"Jack and I hope you enjoy this book. Friends are among life's most precious possessions. Pandel was and is a friend and mentor to so many, including our entire family. This book is certainly a tribute to Pandel as he shows us that anything is possible. We are so proud and happy to say that we have truly enjoyed sharing Pandel's wonderful run at life with him."   Barbara Nicklaus

On a cold winter morning in 1935, a nine-year-old boy huddled next to his uncle on a horse-driven wagon heading for the train station in Bitola, Macedonia. His destination was America and he’d be making the train and ocean liner trip all by himself. His father had sent for him, finally. His mother was dead. The boy’s name was Pandel Savic and this is his story.

He struggled to find his way as he grew up during the Great Depression in northeast Ohio. He fought for his adopted country as a Marine in the horrific battles of the South Pacific in World War II. He quarterbacked Ohio State to its first Rose Bowl victory in 1950. He married the woman of his dreams, started a family, and became one of Jack Nicklaus’ very best friends, learning the game of golf and growing into a champion in his own right. He took perhaps more golf lessons than any man who  ever lived, many from the greatest players and teachers the game has ever known.

With his own personal brand of hard work and ethics, Savic built a small industrial supply business into the largest of its kind in the nation. As Chairman of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, from its inception, Savic helped the event become one of the finest on the PGA Tour. Along the way, he developed close friendships with presidents of the United States, movie stars, sports figures, and an amazing gallery of unforgettable characters.

Most of all, through both tragedy and triumph, Pandel Savic pursued the American Dream. These are his stories, drawn from his unique and colorful memory. They are an important reflection of the country he loves and our universal hope for a better life.

Excerpts from Selected Chapters

The Islands

The convoy of troop carriers sliced through the placid seas like knifes through soft butter. We were on the water for about two weeks. We slept on the deck because it was so hot. I learned new card games and smoked cigarette after cigarette with the rest of the guys.

Never Had A Lesson I Didn't Like

Some of my golf buddies have told me I’ve taken more golf lessons than anyone who ever lived. They may be right. Looking back, I see hundreds of professionals standing next to me on practice tees. I watch a million balls arcing out over ranges, piles of balls at my feet.

The Steam Room

Very early one summer morning, I drove my cart over to the club. When I walked into the locker room, I turned towards the stairs heading up to the workout area and climbed up. After hanging my clothes in my locker, I wrapped a towel around my waist and strolled to the steam room. Someone was inside, the door completely fogged. A loud hissing sound filled the tiled outer room. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

The Memorial Tournament Gets A Chairman

One of the great surprises in my life was when Jack asked me to be the Chairman of the Memorial Tournament. We were playing the first round ever at Muirfield Village Golf Club. There were just the four us: Jack, Ivor, Hoagie, and me. Jack called us The Founders. We’d all done our parts to help establish the course and get the tournament scheduled on the PGA Tour. Our inaugural event was only a year away.

A Championship Season

I can tell you one thing. We had the best sophomore class in the nation in the fall of 1949. We had an incredible player in Vic Janowicz who’d win the Heisman Trophy the next year. Ray Hamilton was quick like a rabbit. Four or five other new players made us finally a fast team. We were maybe one of the fastest in the country.

Mr. President

Mr. President, welcome to the tournament.” George H. W. Bush stood at my doorway with three guys in black suits standing behind him. “I’m so pleased to be here, Pandel. I have heard a lot about you from Mr. Nicklaus. I appreciate the bed,” he said as he stepped inside. Two of his Secret Service escorts began checking out the house before I offered a real tour.