Mr. Nelson used to say that what he accomplished after he finished playing competitive golf was far more important than what he accomplished playing competitive golf. He was so proud to have lent his name to our tournament and help it raise funds for charity. Since 1968 this Dallas area PGA TOUR event has been named for Mr. Nelson. Since that very first Byron Nelson Classic in 1968 the Salesmanship Club of Dallas has raised over $132 million for Salesmanship Club Youth & Family Centers.
Many of today’s PGA TOUR players give back in many, many ways. In 2006 Ted Purdy returned to Dallas to speak to the Salesmanship Club’s weekly Thursday luncheon. At that event Ted wrote a check to our charity for $11,000, which was 1% of what he was paid for winning the 2005 Byron Nelson Championship. That is truly giving back!
Many of the players even have their own foundations through which they raise significant dollars for charity. Here is a list of a few:
- Keegan Bradley Charity Golf Classic => Benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the Vermont Cancer Center / Vermont Children’s Hospital.
- Jason Dufner Charitable Foundation => Working with Blessings in a Backpack Jason, and his wife Amanda, are helping feed 63,000 school children in 583 schools in 45 states. Their foundation is based upon Jason and Amanda’s premise that those that are fortunate should step forward to assist those who are less fortunate in times of distress.
- Adam Scott Foundation => Initiated in 2005 this charity provides life opportunities to Australian children & youth.
- Tiger Woods Foundation => Established in 1996 by Tiger Woods and his dad, Earl. This foundation has touched millions of children via Tiger Woods Learning Centers in the 17 years of its existence. Through the Earl Woods Scholarship Program they offer scholarship recipients an opportunity to be the first in their family to attend college.
- Phil & Amy Mickelson Foundation => This foundation, working in conjunction with Start Smart and the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, supports a number of youth and family initiatives.
- Scott & Kim Verplank Foundation => This foundation has a goal of offering children with Type 1 Diabetes the financial help they need to pursue a college education. Scott Verplank was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 9 when he lapsed into a diabetic coma.
- Charley Hoffman Foundation => Raised $ 1 million since 2009 for San Diego and Las Vegas area charities. Specifically Charley’s foundation supports San Diego junior golf.
- Henry House Foundation => Established in 2006 by J. J. Henry this foundation helps children through projects that physically and emotionally benefit the communities they love. The people of Southern New England and North Central Texas benefit from this charity.
- Chad & Amy Campbell Project => Established in 2010 this charity helps at-risk kids in Tarrant County, Texas. Working in conjunction with the U-Turn Program they provide juvenile offenders and their families with a comprehensive program to help turn their lives around.
Additionally most of the players donate their time and make appearances at a number of charitable events raising funds for any number of causes ranging from Cancer Research & Juvenile Diabetes to Christian missions & Wounded Warriors.
Byron would be proud.
Tim Gamso
Member
Salesmanship Club of Dallas
