Golf director Paul Earnest eyes the green at his resort. Photo: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

There is always something magical about “Nelson Week” in Texas.  Known for low scores, high heels and a legion of red-panted Salesmanship Club member volunteers, the AT&T Byron Nelson, like the Masters, transcends the sport of golf.  It’s a community event, the main fundraiser for Momentous Institute, and one that consistently attracts star-quality TOUR players to pay homage to the much-missed tournament namesake.

But, the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson ushers in the end of an era. This year marks the tournament’s last hurrah at the TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas, Texas, a venue that has served this iconic tournament well for the past 35 years.

It’s also the year that Paul Earnest, the Four Seasons’ director of golf, will be on the box instead of behind the scenes when the tournament begins, playing on a much-deserved, very unexpected sponsor’s exemption.

And, that’s a story worth celebrating.

Giving Back to the Pro Behind the Scenes

2017 AT&T Byron Nelson tournament chairman Tim Costello presents Paul Earnest with the exemption. Photo: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

The whole thing started when Salesmanship Club leaders and Tournament Director Jon Drago discussed how to thank all the people who have made the tournament so successful all of these years. Paul Earnest was high on that list.

“Paul has been a rock for us for the last 20 years,” said Tim Costello, long-time Salesmanship Club member and 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson tournament chairman. “Dealing with all the logistics ‘behind the fence’ of a tournament like this is complex, to say the least. He and his team run our three Pro-Ams, our Media Challenge and go above and beyond to make sure that everyone has a great experience.”

According to Costello, Earnest isn’t just a great director of golf. He’s a great human being.

“In 20 years, I have never seen him lose his temper, no matter what happens. He treats everyone, from the guys in the bag room to the TOUR pros, with the same professionalism, politeness and respect,” Costello said. “Plus, Paul really ‘gets’ our charity; he visits the school every year. He’s a great guy and a good, professional golfer. So, we thought the best way to honor that was to award him with the sponsor’s exemption. “

Costello gave Earnest the news at the annual tournament kickoff luncheon, with hundreds of people, from Salesmanship Club members and city officials to sponsors and media, in attendance.

“I will never forget the look on Paul’s face when he heard what we were offering,” Costello said. “I’m smiling now just thinking about it. He was genuinely honored, which is exactly what we wanted.”

Earnest was literally speechless.

Paul Earnest holding his well-deserved prize. Photo: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

“I was overwhelmed—that’s the best way to describe it,” Earnest said. “I wanted to acknowledge him and speak, and I tried to, but, no words would come out of my mouth.”

He had earned an exemption in 1999 after qualifying for the tournament the year before. But, this honor, at this time of his career, was far more special. And one he never saw coming.

“I know how valuable exemptions are to the golfing world and their organizations and causes. People who have first played in this event—like Tiger, Jordan and Sergio—have helped make this tournament have its history.  You oftentimes use sponsor exemptions to find a young player who is going to have a long history with you if they make it,” Earnest said. “So, I know how valuable those exemptions are and I never dreamed that I would be given this incredible opportunity.”

The news traveled fast. In fact, his wife of 26 years, Shelley, and Earnest’s two college-age children, daughter Logan and son Brandon, all heard about the exemption through social media before Earnest personally had a chance to let them know.

“My wife was still in tears when I got home, and I think my son was in shock,” he said. “They knew that this was a career moment for me, in a lot of ways. To be able to celebrate that—that’s   what family is for.”

The Importance of Being Earnest

It’s important to note that, beyond being a great person, Earnest has achieved a great many things in his career.

This Houston, Texas native started playing the game when he was just 10 years old. He had some early success in the junior golf world, and then was recruited to play at the University of Texas (Austin).

Paul Earnest will tee off at the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson, the final year the tournament will be held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. Photo: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

“One of the greatest things that happened to me early on was working full-time at a place called Barton Creek. At that time, I had a year left in school and had just finished my eligibility. As much as I enjoyed competition, I fell in love with the golf business there,” Earnest said. “I had every job possible and, when I left seven years later, I was the head pro of a 36-hole resort, and I wasn’t even 30 years old.”

From there, Earnest went on to open the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio, the first high-end, daily fee course in the area. Golf was booming at the time and the venue was “crazy successful.”  Meanwhile, Earnest gained a whole new level of experience to prepare him for what was to come.

“My biggest break of all came when I started at the Four Seasons on January 1, 1998. It had it all—members, resort, the PGA TOUR played here. This was the one that you circle in your book when you start your career and say, ‘That’s where I’m trying to get,’” he said. “I’m in my twentieth year now and I love it as much as I did in the beginning. “

The Byron Nelson Influence

With two decades of Nelsons under his belt, Earnest has myriad stories to tell. But, one of his most memorable was an early interaction with the iconic namesake himself.

“It was one of the early years that I made the tournament, but missed the cut, so I was back to my normal role at the club. That Saturday, Byron was on the first tee, greeting players.  I snuck out on the tee to say hello to Byron and watch some of the featured groups.  But, even as director of golf, I didn’t have the proper credentials to be in that area, so I was asked to leave the tee in front of Byron,” Earnest said. “It wasn’t a big deal. I was slightly embarrassed, of course; but I went back to doing my job and didn’t really think much about it after that.”

Sunday came, and all of a sudden, Earnest had a group of Salesmanship Club members urgently tracking him down. Byron wanted to see him.

“I walked out to the 18th green, where Byron was watching players come in. He looked at me and said, ‘Sit with me for a while,’ which I did. He ultimately said that he was sorry that I was removed from the tee as director of golf and, in his own private, personal way, wanted to make me feel welcome at his side,” Earnest said. “That was the start of my relationship with Byron the eight-plus years I got to know him. He really touched my life that day, and showed me how to treat people. After all of these years, that’s one of the memories I think about most.

“I’ll never forget the way he made me feel.”

Preparing for the Competition

Although it’s impossible not to be nostalgic about the Nelson’s swan song at a place Earnest loves so much, come Thursday, with his son on his bag, he’ll be fully focused on the present.

“I can tell you that no player in this tournament has thought about that first tee shot more than I have,” he said.

Playing on his home course is advantageous in that he knows the angles, bounces and how to approach things. But, there are some disadvantages, too.

Paul’s family will certainly be cheering him on. Photo: Paul Earnest

“The golf course really peaks at tournament time and that makes it different. The greens are faster and firmer, and break a little differently, so you have to adjust for that,” Earnest said. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you only came here for the Nelson year over year, you would only have those experiences and be more accustom to playing on those surfaces than I am. So, I’m looking for those, and trying to soak them in.”

And then, there’s the all-important mental game.

“My biggest job is just to deal with the emotion of it all, and try to keep it in the proper context, and not get overwhelmed like I was when I got the invitation,” Earnest said.

Although he wants to stay in the moment, Earnest knew what his fantasy pairing would be the moment I asked.

“My fantasy pairing is the one that happens on the weekend,” he said.

Byron Nelson elevated the game of golf, not just because of his exemplary performance on the course, but by being the man he was every day, every week, every year.

Kudos to the Salesmanship Club and Momentous Institute for celebrating another one of the good guys in golf. Someone who, working behind the scenes, brings the same kind of class to the game that Byron did for so many years.

And congratulations, Paul Earnest, for not only earning the exemption, but for being the kind of person we all want to cheer for, in golf and in life.

We look forward to watching your final round on Sunday.