S.R. No. 732
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The sport of golf has seen no greater achievement
1-3 than the 11 consecutive tournament victories won by the legendary
1-4 Byron Nelson, and 1995 marks the golden anniversary of that
1-5 phenomenal athletic accomplishment; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Byron Nelson was born in
1-7 Fort Worth on February 4, 1912, and as a young man was a caddie
1-8 at Glen Garden Country Club where he learned much about the game
1-9 he would ultimately come to dominate; and
1-10 WHEREAS, He joined the professional golf circuit in 1932
1-11 and won his first major event five years later when he captured
1-12 the 1937 Masters title; during his historic career he claimed four
1-13 other major titles: the 1939 U.S. Open, the 1940 and 1945 PGA
1-14 championships, and the 1942 Masters; and
1-15 WHEREAS, On March 11, 1945, he took home the trophy as
1-16 champion of the Miami Four Ball tournament, beginning a series of
1-17 11 consecutive tournament victories that would conclude with his
1-18 August 4, 1945, triumph at the Canadian Open; the passage of time
1-19 has not diminished this herculean feat, but rather has enhanced it,
1-20 as no other player has seriously challenged Mr. Nelson's streak in
1-21 the succeeding half-century; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson set many other records during his
1-23 superb 1945 season, including most victories in one year, 18; most
2-1 consecutive rounds under 70, 19; and lowest scoring average in one
2-2 year, 68.33; and
2-3 WHEREAS, He retired in 1946 to tend his ranch in Roanoke
2-4 after another highly successful season that included five
2-5 tournament victories, but came back to play for his country in
2-6 the Ryder Cup the following year, making his fourth and final
2-7 appearance in that prestigious event, although he later returned
2-8 to captain the American team in 1965; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Among the many well-deserved accolades given this
2-10 sporting giant are induction into the PGA Hall of Fame, the Texas
2-11 Sports Hall of Fame, and the World Golf Hall of Fame; Mr. Nelson
2-12 was chosen Athlete of the Year in 1944 and 1945 and is the only
2-13 PGA player to have a tournament, the Byron Nelson Golf Classic,
2-14 named in his honor; and
2-15 WHEREAS, "Lord Byron" is revered by other legendary golfers;
2-16 Tom Watson has said he regards him as a "friend, teacher, and
2-17 father," while Ben Crenshaw refers to him as "truly one of those
2-18 special people . . . the kindest, gentlest man, one who always
2-19 gives"; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Mr. Nelson took as his bride the former
2-21 Louise Shofner on June 24, 1934, and they enjoyed more than 50
2-22 years of mutual affection and devotion before her passing in 1985;
2-23 he has been blessed to find happiness again with his current wife,
2-24 Peggy, whom he wed in 1986; and
2-25 WHEREAS, Few athletes leave a high-water mark on their sport
3-1 that is considered by all experts to be beyond duplication, yet
3-2 with his 11 consecutive tournament victories, Byron Nelson has
3-3 attained such a singular distinction and, in combination with his
3-4 many other remarkable golfing feats, he has created a sporting
3-5 legacy truly worthy of special legislative recognition; now,
3-6 therefore, be it
3-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-8 74th Legislature, hereby honor Byron Nelson for his amazing
3-9 athletic accomplishments in the sport of golf on the momentous
3-10 occasion of the 50th anniversary of his 11-tournament winning
3-11 streak; and, be it further
3-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
3-13 prepared for Mr. Nelson as an expression of highest regard from
3-14 the Texas Senate.
3-15 Nelson
3-16 Armbrister Henderson Rosson
3-17 Barrientos Leedom Shapiro
3-18 Bivins Lucio Sibley
3-19 Brown Luna Sims
3-20 Cain Madla Truan
3-21 Ellis Moncrief Turner
3-22 Gallegos Montford Wentworth
3-23 Galloway Nixon West
3-24 Harris Patterson Whitmire
3-25 Haywood Ratliff Zaffirini
4-1 Bullock, President of the Senate
4-2 ______________________________________
4-3 President of the Senate
4-4 I hereby certify that the above
4-5 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-6 on April 18, 1995.
4-7 ______________________________________
4-8 Secretary of the Senate
4-9 ______________________________________
4-10 Member, Texas Senate