Golf and angling legend Jack Nicklaus (right) with noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris (left)
Legendary golf icon Jack Nicklaus will serve as the Honorary Chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 28, a celebration of the rich tradition of hunting and fishing, and recognition of the conservation efforts of sportsmen and women everywhere.
Nicklaus won 120 professional tournaments worldwide during his illustrious career, including a record 18 major championships. In his late 20s, and still early in the building of his legendary championship legacy, Nicklaus also pursued a parallel career path in golf course design, and became one of golf history’s most acclaimed course designers. He has created close to 320 award-winning courses around the world, many of which have hosted countless PGA TOUR events. Now, 55 years after opening his first design, Nicklaus is still passionate and very active in creating remarkable courses through his 1-JN Design business.
One of his designs is Top of the Rock, the spectacular par-3 course at Big Cedar Lodge, which became the anchor to the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf event on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Gary Nicklaus, one of Jack’s five children, has twice been appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve as a Commissioner on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He has served the Commission and state since 2017, and is also a highly skilled angler and noted conservation supporter.
Widely regarded as golf’s greatest champion, as well as a devoted sportsman and advocate for conservation and our outdoor heritage, Nicklaus has been named Honorary Chairman for 2024. Past honorary chairs for NHF Day have included President George H.W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter, Hank Williams Jr., Arnold Palmer, Bill Dance, Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, and social media superstars Dude Perfect.
Nicklaus played the starring role in one of the most storied fishing tales of all time, when on Nov. 11, 1978, he landed a 1,358-pound monster Black Marlin off the coast of Australia. At 15-feet-6 inches, and a girth of 7 feet, it was the largest Black Marlin by measurement at that time.
This was a true sportsman’s dream and a major accomplishment, and he earned every bit of the catch, hooking up at about 5 p.m. and battling it for more than six hours before bringing it up about 11:20 p.m., in the dark of night.
Today, a replica of this fish can be seen at Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve.
Jack was in Australia to compete in the Australian Open and caught the Black Marlin just days before the tournament started. He was so sore from battling the Black Marlin that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to play in the tournament. Not only did he play, but he won the event by six shots for his sixth Australian Open title.
About National Hunting and Fishing Day
This annual event recognizes hunters and anglers for their decades-long leadership in funding wildlife and conservation efforts through self-imposed excise taxes and license fees. Since 1939, programs have collectively raised $65.1 billion for habitat restoration and public lands access so all Americans can enjoy our abundance of wildlife and wild places.
The official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day is Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield. Created by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris as a not-for-profit gift to sportsmen and women everywhere, the 350,000-square-foot experience celebrates those who hunt, fish and act as stewards of the land and water. Voted “America’s Best Aquarium” an unprecedented six times by USA Today readers, this attraction welcomes millions of visitors each year and educates them about the critical role that hunters and anglers play in conservation.
“We are very excited to host the celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day at Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield,” Johnny Morris said. “This is a special day to recognize sportsmen and women and showcase their dedication to conservation. Without these great conservationists, many of these special outdoor places we are blessed to enjoy would no longer be around. We salute them and give them a heartfelt thank you for their tireless work, today and every day. We are deeply grateful to our good friend Jack Nicklaus for agreeing to serve.”
Wonders of Wildlife is inviting sportsmen and women everywhere to get outdoors this weekend and share stories about why hunting and fishing matters to them, using the hashtag #NHFDay.
Carrying the message to millions with Jack Nicklaus
This celebration will feature voices from across the outdoor industry, including leading retailers, conservation organizations, and some of the biggest names in hunting and fishing, including Jack Nicklaus.
Nicklaus will add his name to the impressive lineup of past Honorary Chairs by using his platform and worldwide level of respect to promote NHF Day’s mission of inspiring the next generation to get outdoors and take up hunting, fishing and shooting sports.
“It’s an honor to serve as the Honorary Chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day, and to support hunters and anglers across America – our true conservation heroes,” Nicklaus said. “I have been an avid sportsman since I was a young boy, and my entire family has adopted my love, respect and appreciation for the great outdoors and efforts to conserve what God has provided us. It is more important now than ever to ensure our wildlife and wild places are around for future generations to enjoy.”
Sportsmen and women can show continued support by visiting nhfday.org and taking the pledge to introduce someone new to hunting, fishing or target shooting in 2024.
Official partners for the 53rd annual National Hunting and Fishing Day include Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Izaak Walton League of America and National Archery in the Schools Program. For information on becoming an official partner, visit nhfday.org.
