Murphy of Louisville Named Recipient of Byron Nelson Award presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf
NORMAN, Okla. —John Murphy of Louisville has been named recipient of the 2020 Byron Nelson Award presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Candidates for the Nelson Award must be a graduating senior and the selection committee considers equally a nominee’s entire collegiate academic and golf career as well as his character and integrity while in college. Particular consideration will be given to a nominee’s good citizenship, as portrayed by Mr. Byron Nelson over the course of his life and golf career.
“We at Srixon/Cleveland Golf take great pride in our sponsorship and involvement with the GCAA and the Byron Nelson Award,” said Rodney McDonald, VP of Tour Operations at Srixon/Cleveland Golf. “This year’s recipient, John Murphy from the University of Louisville, exemplifies all the qualities the committee looks for and the past recipients represent. Congratulations to John, his family, coaches, university, and teammates. All should be proud of this esteemed accomplishment.”
“The Salesmanship Club of Dallas congratulates John on his award,” said Jon Drago, Tournament Director of the AT&T Byron Nelson. “His great play and more importantly the way he conducts himself and represents the values of the game are truly representative of the award named for Byron Nelson.
“Mr. Nelson has been the inspiration behind the AT&T Byron Nelson for more than 50 years, and we look forward to him competing with us once he has fulfilled his obligations at the University of Louisville.”
Murphy, a native of Kinsale, Ireland, through four years at Louisville posted a scoring average of 71.98 and earned a pair of individual victories during his senior season. The senior was a PING All-Region selection in 2019 and 2020, a 2020 PING Honorable Mention All-American, as well as an ACC-All Academic Team selection and a Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar.
Off the golf course, Murphy has served his community by volunteering at the Franciscan Kitchen of Louisville, the Open Adult Wheelchair Basketball event for the Metro Parks Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation division, as well as the local Salvation Army.
"I am still overawed to have been honored with this award and to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Byron Nelson," said Murphy. "To be recognized for what I do both on and off the golf course is incredible and I am so grateful that the committee put their faith in me.
"I am also very thankful that the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic committee have honored this award with an exemption into their tournament," continued Murphy. "Srixon/Cleveland Golf have been amazing with supporting this prestigious award and the opportunities that are created for players through Srixon/Cleveland Golf are admirable. I feel incredibly lucky and humbled to be the recipient of this year’s award and I will do everything I can to honor the award and the legacy that Byron Nelson has left."