Larry Nelson to Receive the MGWA's Gold Tee Award

Elmsford, NY (June 13, 2023) —Three-time Major winner and World Golf Hall of Famer Larry Nelson will be honored with the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s premier recognition -- the Gold Tee Award.  The presentation will take place at the MGWA’s 71st National Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York.  Nelson headlines this year’s star-studded lineup of MGWA honorees, including previously announced award winners Cameron, David and Barbara Young (Family of the Year). 

Born in Ft. Payne, AL and raised in Acworth, GA, golf was the furthest thing from Larry Nelson's mind as he grew up.  He concentrated on baseball and basketball in high school and was drafted into the Army as a newlywed just three weeks after his 19th birthday.  His interest in golf was piqued after listening to a fellow soldier talk about it during training for the Vietnam war in Ft. Hood, TX, and he studied Ben Hogan's The Five Fundamentals of Golf while learning the game.  His wife bought him golf clubs for Christmas after he returned from the war, and he broke 100 the very first time he played.  Just nine months later, he broke 70.

Nelson applied to become a head pro at a local club, but after being turned down, he and his wife moved to Florida where he completed Q-School.  Nelson joined the PGA Tour after playing in just one 72-hole tournament, only four years after taking up the game!  He went on to enjoy a stellar career, winning 10 times on the PGA Tour, including three majors (the 1981 and 1987 PGA Championship and the 1983 U.S. Open).  He played on three Ryder Cup teams, finishing with a 9-3-1 record.  In 1997, Nelson joined the Champions Tour, notching 19 victories.  He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 and was honored with the PGA of America's Distinguished Service Award in 2011.  He is active in golf course design and created the LagRX Swing Trainer, which helped golfers improve their conditioning and muscle memory.

"His golf record speaks loudly, but Larry Nelson has always taken a humble approach," said MGWA President Brian Crowell.  "His Hall of Fame career was recently recognized by Jack Nicklaus and The Memorial Tournament, and we are proud to continue that trend."  Continued Crowell, "His Major Championship and Ryder Cup success underscores his talent and quiet determination.  Larry is a gentleman who has served his country and has certainly served the game of golf.  His name belongs on our list of Gold Tee Award winners. . . we are proud to celebrate Larry Nelson."

The Gold Tee Award is presented annually to an individual whose career achievements exemplify the best spirit and traditions of the sport of golf.   The Metropolitan Golf Writers Association's highest honor, the Gold Tee has been presented to such luminaries as Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Nancy Lopez, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, and Annika Sorenstam.  Recently, Mark O'Meara (2017), Padraig Harrington (2018), Jim Furyk (2019), Butch Harmon (2020/21), and Dottie Pepper (2022) have all been honored with this esteemed award.

Since its inception in 1952, the MGWA has celebrated the game of golf and promoted golf journalism.  Each year the sport's champions and contributors are honored at the MGWA's largest fundraiser, the National Awards Dinner.  This highly anticipated event is suppported by golf's leading organizations and corporate supporters, Met Area clubs and club leaders, as well as local and national golf media.  Through the Dinner and other events, the MGWA has raised millions of dollars for Caddie Scholarship programs in the Metropolitan New York area, the MGA Foundation, and the Dave Marr Journalism Scholarship at Columbia University.

Click here to purchase tickets to the Dinner.  For more information, contact Robin Sauerhaft, MGWA Executive Administrator, at: rsauerhaft@mgagolf.org.