Golf legend Byron Nelson will be posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Nelson, a former ACU board member, is only one of five athletes ever to receive this honor.Nelson died Sept. 26, 2006, at his home in Roanoke, Texas. He was 94. That same month, Nelson became the first golfer to be awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. The U.S. Congress voted unanimously to award and honor Nelson with the nation's highest civilian honor for his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher and commentator.
"In a real sense, this honor is a tribute to Byron Nelson, the man," said Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of ACU. "While he has won many awards for his achievements as a golfer, this recognition goes far beyond being simply a golf award. Fewer than 200 such gold medals have been presented since George Washington was named the first recipient."
The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to any individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity and national interest of the country. Other athletes who have received this award include Joe Lewis, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente.
Nelson was a longtime supporter and friend of ACU's golf program and the university itself. After his retirement from the PGA, Nelson became a member of ACU's Board of Trustees (1965-74) and National Development Council (elected in 1963). His brother, Dr. Charles Nelson, is a professor emeritus of music at ACU.
Still revered by today's PGA Tour players as the "ultimate gentleman," Nelson became directly involved with the ACU golf program in May 1984 when ACU hosted a fundraising event in Dallas honoring him. The dinner raised more than $400,000 to permanently endow the ACU men's golf program.
Nelson returned to Abilene twice in the last four years to be part of special ceremonies where he was recognized. In February 2002, he was awarded the first "21st Century Award" in honor of his outstanding contribution to the ACU athletics program. And in May 2005, he made his last appearance at ACU to honor longtime friend and former ACU golfer Jon Bradley, who was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame.
Nelson was elected to the PGA Hall of Fame in 1953, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
McCaleb, Jared Mosley, director of athletics at ACU, and Mike Campbell, ACU head golf coach, will travel to Washington D.C. to represent ACU at the award ceremony.
See the related story about the award ceremony on Star-Telegram.com.
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