text: where did jack nicklaus get his nickname "the golden bear?"? also, did i put the question mark in the right place? jack nicklaus went to upper arlington high school just outside of columbus, ohio. the upper arlington athletic teams are known as "the golden bears." when jack went to college at ohio state, the "golden bear" knickname stuck with him as a carryover from what his high school mascott was. it's got nothing to do with his build or hair.