This fall marks 10 years since the passing of our namesake, Byron Nelson. Let’s look back at his golf career.
Mr. Nelson learned the game as a caddie at Glen Garden Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Another kid in that caddie yard was Ben Hogan.
In a career that spanned nearly 17 years, Mr. Nelson won 52 professional titles, including five major championships.
Here are some of his career highlights
- -Qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 1931 at Beverly Country Club in Chicago, Illinois. He missed the cut.
- -Turned professional in 1932.
- -Played in his only British Open in 1937, finishing tied for 5th. His check was $187.
- -Won eight PGA TOUR events in 1944.
- -Won 18 of 35 PGA TOUR events in 1945 and finished second seven times.
- -In 1945, Mr. Nelson never finished outside the Top 10.
- -Won 11 tournaments in a row in 1945.
- -Set a scoring record of 68.33 in 1945 — a record that held until 2000.
- -Named Top Male Athlete by the Associated Press in 1944 and 1945.
- -Won six PGA TOUR events in 1946 before abruptly retiring from competitive play.
- -Finished in the Top 20 in 113 consecutive PGA TOUR events.
- -Selected for the Ryder Cup four times: 1937, 1939, 1947 and 1965 (non-playing captain)
- -Had total career winnings of $182,000.
- -Selected for the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
- -Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.
