By Hunter of Taylor H.R. No. 599
74R10159 WMS-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The sport of golf has seen no greater achievement
1-2 than the 11 consecutive tournament victories won by the legendary
1-3 Byron Nelson, and 1995 marks the golden anniversary of that
1-4 phenomenal athletic accomplishment; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Byron Nelson was born February 4,
1-6 1912, in Fort Worth, and as a young man was a caddie at Glen Garden
1-7 Country Club where he learned much about the game he would
1-8 ultimately come to dominate; and
1-9 WHEREAS, He joined the professional golf circuit in 1932 and
1-10 won his first major event five years later when he captured the
1-11 1937 Masters title; during his historic career he claimed four
1-12 other major titles: the 1939 U.S. Open, the 1940 and 1945 PGA
1-13 championships, and the 1942 Masters; and
1-14 WHEREAS, On March 11, 1945, he took home the trophy as
1-15 champion of the Miami Four Ball tournament, beginning a series of
1-16 11 consecutive tournament victories that would conclude with his
1-17 August 4, 1945, triumph at the Canadian Open; the passage of time
1-18 has not diminished this herculean feat, but rather has enhanced it,
1-19 as no other player has seriously challenged Mr. Nelson's streak in
1-20 the succeeding half-century; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson set many other records during his superb
1-22 1945 season, including most victories in one year, 18; most
1-23 consecutive rounds under 70, 19; and lowest scoring average in one
1-24 year, 68.33; and
2-1 WHEREAS, He retired in 1946 to tend his ranch in Roanoke
2-2 after another highly successful season that included five
2-3 tournament victories, but came back to play for his country in the
2-4 Ryder Cup the following year, making his fourth and final
2-5 appearance in that prestigious event, although he later returned to
2-6 captain the American team in 1965; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Among the many well-deserved accolades given this
2-8 sporting giant are induction into the PGA Hall of Fame, the Texas
2-9 Sports Hall of Fame, and the World Golf Hall of Fame; Mr. Nelson
2-10 was chosen Athlete of the Year in 1944 and 1945, and is the only
2-11 PGA player to have a tournament, the Byron Nelson Golf Classic,
2-12 named in his honor; and
2-13 WHEREAS, "Lord Byron" is revered by other legendary golfers;
2-14 Tom Watson has said he regards him as a "friend, teacher, and
2-15 father," while Ben Crenshaw refers to him as "truly one of those
2-16 special people . . . the kindest, gentlest man, one who always
2-17 gives"; and
2-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson took as his bride the former Louise
2-19 Shofner on June 24, 1934, and they enjoyed more than 50 years of
2-20 mutual affection and devotion before her passing in 1985; he has
2-21 been blessed to find happiness again with his current wife, Peggy,
2-22 whom he wed in 1986; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Few athletes leave a high water mark on their sport
2-24 that is considered by all experts to be beyond duplication, yet
2-25 with his 11 consecutive tournament victories, Byron Nelson has
2-26 attained such a singular distinction and, in combination with his
2-27 many other remarkable golfing feats, he has created a sporting
3-1 legacy truly worthy of special legislative recognition; now,
3-2 therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-4 Legislature hereby honor Byron Nelson for his amazing athletic
3-5 accomplishments in the sport of golf on the momentous occasion of
3-6 the 50th anniversary of his 11-tournament winning streak; and, be
3-7 it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for Mr. Nelson as an expression of highest regard by the
3-10 Texas House of Representatives.