Question of the Week

Nate, San Marcos, TX
Subj: Fore! God and country
It seems like every American president from the past 50 years has been a golfer. Who is the best of the bunch?

That honor belongs to John F. Kennedy, an exceptional all-around athlete who possessed a seven handicap during his prime. Kennedy’s real strength was his long, smooth swing which was nearly as beautiful as some of the women he snuck into the White House. Although Kennedy may have been the Oval Office’s best golfer, the most passionate duffer was probably Gerald Ford. The nation’s 38th president was the first person to join the United States Golf Association (USGA) members program and he routinely worked on refining his game with pros like Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Dave Stockton. Of course, just because he was passionate doesn’t mean he was any good. Ford was famous for accidentally hitting spectators with wayward shots and he once capped off a memorable appearance at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic by telling the media, "I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit an eagle, a birdie, an elk and a moose."

Question of the Week

Tim, Fairless Hills, PA
Subj: On the money
Is it true that Jack Nicklaus’ is legal tender in Europe?

That’s correct Tim. As popular as The Golden Bear is in America, he’s equally beloved in Scotland, where he won the British Open at St. Andrews Links in 1970 and 1978. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group honored his extraordinary legacy on July 12, 2005 with the release of a commemorative £5 note featuring Nicklaus cradling a championship trophy. Apart from Her Majesty the Queen and the late Queen Mother, Nicklaus is the only living person ever to have appeared on a Scottish note.

Question of the Week

Charles, San Antonio, TX
Subj: Getting a jump on the competition
Hey Ryan, everyone knows that Tiger Woods was a golf prodigy, but what about Jack Nicklaus? Did The Golden Bear show flashes of greatness at a young age as well?

Absolutely, Charles. Nicklaus’s future dominance became evident in 1950 when he accompanied his father, Charlie, to the Scioto Country Club for his first round of golf. Although he was only 10-years-old at the time, Nicklaus shot a very respectable 51 for his first nine holes. Two years later he won the first of his six Ohio State Junior titles en route to becoming the most celebrated young golfer in the state.

Ask Ryan, P.I.

Welcome back for another edition of Ask Ryan, the column where sports and entertainment go together like mistletoe and harassment charges. This week's mailbag is bursting at the seams with queries about the NFL's oldest player, Tom Selleck's brief basketball career and the origins of the Goodyear Blimp. Read all about it at: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7606980

Ask Ryan - Fun For The Whole Family

Hi Gang,
Welcome back for another edition of Ask Ryan, the column where sports and entertainment converge like a subpoena on Michael's Vick's doorstep. This week's mailbag is bursting at the seams with queries about baseball's most notorious nomad, Disneyland's legendary basketball court and David Beckham's alleged I.Q. Read all about it at: http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/7105592