Having grown up in Dallas/Ft. Worth, one couldn't help but know the name Byron Nelson. I can only wish that I had known the man personally. Obviously with the tournament being held here that bore his name, we all felt as though we did know Lord Byron. He was indeed the consummate gentleman. The game of golf and all of humanity has truly lost a legend. My prayers and sympathy go out to Peggy and all of the Nelson Family. Jim Hill

When Byron was doing golf commentary, I was at the U. S. Open at Pebble Beach back in the late 70's. As I was walking near the hotel Byron was walking in the opposite direction; no one else was around. I nodded to him and smiled in recognition and said nothing, but not Byron. He said, with a big smile, "Nice to see you; what a nice day." He was a great golfer and supreme gentleman. Truly a wonderful life. Gary Bizzell

When I was just a kid in the mid 1930's, my father took me to watch Byron Nelson put on a clinic at Richland Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee. I still have a couple of visual images of him hitting a drive off the tee and a long iron on to a distant green. I also had the privilege of meeting him in Tacoma, Washington when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis. He was there for a TOUR event in 1945-46. He and I were baptized in the Church of Christ by the same preacher, J.P. Sanders. Having that in common I introduced myself to him and he was most gracious to me in that brief encounter. He has been my role model in golf and in many respects as a man. I pay my respects to him and his memory. May the Lord bless his family, Jennings Davis, Jr. (79)

The golf community has lost a true legend and possibly one of the most beautiful men on the planet. The grace and dignity with which he carried himself will stay with me as much as his graceful swing, the most beautiful swing I have ever seen. Imagine the foursome getting set to tee off in Heaven right now...Jones, Hogan, Snead, and Lord Byron. God Bless his family and friends and thank God for blessing us with this wonderful man. John Robinson

I was first introduced to Mr. Nelson three years ago by Coach Howard Negdet at his annual golf tournament for area high school golfers at TPC Los Colinas. I can remember a time when I was playing a practice round for the U.S. Open Qualifier at Trophy Club Country Club and Mr. Nelson pulled up beside the tee box on No. 7, he was on the passenger side of a white minivan and, after I had hit my shot, he rolled down the window and said "great swing, very nice, very nice". Not realizing who had made the comment I turned and looked toward the street saying to myself, I know that voice. I will remember Mr. Nelson of course for his accomplishments as a golfer but the one thing that will remain with me and the thing that I will remember most is the kind of person he was. He was the kind of person who took the time to stop and say hello, the kind of person who cared for others and loved his Lord and Savior. He was a great man, a good man, a good husband, so very good at more things other than golf. He was a great human being. I could only hope to be able to grow into the kind of person Mr. Nelson was. His annual tournament for area golfers is scheduled for Monday, October 23rd. I will truly miss seeing not having the opportunity to see him again. My family and I live not very far from Byron and Peggy here in Roanoke, Texas. And we would like the Nelson family to know that you are all in our prayers. We love you, Hal, Susan, Mackenzie & Jack Story

As a child growing up, I was fascinated by the game of golf and its legends. When I first started learning about Byron Nelson, I couldn't believe his story was real. I had my goals on winning my first Bantam Club championship. Understand that 11 consecutive PGA TOUR wins was, for a young hopeful golfer, like someone who likes geography discovering the size of the universe. I played competitively for 10 years, and had many successes of my own. Now when I look at his career, it still seems like the size of the universe. Golf lost its greatest gentleman today, and the world of sports lost a true legend. My condolences to everyone in the world who marveled at Byron Nelson's career as I did, and were touched by his unsurpassable modesty. Colin Bruce Anthes

I had the incredible luck to meet Mr. Nelson at his tournament last year. My son and I were watching the tournament on Friday when Mr. Nelson was driven up in a cart. I went over to thank him both for what he had done for the game, but also for the charity work he did over the years. He was very gracious and appreciated my comments. But then, he started to tell my son and I about the history of the tournament -- how it was initially unprofitable and how the organizers finally asked him if he knew Arnold Palmer. Of course, he agreed to call Arnold and when Arnie announced that he would be there, ticket sales soared!

So for 10 minutes or so, we had the privilege of listening to the entire history of the tournament and the charitable work resulting from it. Mr. Nelson was so proud! I was so happy that my son could see a real role model and hear his story first hand. It was an encounter I will always remember. James Lockwood

Today the world lost more than a mere man, a great golfer and mentor to so many for so long. Society as a whole lost an example of what it means do be a decent man. Long removed from the spectacle of his records and the adulation on the golf course, Byron Nelson lived his life and comported himself with a civility and dignity that is quickly evaporating from our midst. The heat of the spotlight and the ego of the star du jour have reduced sports to a 24-hour ESPN cycle of "me". It's cliché to say "they broke the mold when they made Byron Nelson". Maybe, just maybe, the example set by this fine gentleman will be the new mold for many more fine gentlemen in the future. We can only hope. God bless Mr. Nelson and his family. Pat Patterson

Texas has a way about it. In the rural areas you can witness the true spirit of the old Texas. That spirit is both gentle and strong at the same time. Real Texas men have been tough, strong, unwavering gentlemen. Byron Nelson was a true Texan and the game of golf was fortunate when he became such a presence and role model for all golfers, both professional and amateur alike. The golfing world, and all of Texas, will miss him greatly, but never forget him.

My condolences to the entire Nelson family and all of Mr. Nelson's friends, Rusty Little

Only ever so often do we experience the wonders of the world. When it happens right in front of our eyes we tend to acknowledge it but fail to grasp the big picture. Byron Nelson was indeed the Big Picture during his reign as golf's No.1 phenomenon. We will miss him dearly and his record will never be broken. He brought dignity and honor to a game that is so often cheated upon. God bless his family and we all, around the world, feel deeply his passing and the world his presence will be missed by millions. God Bless you and thanks for the many years of dignity and joy you brought the world. A.J. McGurran

A great loss to golfing community, but more importantly a tragic loss to humanity. Put aside his golf accomplishments. He truly respected golf for what it should be "a gentleman's game". I read a quote once and he said " always find out what the local club pro shot at that course and never try to beat that score out of respect to the pro" or something like that. To me, that brought tears to my eyes. In my opinion that tells me that NO ONE is above the game. Thank you and God bless. We will all miss LORD BYRON.

To The Family of Byron Nelson,

It was heartbreaking to read the announcement today of Byron Nelson's passing. As a youngster, my first set of golf clubs were a set MacGregor Byron Nelson irons. In most golf club grills, back in those days when a golfer would win on the TOUR was, "It wouldn't have been so easy for that fellow to win, if Byron was still playing on TOUR."

Byron Nelson appeared to always be the perfect example that golf was truly a gentleman's game. He knew the game and its players so well. He even seemed to appreciate the newer players as the game changed with the newer equipment. I am so saddened that our game's youth will not be able to witness this wonderful man's attitude and love for the sport.

I do hope that someone with vision and the wherewithall will produce a documentary biography of Mr. Bryon Nelson's life and his attitude in golf. If properly done, this could stand as the Bible of golf. There will be a tremendous void in the game with his absence and I personally will miss his presence at his PGA TOUR stop in Texas.

My heart goes out to the Nelson family but it is also accompanied with envy in knowing that they were privy in enjoying their lives with one of God's best creations.

Dave Jennings
Coach, Men's Golf
Central Alabama Community College

My name is Mike Wheeler, and I play golf for Stetson University. I have looked up to Mr. Nelson my whole life, and it is a sad day in America to lose such a great athlete. I know everyone on the TOUR will mourn the loss of Mr. Nelson, but still carry on his tradition of being on of the greatest gentleman to ever play the game. I wish the Nelson family the best of luck, and your family and friends will be in my prayers. God Bless, Mike Wheeler

One of the best is gone. For those who love the game, integrity and classic savior of golf, a great loss. From Spain, our condolences. Antonio de Torre. Malaga, Spain.

I met Byron Nelson at the U.S. Open at Hazeltine in 1970. I was a 17-year old kid relishing the Christmas gift of Open tickets my parents had given me. While walking up the fairway on number 11, I came across two stately gentlemen who greeted me warmly and walked along a couple of holes with me. We talked golf and they told me what a great gift my mom and dad had given me. They treated me like we had just come back from sailing around the world together. I will never forget Mr. Nelson, or his walking companion, Joe Dey. Golf is great because of men like them. Thank you gentlemen, thank you very much.

Guy Green

I first met Mr. Nelson at the Masters a few years back. He, Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead were the Honorary Starters. As I sat on the front row behind the first tee, I was struck by the down to earth and friendly demeanor of all three but especially drawn by the gentlemanly way of Mr. Nelson. Now they are all gone and will be greatly missed by the greatest game. I am sorry to see that another page has turned and a golden time has now passed. Byron will be greatly missed. I'm sure that the three of them are probably teeing it up on the other side. Gary