Perhaps the most impressive part of the AT&T Byron Nelson is the fact that the kids from Momentous Institute, the tournament beneficiary, are involved in every aspect of the event. Not as “poster children,” but active participants, doing everything from greeting to caddying to marshaling, to performing at the opening ceremony.
Their joy is contagious, in the very best kind of way. That’s one thing that makes this iconic event so special. As does its higher purpose.
Sergio Garcia and Peggy Nelson look on as Momentous students perform a song. Photo by Kate Whidden
Yes, the AT&T Byron Nelson is a golf tournament, a social event and a coveted stop on the PGA TOUR. But, this tournament has always been so much more than that.
The tournament beneficiary is the Salesmanship Club of Dallas’ Momentous Institute, an organization that changes the odds for kids by teaching them social emotional health, as well as academics. It’s also a leading provider of therapeutic services.
In a word, the organization is amazing, impacting 6,000 kids and family members each year.
Byron Nelson and his legacy is the heart of this PGA TOUR tournament.
So, it follows that the tournament supporting it is like no other; one that blends course and cause to create one beautiful event every year. The payout is more than the trophy, the purse or the opportunity to catapult up the rankings.
This tournament is personal, on myriad levels. Which is one of the factors that make it so special.
Maybe it’s the fact that the ever-classy Peggy Nelson carries on golf legend Byron’s tradition; lending the personal touch on site, in her own spectacular way. She radiates the same kind of joy and yes, love, that the legendary tournament namesake evoked—and, does it all with a down-to-earth style that you don’t see often at any other event.
Peggy Nelson at the opening ceremony of the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson
It’s about hope and help and a whole lot of love.
It’s a place where the TOUR players, though many far from home, connect with the kids of Momentous on a very real level. We can’t say whether this involvement makes being away from their own families a little less difficult, or reminds them that what they do has an impact that’s far greater than fairways and greens.
Either way, the experience is special.
Consider the TOUR pro, who participates in the Gold Pro-Am, finishing his round, opening his locker and finding a personal, handwritten note like this:
Dear amazing gofer,
You have amazing golf skills. Use them and you will have luck in your swing.
P.S.: Thank you for playing in the tournament that supports my school.
Photo courtesy of Momentous Institute
That’s what The Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Momentous Institute and the kids of Momentous do.
They make the AT&T Byron Nelson more than your average PGA Tour event. By converging golf, golfers and cause, they never let any of us forget that this tournament is about so much more than a sporting event.
This tournament is about life and hope and possibility. It’s a tournament with a mission, and a lot of love behind it—from tee to green and beyond.
