Jack Nicklaus to receive Congressional Gold Medal
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Jack Nicklaus to receive Congressional Gold Medal

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Congress actually did something on Tuesday. Specifically, the U.S. Senate put Jack Nicklaus in position to earn the highest civilian honor it can bestow on someone.

The Senate passed a measure, first brought forth in 2012 by Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown from Nicklaus' home state of Ohio, previously passed by the House back in May (May!) by a 371-10 vote to award Nicklaus the Congressional Gold Medal. That measure, curiously enough, heads to President Barack Obama for his sign-off on the measure.

The 74-year-old Nicklaus would join Arnold Palmer as the only golfers to receive the Gold Medal, honoring Americans "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement." We'd say 18 majors and 73 PGA Tour wins would qualify.

Back in 2005, Nicklaus received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the executive branch's equivalent to the Gold Medal.

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

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