) in college at Ohio State, and his early successes as a professional golfer.
· Prime (Monday, April 10 – 9 p.m. ET) – The bulk of his on-course career accolades inside the ropes, including many of his record 18 professional major championships and 73 PGA TOUR victories.
· Pinnacle (Tuesday, April 11 – 9 p.m. ET) – Focusing on the latter half of Nicklaus’ playing career, including his 1978 Open and 1986 Masters victories, and detailing the priorities he placed on family, his business and philanthropic endeavors – including global golf course design – and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
“There are some great people in every sport, but then you have the ones that
stand out really at the top, and that’s Jim Brown, Michael Jordan, Muhammad
Ali and Jack Nicklaus.” – 5-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick
Jack utilizes accounts from Nicklaus gathered over 18 months during numerous sit-downs at his South Florida home, and showcases an unprecedented video collection of rarely seen broadcast footage from his record 18 major championship victories. The film also offers unique, first-hand accounts from individuals on the grounds at different vantage points during each respective major victory. A section of the Pinnacle Part III episode additionally will pose the question of who is the greatest golfer of all-time, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods, and feature insight from fellow Tour professionals and media, including consideration to whether Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors will ever be equaled, or broken.
“Greatness puts you above the best. Because when you accomplish the things
that Jack’s accomplished, it is like making a Hollywood script. You know some
people aren’t going to believe it.” – Legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty
The film will give viewers a sense of Nicklaus the competitor, offering insight from swing experts on the physical traits that poised him for sustained success, along with an examination from psychologists on his unyielding resolve to finish ahead of his contemporaries. Jack also will incorporate collectibles from the site of each of Nicklaus’ 18 major championship victories. Utilizing vintage items collected by Golf Channel to help tell the stories of the Golden Bear’s most identifiable achievements, items collected span from his first professional major title at age 22 in the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont through his final major at age 46 in the 1986 Masters, 24 years later.
As a longtime partner of Nicklaus – as well as the sponsor of his Memorial Tournament – Columbus-based insurance and financial services company Nationwide will serve as the presenting sponsor of Jack, which will allow for the three-part film to air with limited commercial interruption.
Jack is being produced by Golf Films, led by 13-time Emmy Award-winning coordinating producer Israel DeHerrera, who also served as the lead producer for the critically acclaimed, three-part Arnie film in 2014 on Arnold Palmer. Other award-winning projects produced by Golf Films include the Emmy-nominated Payne, on the late Payne Stewart; Arnie & Me, a follow-up, fourth installment of Arnie; ’86, a chronicle of Nicklaus’ final major championship win at the 1986 Masters that aired to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his iconic win; and Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta, on the two-time Masters champion, and his special relationship with the tournament.
