PGA of America to Honor Larry Nelson

The latest chapter in the improbable golfing life of Larry Nelson will be written next week when the quiet man from Cobb County receives the highest honor accorded by the PGA of America.

Nelson, who didn’t start playing golf until he returned from Vietnam, will be awarded the PGA of America's Distinguished Service Award in a ceremony on Aug. 10 at . The award comes on the 93rd PGA Championship at the in Johns Creek and coincides with the 30th anniversary of Nelson's first major championship.

Not bad for a guy who grew up thinking only sissies played golf.

"It's quite an honor and I'm very humbled by it," Nelson said. "I have been very blessed in my career, and have been fortunate that golf has allowed me to meet many around the world, develop special friendships and serve others. I am very proud that The PGA of America would honor me with this award."

Nelson grew up in Acworth and was a multi-sport athlete at North Cobb High School, but his sport of choice was baseball. But Nelson got interested in golf while serving a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and when he returned home he began to play. Using Ben Hogan’s book, “The Five Fundamentals of Golf,” as his guide, Nelson broke 100 the first time out and had broken 70 less than a year later.

Nelson studied under PGA professional Bert Seagraves, worked countless hours at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw and played every chance he got. He became a professional in 1970 and qualified for the PGA Tour in 1973. He won his first of 10 tournaments in 1979.

More than anything, Nelson developed a well-earned reputation as a guy capable of performing well under pressure. It helped him post a 9-3-1 record while competing on three Ryder Cup teams. And he won three major championships: the 1981 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, the 1983 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh, and the 1987 PGA Championship at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Larry Nelson is one of golf’s consummate champions, who performed at the highest level on many of the game’s grandest stages and carried himself with dignity and grace to become one of the sport’s most respected ambassadors,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski.

Nelson’s first major breakthrough came in Atlanta when he posted a four-shot victory over Fuzzy Zoeller. But the breakthrough may not have occurred had it not been for a rain delay that occurred when Nelson finished the ninth hole on the first day.

“That gave me the opportunity to go to the putting green and I figured something out – I don’t even remember what it was – but I putted well the rest of the week,” Nelson said. “That was probably the difference in me winning the tournament.”

Nelson was 3-under on the back nine when he returned, then put together back-to-back 66s that allowed him to start the final round with a four-shot lead. No one ever got closer than three strokes on Sunday, as Nelson played a trouble-free 71 to seal the victory.

Nelson will compete in the PGA Championship for the first time since 2006. He played a practice round with sons Josh and Drew last month and remarked to Atlanta Athletic Club President Tom Adderhold about the length and difficulty of the course.

Nelson, 63, who now lives in Marietta with his wife Gayle, continues to compete on the Champions Tour, but spends much of his time in philanthropic endeavors. He and Joe Inman, a former professional who is now the golf coach at Georgia State, helped develop the First Tee of College Park. Nelson developed the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Camp in 1981. He helped a missionary build a gymnasium and support an orphanage in the Philippines in 2004. Most recently he's hosted a college tournament named in his honor at Kennesaw State University.

“Larry's talent on the course matches his ability to connect with others both in and outside our industry,” Wronoski said. “Through this effort, he has devoted much of his time to the welfare of those who would otherwise never pick up a golf club.”