Byron Nelson - Hardcover

Davis, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0767900103 ISBN 13: 9780767900102

Publisher: American Geological Institute, 1998

A lavishly illustrated, magnificently produced celebration of Byron Nelson, who was recently honored with the PGA's Lifetime Achievement Award--from The American Golfer, Inc., creators of the hugely successful book "The Hogan Mystique."

Byron Nelson, now 84 years old and living in Roanoke, Texas, set one of the most extraordinary records in sports history. In 1945 he won 18 tournaments, including 11 in a row. His record still stands today. Credited with developing the modern swing and recognized as one of the finest putters of all time, golf's true "gentleman" is a much-admired hero in the golfing world. Yet, little has been written about him and his remarkable techniques. Until now.

"Byron Nelson" presents the full story of Nelson's life and career, chronicling his path from his days as a caddie for Ben Hogan in Fort Worth, Texas, through the 54 PGA events he won as a professional golfer. With a foreword by Ben Crenshaw and essays by renowned sportswriters Dave Anderson, Nick Seitz, and Dan Jenkins and golfer Tom Watson, as well as analysis by Ken Venturi, and stats by Sal Johnson, "Byron Nelson" pays tribute to Nelson's lasting impact on the game.

Printed in Italy in six colors throughout and featuring elegant black-and-white photographs and a special eight-page double gatefold, "Byron Nelson" is the perfect gift for anybody who loves golf and appreciates the history of the game.

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Review:

For a writer, formula can be dangerous. For a marketer, there's no harm in perpetuating what works. Martin Davis, a marketer par excellence in this niche, continues his run of golf tribute aces with a lovely appreciation of Lord Byron of the links. Like Davis's previous oversized homages to Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson is as big as a Tiger Woods drive, and as thoughtful as Ben Crenshaw eyeing a putt. Crenshaw doesn't do any putting here, but he does contribute a companion forward to the astute, if friendly, essays by Dave Anderson, Tom Watson, Nick Seitz, and Dan Jenkins. While the volume is large enough to accommodate the totality of Nelson's long, stellar career--a U.S. Open victory to accompany his pair of Masters and PGA titles--it zooms in strongly on his remarkable 1945 feat of 11 consecutive tournament victories, a standard matched only by Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in its unapproachable majesty.

From the Back Cover:

Byron Nelson was the top player in the game for several years during and immediately after World War Il. In 1945, he won 18 tour events, 11 of them in a row. These records were never equalled on tour before and, as the years go by, look nearly impossible to equal in future. He then retired at the age of 34. But, Nelson was much more than just a golfer. He was a pioneer in the golf business, helping develop both the golf shoes and umbrellas that we enjoy today, an astute club pro, a fine teacher, one of the first golf analysts on network television and the mentor of many, many young golf hopefuls, including Ken Venturi and Tom Watson. In words and pictures, Byron Nelson, The Story of Golf's Finest Gentleman and the Greatest Winning Streak in History tells the incredible story of Byron Nelson. We are indeed fortunate to be able to enlist the aid of some of the finest players and writers on the golf scene today - Ben Crenshaw, the two-time Masters winner and noted golf historian, Dave Anderson, the Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for The New York Times, Tom Watson, the five-time British Open champion, Nick Seitz, the Editor-in-Chief of Golf Digest, Dan Jenkins, the witty long-time columnist for Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest, and Ken Venturi, CBS television golf analyst and 1964 U.S. Open champion. In addition, statistician Sal Johnson of Golfweek magazine has compiled and brought up to date Byron's complete record.

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