When you think of tournaments that feel unshakably secure on the PGA Tour calendar, the Memorial Tournament immediately comes to mind. Much of that stability comes from its legendary founder, Jack Nicklaus, who designed Muirfield Village himself. The course opened in 1974, and just two years later, it hosted the very first Memorial Tournament.

The Golden Bear didn’t just build the course—he conquered it. Nicklaus won the Memorial in 1977 and again in 1984. Only Tiger Woods and Kenny Perry have lifted the trophy more times than the man who designed the layout. Today, Muirfield Village is one of the most beloved stops on tour, with players raving about the facilities and the care that goes into every detail.

But here’s the part that might surprise you: Jack Nicklaus has never made a single dollar from Muirfield Village. Yes, you read that right. The 18-time major champion—who was also one of golf’s earliest business pioneers—made a deliberate choice to walk away from any financial gain tied to the course.

In a recent interview on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Nicklaus revealed the "crazy" reason behind his decision. "Muirfield was probably the best thing, and I structured Muirfield so I couldn’t make any money," he explained. "I was playing professional golf, and I wanted to bring all my guys into play. I didn’t want my fellow professionals to come in and say, ‘Jack’s in here making money off of us.’ So I structured it so I couldn’t make any money."

Nicklaus went on to share just how good that decision has made him feel over the years. "I’ve never made any money from Muirfield, and I feel good about that. I could bring Arnold in, or I could bring Gary, I could bring Watson or Trevino, or whoever I brought in, and I’d feel very good about saying, ‘guys, I don’t profit from this, this is all about the children’s hospital here in town, and about the Memorial Tournament and bringing golf back to Columbus. Not about me.’"

It’s a remarkable stance from a man who has designed over 400 courses worldwide through his company. Even earlier in his career, Nicklaus was consulted by Pete Dye for the design of Harbour Town in the late 1960s—a venue that remains a fan favorite to this day. But at Muirfield Village, the Golden Bear chose legacy over ledger, and that’s something every golfer—and every fan—can admire.