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John Murphy Named 2020 Byron Nelson Award Winner
May 28, 2020 | Men's Golf
LOUISVILLE, Ky. –Senior John Murphy has been named the 2020 Byron Nelson Award winner, becoming the first University of Louisville golfer to earn the prestigious award, presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and the Golf Coaches Association of America.
The Byron Nelson Award is presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas and 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.
"I'm so pleased and excited for John," said Mark Crabtree, who retired after the season. "John is a tremendous player who improved each year. His becoming an All-American is a great testament to his drive, dedication, and passion. He has an infectious and engaging personality to be a great teammate and his willingness to put team first always showed up."
"I love his commitment to helping others in service. A selfless individual, John was always quick to jump in and provide a help to someone else. Because of these examples, John was a perfect candidate. His selection as the 2020 Byron Nelson award winner puts a stamp on his efforts, maturity, and development. I couldn't be more proud of him."
"I'm very excited for John," new head coach Ryan Blagg said. "The Byron Nelson award is one of the highest awards in college golf. Mr. Nelson left a legacy of not only being one of the game's greatest players but also for being the greatest role model for all young golfers."
Murphy has already cemented his position as one of Louisville's elite golfers. He holds the third-best career stroke average in program history at 71.98, and is one of four players in school history to win a pair of events in a season.
The native of Kinsale, Ireland, ended the year with a school record 69.59 stroke average and earned a pair of individual victories during his senior season -- the first two wins of his career. He won the Bearcat Invitational by shooting a 17-under-par and fired a 7-under-par 65 to capture the rain-shortened Dorado Beach Invitational.
"I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this award," Murphy said. "To bring this award to Louisville for the first time is my biggest achievement as a Cardinal. I had an unbelievable time my senior year and to know that I had an impact both on and off the golf course is immensely satisfying for me. Byron Nelson left a legacy like no other and to be mentioned in the same sentence as him in an honor."
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 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.
The Byron Nelson Award is presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas and 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.
"I'm so pleased and excited for John," said Mark Crabtree, who retired after the season. "John is a tremendous player who improved each year. His becoming an All-American is a great testament to his drive, dedication, and passion. He has an infectious and engaging personality to be a great teammate and his willingness to put team first always showed up."
"I love his commitment to helping others in service. A selfless individual, John was always quick to jump in and provide a help to someone else. Because of these examples, John was a perfect candidate. His selection as the 2020 Byron Nelson award winner puts a stamp on his efforts, maturity, and development. I couldn't be more proud of him."
"I'm very excited for John," new head coach Ryan Blagg said. "The Byron Nelson award is one of the highest awards in college golf. Mr. Nelson left a legacy of not only being one of the game's greatest players but also for being the greatest role model for all young golfers."
Murphy has already cemented his position as one of Louisville's elite golfers. He holds the third-best career stroke average in program history at 71.98, and is one of four players in school history to win a pair of events in a season.
The native of Kinsale, Ireland, ended the year with a school record 69.59 stroke average and earned a pair of individual victories during his senior season -- the first two wins of his career. He won the Bearcat Invitational by shooting a 17-under-par and fired a 7-under-par 65 to capture the rain-shortened Dorado Beach Invitational.
"I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this award," Murphy said. "To bring this award to Louisville for the first time is my biggest achievement as a Cardinal. I had an unbelievable time my senior year and to know that I had an impact both on and off the golf course is immensely satisfying for me. Byron Nelson left a legacy like no other and to be mentioned in the same sentence as him in an honor."
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 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.
Players Mentioned
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