Byron Nelson

Byron Nelson (1912–2006) was one of the greatest players in golf history, winning 52 PGA Tour events including five major championships during a relatively brief competitive career from 1935 to 1946. He is best remembered for his remarkable 1945 season, when he won 18 tournaments including 11 consecutively—a record that still stands. Nelson retired from full-time competition at 34 to become a Texas rancher, though he continued to compete in the Masters well into the 1960s.

After stepping away from tournament play, Nelson remained deeply involved in golf as an ABC Sports commentator and mentor to younger players. He also lent his expertise to course design, working on a portfolio concentrated in Texas and the South. His designs include Preston Trail in Dallas, which hosted the PGA Tour event bearing his name from 1968 to 1982, as well as Las Colinas and Cottonwood Valley at the Four Seasons Resort in Irving, both of which later served as tournament venues. Other notable Nelson designs include Timarron, Hackberry Creek, and courses at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Nelson received golf's highest honors, including induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Bob Jones Award, and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Sources: Wikipedia articles linked above; course list from Course Vaults.