FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANCHESTER, VT (October 13, 2026) The American Museum of Fly Fishing is proud to announce that Jack Nicklaus, global golf icon, avid angler, passionate conservationist, and dedicated philanthropist, will receive the Museum’s 2027 Heritage Award. The award will be presented on March 9, 2027, at a private club in North Palm Beach, Florida.
Nicklaus, known worldwide as “The Golden Bear,” has been an angler since childhood and fly fishermen since his college days at Ohio State University. He has long credited fly fishing with providing sporting challenges, opportunities to spend meaningful time with multiple generations of his beloved family and friends, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. He was first introduced to the sport by his Ohio State golf coach, Bob Kepler and since then he has travelled the globe as a fly fisher, with bonefish among his favorite species.
Nicklaus has also been a long-time advocate for conservation and the outdoors. He has served for decades on the board of The Everglades Foundation, and previously served on the board and as a spokesperson for the Federation of Fly Fishers (now Fly Fishers International). He is also a former Honorary Chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day. To further recognize and reinforce his excellence in not only golf, but his lifelong demonstration of sportsmanship and integrity, and his extensive philanthropic contributions, Nicklaus is the first athlete and just the fourth person in history to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2005, the Congressional Gold Medal (2015), and the Lincoln Medal (2018).
As a pioneering and devoted advocate for environmental sustainability in golf course architecture and with a course-design company that has created more than 450 layouts in 47 countries and 40 states, Nicklaus has worked with conservation organizations, including the Audubon Society, to promote wildlife protection and habitat conservation. Many Nicklaus-designed courses have earned certified sanctuary status for their efforts to protect local wildlife and preserve natural habitats.
Jack and his wife, Barbara, also an accomplished angler, founded the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004. Since its founding, the organization has raised close to $260 million to help children and families around the world gain access to cutting-edge pediatric healthcare.
“The AMFF is thrilled to have the opportunity to present the 2027 Heritage Award to Jack Nicklaus,” said AMFF President Gardner L Grant Jr. “For so many years, Jack has been an exceptional leader in sport, conservation and philanthropy, and an inspiring example of the power of fly fishing to knit together families and friends, and to inspire the angling community to work for the preservation of the resources upon which our sport depends.”
Established in 1997, the Heritage Award honors individuals and organizations whose commitment to the sport of fly fishing and the conservation of natural resources sets a standard to which we can all aspire. Past recipients include Charles Gaines, Oliver White, the Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation, Andy Mill, Johnny Morris, Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, Tom McGuane, Ted Turner, Tom Brokaw, Robert Rubin, Paul Volcker, Joan Wulff, and Yvon Chouinard.
Ticket sales will open soon. For sponsorship information or to be added to the event mailing list for updates, please email amff@amff.org.
Media Contact: Sarah Foster, Executive Director American Museum of Fly Fishing, amff@amff.org
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