Nelson Book Author Pays Tribute To Lord Byron


September 27, 2006

By John Companiotte

Byron Nelson’s competitive career in golf lasted only about 15 years prior to his retirement at the age of 34 in 1946. But his contributions to the game extended for 60 years beyond that and will continue as his legacy endures. Nelson passed away on Sept. 26 at 94 at his ranch outside of Dallas.

Several of the records he set will probably never be broken, especially his 11 consecutive PGA Tour wins in 1945 and 18 wins overall that year. Ben Hogan, in 1948, and Tiger Woods, stretching from 1999 into 2000, both managed six in a row, but those streaks are the closest anyone has come to Lord Byron, a nicknamed he received after his 1937 Masters victory. Arnold Palmer called Nelson "one of the greatest players who ever lived. I don't think that anyone will ever exceed the things that Byron did by winning 11 tournaments in a row in one year."

At the age of 19, Nelson traveled from his home in Ft. Worth, Texas to Beverly Country Club in Chicago where he tried to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. It was the first time that he had putted on bent grass greens. Playing without a practice round, the slick greens proved a bit too challenging, as he failed to qualify by only one stroke. The next year, Nelson turned pro.

Whether he was on the course or off it, Byron Nelson was always a true gentleman and one of the game's best ambassadors. (USGA Photo Archives)

Eight years later, he won the U.S. Open at Philadelphia Country Club. He needed six rounds to complete the feat, ending the regulation four rounds tied with Denny Shute and Craig Wood. He entered the final round trailing third-round leader Johnny Bulla by five strokes on a course set up for a par of 69, the only time the championship has been held on that par configuration. Nelson’s 1-under 68 in the final round put him in the Monday playoff that ended with Shute at 76 and Wood and Nelson once again tied at 68. In the second 18-hole playoff round – sudden death had not yet been adopted – Nelson prevailed, shooting a 70 to Wood’s 73. A 200-yard shot for eagle at the par-4 fourth hole helped Nelson win, which is commemorated today by a plaque on the hole (now No. 17). Nelson’s other strong finish in a U.S. Open was in 1946 at Canterbury C.C. in Cleveland when he finished tied with Lloyd Mangrum and Vic Ghezzi, losing in the playoff won by Mangrum. Nelson retired later that year to devote his time to a ranch he purchased 20 miles northeast of Ft. Worth.

Years later, when the USGA developed a robotic swing device to test golf equipment and golf balls, it was named "Iron Byron" in appreciation of Nelson’s perfect swing mechanics. In 1991 the USGA’s Museum at Golf House honored Nelson’s career with a major exhibit of his trophies and memorabilia. The exhibit also displayed some of Nelson’s woodworking pieces such as small tables, as well as a spelling test book from the fifth grade. Nelson scored 100 on 37 tests in a row that year, another amazing streak for the gentleman from Texas.

From 1944-46, Nelson won an amazing 32 of 54 tournaments, including the 1945 PGA Championship. He ended his professional competitive career with a victory total of 52, which, until he was surpassed by Tiger Woods in the summer of 2006, had placed him fifth on the all-time win list, despite his abbreviated career. He won five majors: the Masters in 1937 and 1942, the U.S. Open in 1939, and the PGA Championship in 1940 and 1945. In 1937 and 1947 he played on the U.S. Ryder Cup team and in 1965 he served as the U.S. captain.

"He retired early," Woods said after Byron’s passing. "All he wanted to do was make enough money to buy his ranch. If he had kept playing like guys do now, more than likely, he would have won more tournaments than anyone."

Nelson’s presence in the game of golf will never be diminished, even if his records are ever surpassed. In 1968, he was the first player to have a PGA Tour event named for him. Nelson's involvement contributed to make his event the No. 1 fundraiser for charity on the PGA Tour. The tournament has provided more than $94 million since its inception, including $6.3 million this year. In the summer of 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to award Nelson a Congressional Gold Medal for philanthropy; the legislation, Congress’ highest award, is pending in the U.S. Senate.

Every April the golfers competing in the Masters walk over the Nelson Bridge beyond the 13th tee that crosses Rae’s Creek, honoring Nelson’s wins in 1937 and 1942. His other honors include being voted The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 1944 and 1945 and being elected to the PGA Hall of Fame in 1953 and to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He also won the USGA’s Bob Jones Award in 1974, the Association’s highest honor given annually to someone who distinguishes himself in the game through sportsmanship and dignity.

"We have lost a giant in the game . . . someone who elevated the game in every way: as a player, an ambassador and a gentleman," said Ben Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion and winner of Nelson's tournament in 1983. "Whoever came up with ‘Lord Byron,’ they got it exactly right."

John Companiotte serves on the USGA’s Communications Committee and has written a book entitled "Byron Nelson: The Most Remarkable Year in the History of Golf." Compionette resides in Atlanta.

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