Posted on 09/26/2006 12:57:49 PM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
Golf legend and Roanoke resident Byron Nelson, a man revered for his benevolence and humility as much as his on-course accomplishment, died Tuesday at the age of 94...
... Even his swing was the stuff of legend. As wood-shafted golf clubs were being converted to steel, he was the first notable player to incorporate his feet and legs for extra power. He is widely credited as being the father of the modern swing, to the extent that the U.S. Golf Association's club-testing apparatus is called the "Iron Byron."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Mr. Nelson was a gentleman and a wonderful golfer.
I'll bet St. Peter will ask him for a few tips!
RIP.
So sad. I loved seeing him sitting in the shade at the big tournaments.
What a huge loss to the game.
A true gentleman in every sense of the word.
My heart goes out to his family.
We have lost a giant in the world of U.S. golf.
It's going to be a sad and lonely evening at the Colonial clubhouse tonight. Farewell to one of the true greats of the game.
Mr. Nelson probably has the inside track with St. Peter.
He was a long-time member of the Richland Hills Church of Christ in the DFW area.
(and former trustee at Abilene Christian University)
Byron Nelson was a real class act.
They don't come any better than Byron Nelson. I never heard a negative word about him, and he seemed to be universally admired by the greatest golfers from Arnie to Tiger. RIP to a true gentleman athlete. The great trio from 1912 are all gone now -- Hogan, Snead and Nelson.
A great ambassador for a great game.
This is a great loss to all of sports. What a gentleman. He just wanted to earn enough money to get married and buy his farm. Great story...great American.
What an excellent picture. What a great icon for golf! Farwell to you sir.
Great man and Christian.
Nobody will ever win 11 tournaments in a row again as Nelson did, not even Tiger.
Godspeed to a true American hero. On and off the course he was a class act.
Rest in peace.
A great golfer and a true gentleman.
Texas has lost another gem!
I worked at Cleveland Golf about 10 years ago, and Mr. Nelson came in a few times because he was on the professional staff for the company. He was a truly gracious and kind man. He sat and spoke with many of the employees for much longer than anyone would have expected him.
The cup has officially been passed to Palmer and Nicklaus.
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