Before meeting Nicklaus, McGimpsey had played the course twice, seeing the holes before the turn for the first time in an era when only the back nine was televised.
Some local knowledge had clearly been gained with McGimpsey and another amateur beating Nicklaus and his playing partner.
“Jack said we’d play a $2 Nassau,” McGimpsey said. “I didn’t know what it was, but it didn’t seem too expensive.
“We played away and it wasn’t a question of ‘oh, you’re down one or two’, we just played.
“Coming off the 18th green, my brother said to me: ‘you didn’t get paid’.
“I looked at him and said, ‘don’t be stupid, I just played at Augusta with the greatest golfer of all time, I’m sure it’s more important to think about him’ and we we have left.”
Nicklaus’ week would end much better than it started. His Sunday run on the course, culminating in his 18th and final major at the age of 46, is one of the most famous rounds in golf history.
Much to McGimpsey’s surprise, “The Golden Bear” did not forget his bet afterward.
“A week later I received a letter from Jack Nicklaus with a check for $4.
“It is a check from a joint account and in the notes it says ‘being beaten at Augusta National’. The letter said ‘I hope this does not reflect on your amateur status ‘.
“It tells you everything about this man, that he took the time to do this after winning the Masters. Pure class.
“He was my hero before, but even more since. He always will be.”