The Golden Bear

My best friend Ernie called me today about a presentation he is doing this evening.  Ernie is speaking in front of Ameriprise Financial Advisors as I am writing this.  Ernie wanted a good opening story for his presentation.  I gave him the following story directly from my new book “QUICK WITTED”.

Jack Nicklaus is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. In his 25-year career, he accumulated a record 18 professional major wins and in addition, he won eight majors on the senior tour.

Several years ago, Jack was asked by the King of Saudi Arabia to come play golf. After declining many invitations, Jack finally said yes.

The King sent his private jet to the states to fly Jack over to Saudi Arabia, where he stayed with the King for a week. They spent each day playing 36 holes of golf. During the week Jack ate and lived, well, like a king.

At the end of the week, the King asked him, “Jack, you came and played golf with me. I greatly appreciate you taking the time.  Is there anything in the world that I can possibly do for you?”

As all of us would do, Jack declined. He said, “I couldn’t possibly. We played golf.  I ate and drank like a king. There is nothing I could possibly ask for.” The King persisted. Finally, Jack said, “You know what? I collect golf clubs. Buy me a golf club.” The King replied, “Great!”

On the way back to the states, Jack was again on the King’s private plane.  The King’s jet was gaudier than anything that Donald Trump could even imagine, decked out in gold and jewels.

Jack started to fantasize about the golf club that the King would send him. He thought it might be diamond-encrusted, jewel-encrusted or possibly solid gold.

Jack returned home, a few months passed, and he had forgotten about the golf club. But after three months, Jack received a certified letter in the mail from the King. He opened up the letter and inside was a deed for a 500-ACRE GOLF CLUB!

The moral of the story is that the King thinks bigger than Jack. Jack was thinking a golf club and the king was thinking GOLF CLUB!

THINK BIG!