Near Athens in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Dow Finsterwald Day
September 25, 1958
The better-ball match paired Palmer and Nicklaus vs. Finsterwald and Saunders. Palmer shot a 62 individually, which bettered the course record of 63 held by Finsterwald. Nicklaus fired a 68, tying Finsterwald. while Saunders carded a 71. Palmer and Nicklaus captured team honors. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus went on to battle each other as competitors on golf courses around the world, in their golf businesses, and golf course design. Their intense rivalry and enduring friendship spanned their careers. It all began when Arnie and Jack first teed it up together on this golf course in September 1958.
Erected 2009 by The Athens Foundation Ad Hoc Dow Finsterwald Marker Committee and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 8-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1958.
Location. 39° 18.728′ N, 82° 9.662′ W. Marker is near Athens, Ohio, in Athens County. Marker is on Country Club Road (Local Road 559) south of State Route 56, on the left when traveling south. It is at the end of the road to the left of the clubhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7606 Country Club Rd, Athens OH 45701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Margaret Snowden (approx. 2.2 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Milton M. Holland (approx. 2.8 miles away); Japanese Cherry Trees (approx. 3 miles away); Ohio's Cherry Trees (approx. 3 miles away); Normandy Park (approx. 3 miles away); Donald R. Johnson Memorial Channel (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Ordinance of 1787 (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Also see . . . The Golden Bear meets the King. 2016 article by Stephen J. Nesbitt in the Pitsburg Post-Gazette. “The boy Jack Nicklaus met “The King” Arnold Palmer Sept. 25, 1958, at Athens Country Club in southeast Ohio. They were paired together for an exhibition round on “Dow Finsterwald Day,” celebrating the reigning winner of the PGA Championship. Their ferocious yet friendly rivalry began with a driving contest on the first hole. Nicklaus, the 18-year-old Ohioan amateur, prevailed. Palmer, the 1958 Masters champion, shot a 63 and defeated Nicklaus by four strokes. Palmer grinned and told Nicklaus, ‘I got ya.’ But both scored a victory they would remember” (Submitted on August 26, 2018.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 757 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 26, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.