Nelson's spirit lives on at the TOUR's annual stop in Dallas

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Byron Nelson passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on in Dallas.

IRVING, Texas -- His image is all over the place. In the 9-1/2 foot bronze statue that greets visitors as they approach the first tee. In the tribute area adjacent to the merchandise tent. Inside the Hall of Champions that features memorabilia from his legendary career. In the words and pictures that pop up at the HP Technology Zone. On the sign that lists his greatest accomplishments, including some that will never be equaled.

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And of course in the tournament logo, a simple shadow of a man wearing his familiar fedora and leaning on his driver, hands on his hips, his legs casually crossed at the ankles.

Byron Nelson passed away Sept. 26, 2006, but his namesake tournament makes sure that Lord Byron's spirit comes to the forefront each May at the TPC Four Seasons at Las Colinas. This week's HP Byron Nelson Championship is the fourth one held since his death at the age of 94, and the importance of maintaining the legend's presence cannot be overstated.

"If you're going to keep Byron's name on the tournament," said Dallas resident Tommy Armour III, "you have to keep his spirit alive."

And so they do, through such things as the Byron Nelson Prize, which was created after Nelson's death and awarded annually to a person in the golf world who embodies the same philanthropic spirit that Nelson brought to the Dallas community. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas, which runs the HP Byron Nelson Championship with its bevy of red-panted volunteers, has raised more than $112 million for charity for troubled and at-risk children.

This year's recipient, Tom Watson, was a member of Nelson's inner circle, one of his favorites, a player who won this tournament four times when it was played at Preston Trail.

As much as he appreciated the $100,000 contribution that will go to charities of his choosing, Watson was grateful for the opportunity to spend some time this week talking about his friend and mentor, telling stories of how he met Nelson and the support he received through the years.

Watson realizes that younger golfers may have only a vague understanding of what Nelson achieved during the 1930s and '40s. He thinks this week's tournament offers an annual history lesson. It's no wonder that another award created after Nelson's death, the Byron Nelson International Golf Award, is given to outstanding junior golfers.

"One of the things we do here at the Byron Nelson, we try to pass down his legacy, what he did," Watson said. "And it's simple to say Byron Nelson, winner of 11 straight tournaments, and 18 tournaments in one year, to get the attention of anybody -- including the kids who have never read any history or golf at all.

"Eleven tournaments in a row gets their attention."

Of course, the TOUR pros participating this week are more attuned to Nelson's legacy, and that's one reason why they show up.

Even though Nelson is no longer sitting in his chair at the 18th green, warmly greeting each golfer as he finishes his round, they know this is still his tournament. Instead of the handshake, they are greeted at each teebox with a sign related to Nelson. On the No. 1 tee, for example, the sign reads, "Byron's work for the kids continues."

"It's always special to have a legend of the game and the history that he had kind of brought to this tournament," said Dallas resident Hunter Mahan. "You see it on every hole, some sort of facts that are just incredible of how great of a player he was, and the fact that he started this tournament, was here every day -- it's just a special thing."

Corey Pavin, this year's U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, is playing in his 23rd HP Byron Nelson Championship. Although he's won at each of the other three Texas stops -- San Antonio, Fort Worth and Houston -- on the PGA TOUR, he's never won in Dallas, a tie for second in 1993 the closest that he's come. If he did win this week, he would be the first player to complete the Texas Slam.

Even though he's not discounting his chances, the odds are not favorable for the 50-year-old Pavin, who has been juggling playing duties on both the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour this year along with his Ryder Cup responsibilities. But more than that, Pavin knows this may be his last opportunity to play in Dallas, as his spot for next year is not guaranteed.

No wonder he felt a little nostalgic on Wednesday when discussing the event.

"I love this tournament," Pavin said. "I love how it's run, the Salesmanship Club, how much money it raises for charity each year. It's the No. 1 tournament on TOUR in that respect, and it's great to have Byron Nelson's name attached to it.

"I hope it always stays attached to it."

Because of the respect he has for Nelson and his memory, defending champion Rory Sabbatini is upset that more of the top-ranked golfers are not in Dallas this week. Four of the top 15 players in the FedExCup rankings are in the field, and Mahan is the highest-ranked golfer in the world rankings at No. 17.

"I am a little surprised," the outspoken Sabbatini said Wednesday. "Personally a little disappointed. I think what makes this tournament such a great tournament is it's held in a great venue in a great city, and it has one of the greatest names ever associated with the name of golf behind it.

"With Peggy (Nelson's widow) being here and representing it, I see it" -- the absence of top golfers -- "in the sense as being a little disrespectful to Byron Nelson's name."

HP, the title sponsor for this event, has embraced its association with Nelson and the charitable aspect of the tournament. Michael Mendenhall, HP's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, noted that the event has a broader purpose beyond golf, thanks to the charities.

That's why his company is glad to lend its financial support, calling the tournament "a great legacy to Lord Byron."

Of course, the tournament offers a way for the pros to keep the Nelson spirit alive. Golfers miss his friendly smile, the notes he will send them, the tips he offers, so maintaining a presence in his namesake event is all they have left.

"It's neat," Mahan said, "to have Byron live through this tournament."