Jack Nicklaus recalls wild ride in Las Vegas

Jack Nicklaus reveals his wildest night in Las Vegas in a new book.

No, it's nothing as racy as the tales of Tiger Woods or Prince Harry's nude billiards.

It began as an innocent offer from a local club pro who said he would give Nicklaus a lift to his hotel on the Strip.

It quickly turned into the ride from hell.

Nicklaus, who claimed six of his 73 tour wins in Las Vegas and holds the record of major tournament wins at 18, agreed to be interviewed this year for the book, "City of Champions: the History of Professional Golf in Las Vegas."

"I remember Bo Wininger," Nicklaus said in the interview.

"He was the pro at the Desert Inn at the time. I remember one night he took me back to the hotel in his Shelby Cobra. He had one of the original ones.

"We came back at about 110 to 115 mph through the streets of Las Vegas.

"I do remember that. And I said, 'Bo, slow down!' And he said, 'Oh, I'm just having some fun.'

"And I said again, 'Bo, slow down!'

"Fortunately Bo didn't kill us there, and he didn't kill himself in a car. I think that is as scared as I have ever been in an automobile."

The terrifying ride took place in the early to mid-1960s. Wininger, who played on the same Oklahoma high school baseball and football teams as Mickey Mantle, died a few years after scaring the bejeebers out of Nicklaus. He was 45 when he died in 1967 after suffering a stroke.

Local golf writers Jack Sheehan and Brian Hurlburt co-authored the book, which was published by Stephens Press. Full disclosure: Stephens Press is owned by Stephens Media LLC, owner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The book goes on sale this week at local book stories and at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

For more information: www.ProGolfLasVegasBook.com.

COUNTING DOWN

Well, the Big Week has finally arrived.

To the surprise of many, the bride-to-be, Cara Roberts, apparently plans to go ahead with it. We're getting hitched Saturday in Las Vegas, of course, and she's already put her foot down.

She's declared our wedding venue a no-tweet zone, with you-know-who in mind.

With luck I will be able to elude my minders long enough to break radio silence and make an official announcement and sneak a photo or two @Norm_Clarke.

Note to celebrities prone to behaving badly: This is your lucky week. After Monday's column, I'll be off the rest of the week, wrangling the future in-laws and outlaws.

I'll be on CBS' "The Talk" on Tuesday with co-hosts Sharon Osbourne, Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, et al. Tweeting, of course.

See you here next Sunday.

SIGHTINGS

"Pawn Stars" cast member Corey Harrison, serving as the celebrity keg tapper at the Hofbräuhaus on Friday. His entourage included father Rick Harrison. Their appearance created 1,000 reservations, second only to Siegfried & Roy. A member of the oompah band who scored a photo with Corey said "Pawn Stars" is one of the most popular shows in Austria. ... Charles Barkley, with friends at Hyde Bellagio on Friday. ... Paris Hilton, who partied at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan) with friends, last week issued an apology to the gay community after a recording surfaced in which she could be heard saying gay men are "disgusting" and "most of them probably have AIDS." Also at The Cosmopolitan: Adrian Grenier of "Entourage," in a cabana at the Boulevard pool for the Blink-182 concert. ... It was "Fight Night" at Picasso (Bellagio) on Friday. Among a large party for the opening of the Hublot Boutique: George Foreman, Tommy Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Roberto Duran and John Ruiz. Keeping them entertained was rapper Flavor Flav. ... Lewis and former NFL tight end Jeremy Shockey, at Tao Asian Bistro (The Venetian) on Friday. ... Christian Serratos of "Twilight," turning heads at the Hard Rock Hotel pool Saturday in her new blond look. She was belatedly celebrating her 22nd birthday, which was Sept. 21. ... Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, checking into the Paris Las Vegas on Friday. ... Lou Ferrigno of "Incredible Hulk" fame, signing autographs at the Mr. Olympia 2012 Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Here's how unprofessional the phony referees were. I saw one of those refs send a drink over to a cheerleader." - David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.