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A
Lord and a Gentleman |
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By Jordan
Frye
2005 Communications Intern
Achieving
the best season scoring record ever recorded by a male golfer
with a 68.33 stroke average, Byron Nelson’s relatively
short career span created a lasting impact on the world of golf.
Nelson recorded 18 victories in 1945, including an astounding
11 consecutive victories that has yet to be equaled.
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Byron
Nelson |
Starting in 1942 and ending in 1946, Nelson, also known as “Lord
Byron” for his tough, yet pleasurable sportsmanlike conduct,
won 54 sanctioned tournaments and finished in the top 10 in
65 consecutive tournaments.
“You can always argue who was the greatest player,”
said Ken Venturi, former PGA TOUR star and CBS Sports analyst.
“But Byron is the finest gentleman the game has ever known.”
Born Feb. 4, 1912 just outside of Waxahachie, Texas, Nelson
became acquainted with soon-to-be fellow competitor Ben Hogan
while caddying at a golf club just outside of Fort Worth. Nelson
went on to defeat Hogan in the Glen Garden Country Club’s
caddie championship in 1927.
When Nelson began his professional career in 1932, the golf
industry was introduced to an action that would become the basis
for the modern golf swing and a model for many champions to
come.
Using the large muscles in his hips and legs, Nelson introduced
the game to a less wristy swing previously used with hickory
shaft golf clubs. The swing included a fuller shoulder turn
as well as flexed knees during the downswing.
Nelson’s innovative technique, combined with the launch
of the steel shaft, proved to be a more successful, consistent
and powerful way to hit a golf ball.
The USGA even named their golf ball and club testing mechanical
device “Iron Byron,” after Nelson’s “machine-like”
performances on the golf course.
In his 14-year career, Nelson won five majors, including the
Masters in 1937 and 1942, the U.S. Open in 1939 and the PGA
Championship in 1940 and 1945.
Nelson’s list of accomplishments include being named the
Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and the PGA TOUR leading
money winner in 1944 and 1945. He was also a member of two Ryder
Cup teams and captain of the 1965 team.
After retiring from full-time competition at the age of 34,
Nelson went on to win the 1951 Bing Crosby Pro-Am and the 1955
French Open. He continued to set milestones off the golf course,
becoming the first on-air television analyst.
Nelson spent many years as a sports commentator for ABC Sports
along side of Chris Schenkel and as an instructor for aspiring
young golfers, including Tom Watson. Raising more than $75 million,
Nelson continues to host the tournament he began, the EDS Byron
Nelson Championship, which donates the proceeds to charity.
Several players and fans of the game have admired Nelson’s
legendary accomplishments on the golf course. Nelson has been
coined the father of the modern golf swing and is considered
to still have the most unachievable record the golf industry
has ever witnessed.
Arnold Palmer, an avid fan of Nelson, said, “Byron Nelson
accomplished things on the pro tour that never have been and
never will be approached again.” |
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