You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
Stories abound on the PGA Tour regarding seasoned players mentoring younger players when they arrive on the game’s biggest stage. For many of these young men, the PGA Tour can be an intimidating experience when they tee it up for the first time on what, until that moment, has been nothing more than a dream.
Many, if not most, of these young men already have plenty of experience in junior tournaments, college competitions, and USGA events. Still, showing up for their first season on golf’s grandest stage can be overwhelming, especially if their games begin to desert them.
More than a few articles have been written documenting Jack’s care and concern for the younger generation of standout players. A cursory glance into this issue will inform the reader that Jordan, Justin, Rory, Ricky, et al. have called upon Jack once or twice to give them wisdom on a variety of issues.
Everything from how to play Augusta to navigating and balancing the demands of family and tour life has motivated this current batch of greats to seek Mr. Nicklaus’ advice. Mr. Nicklaus characteristically downplays these moments, but no one else does.
And shame on us should we fail to mention Barbara Nicklaus’ 50-plus years of mentoring multiple generations of tour wives. When the final curtain is drawn back and all good deeds are revealed, Mrs. Nicklaus’s untiring efforts to model and mentor the next generation will surely not go unnoticed.
When Bill Rogers arrived on tour in the mid-seventies, there were undoubtedly all sorts of great characters from whom he could choose as his role model. And, no doubt, some of these “role models” could have easily led him on paths away from Christ. Perhaps, early on, some did.
Yet, amid the world’s best players, Providence chose to provide men like Wally Armstrong, Larry Nelson, Jim Hiskey, and many others to set an example of what living for Christ looks like. As it turns out, these accomplished players were all devoted to something infinitely more significant than the game of golf.
These men, though they dearly loved their families and though they loved this magnificent game for which the Lord had gifted them, they loved someone intensely more—in discovering the deep, deep love of Christ Jesus, they now had a love that far transcended their earthly passions.
In this way, these champions modeled and mentored the next generation of up-and-coming world-class players. In the providences of God, the Holy Spirit led Bill Rogers and others to come “under their wings” to grow in grace and faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul has a few essential things that the Holy Spirit had laid on his heart and about which he was eager to instruct Timothy. At the heart of his many instructions was Timothy’s need to find faithful men and entrust them with what Paul had taught—the gospel. These men were, in turn, to teach others.
That’s four generations of disciples—Paul to Timothy, Timothy to faithful men, and faithful men to the next generation. As you will remember, this is what the Lord instructed his newly-minted apostles to do just before he ascended back to heaven—“…make disciples of all the nations….” (Matthew 28:19, ESV).
If you are beginning the journey of faith, whether young or old, find someone who has walked with Jesus for a while and follow them as they follow Christ. Once you get the hang of it, find someone starting this great adventure and invest your life in them.
Prayer: Jesus, empower and embolden us to “make disciples.”