Half & Quarter Century Members

Ben Nelson Reaches the 50 Year Mark as PGA Member

Ben F. Nelson, Jr. was born in Canton, MS where he grew up playing golf at Canton Country Club under golf professionals Leo Silva and Robbie Webb. Nelson graduated from Canton High School in 1962 and furthered his education at Mississippi State University where he was a member of the golf team and graduated in 1966. Following graduation, Nelson became an Assistant Golf Professional under Johnny Stahl at Vicksburg Country Club from 1967-1968, and in 1969 became the Head Golf Professional at Live Oaks Golf Club in Jackson, MS; he became a partner in 1982 and continued to hold both positions through 1987.

During his time as a Head Golf Professional, Nelson served on the Board of the Gulf States Section of the PGA of America as Secretary from 1974-1975, Treasurer from 1976-1977, and President from 1978-1980. In 1979, Nelson was awarded the Gulf States Section, PGA of America Professional of the Year, and was the recipient of the PGA of America Professional Development Award in 1980 & 1983. In 1985, Nelson was instrumental in working to bring the PGA of America and Mississippi State University together to form the Professional Golf Management Program which is the second oldest program in the country.

Nelson’s success in golf administration led him to becoming a major part of the PGA TOUR beginning in 1987. Nelson served as a PGA TOUR Rules Official from 1987-1993 followed by serving as a PGA TOUR Tournament Director for 10 years spanning from 1993- 2003. Nelson then moved over to the PGA Champions Tour where he served as a Tournament Director from 2005-2008. During this time Nelson officiated over 40 major golf championships including The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, The PGA Championship, The Player’s Championship, The Ryder Cup, and The President’s Cup where he was instrumental in helping to design and implement the format of The President’s Cup and served as the Tournament Director from its inception until 2003.

In addition to Nelson’s achievement on the PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour, in 2001 he became partner in Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor which covers Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and western Tennessee. In 1995 Nelson was inducted into the Mississippi State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2003 was inducted into the Gulf States Section, PGA of America, Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Ben Nelson for 50 Great Years!