In the summer of 1990, I was 17 years old and it was my last opportunity to play in the US Junior Amateur. I live in Cincinnati, but back then many juniors went up to Columbus to try to qualify. The reason? The qualifier was at Muirfield Village Golf Club. You got a practice round and two tournament rounds for $12.
That year, I started my second round on the 10th tee. It just so happened that Jack Nicklaus's son (Michael, I think) was playing in the group in front of me, and Jack was there to follow his son. On the 8th hole (my 17th hole), I hit my approach to the par 3 in the right greenside bunker. Did I mention it was about 100 degrees and very humid out? Anyway, by the time I get to the bunker to hit my second shot, Mr. Nicklaus was still right by the green, as his son's group had not yet teed off on #9. So as I entered the bunker, I noticed he was watching me.
Did I mention it was about 100 degrees and very humid out? I hit a pretty below-average bunker shot...I barely got it on the green. To show my lack of delight, I went to splash the sand with my clubhead. Well, because it was so hot and humid, my club flew out of my hand, went up in the air, and landed right on the green, all with Mr. Nicklaus watching. I was convinced someone was going to lead me away in handcuffs.
Thankfully, Mr. Nicklaus never said a word to me, even though he had to have been upset. I honestly had no intention of doing anything like that, but you know what they say about the law of unintended consequences. That was more than 20 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday.