Not only by the name of the Golden Bear, but the 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus is a “Panther” as well. Two weeks ago, the former pro was at Muirfield Village Golf Club hosting his Memorial Tournament for the PGA Tour. After that, yesterday on 18th June, he was in Sunrise, Florida attending the Stanley Cup final of the National Hockey League (NHL).

The Florida Panthers were matched against the Edmonton Oilers for the finals, and Nicklaus was there to support the Panthers. His importance at the finals went beyond attendance. The pro also had the honor of banging the drum to energize the crowd before the potentially series-clinching game.

The Golden Bear wore a Panthers’ sweater with the No. 18, possibly alluding to his major titles. Nicklaus played a role in energizing the crowd before the puck dropped in Game 5. In front of a large crowd, the commenter hailed him as a legend and invited him to bang the drum. As he began, the stadium echoed with chants of “Let’s go Panthers,” synchronized with the drumbeats. Later, the PGA Tour posted the video on X, showcasing him waving to the crowd and banging the drum. Soon after, various reactions to Nicklaus flooded the comment section.

Observing this moment, one fan boldly remarked, “Jack is a Panther, knew it,“ bestowing the title of Panther upon the Golden Bear. Another fan expressed admiration for Nicklaus’s support and demeanor towards the crowd, stating, “Jack is so cool.“ Furthermore, many others appreciated his appearance, commenting, “Awesome spectator.” 

Showing admiration for the golfer, one fan commented, “Love him and all he’s done…but…whose idea was this?“ They questioned the decision to invite the 18-time major champion to support the Panthers. Another fan echoed the enthusiasm, adding, “Holy crap!!! Wow!!!“ Beyond this video, Jack Nicklaus’s support for the Panthers extends to having a private with a similar name.

What is Panther National by Jack Nicklaus?

In November 2023, Nicklaus collaborated with Justin Thomas to design Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The course, an 18-hole championship layout, occupies 400 acres in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is nestled within a vast conservation area and incorporates various sustainable initiatives, including infrastructure and amenities powered by Tesla energy.

The course features double fairways, deep bunkers, and extensive sandy waste areas, all set against what the club describes as unusually significant elevation changes for a South Florida course. At the time of its opening, pros such as Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Morgan Hoffmann, Erik van Rooyen, and Lexi Thompson joined Thomas in teeing off for the course debut. Do you believe the course name is influenced by the Florida Panthers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!