Haas School of Business Senior Brandon Hagy was named the winner of the 2014 Byron Nelson Award during a live television appearance Monday morning on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Byron Nelson Award,” said Hagy. “It is humbling to be associated with Mr. Nelson’s name and this is a memory I will keep for the rest of my life. I feel fortunate to know the other finalists and I will say that college golf and the communities they are from are better off with them involved in the game. They are outstanding in their own ways. I have tried to have balance throughout my golfing career and I feel it is our obligation to give back.”
The selection committee for the Nelson Award considers equally a nominee’s entire collegiate academic and golf career and his character and integrity while in college. Particular consideration is given to a nominee’s good citizenship.
“Byron Nelson was known as the gentleman of golf and was one of the most likeable and most respected players in the history of the PGA TOUR,” Cal head coach Steve Desimone said. “He was known for giving back to communities and people and was one of the best human beings on the planet.”
Hagy is involved with a number of community service and volunteer activities. Off campus, he works with The First Tee, Special Olympics and the Northern California Golf Association’s Youth on Course for underprivileged children. He also is the golf team’s representative on the Golden Bear Advisory Committee, a group that organizes student-athletes in community service including feeding the homeless, visiting local hospitals and also as acts as a liaison to the Cal athletics administration on behalf of fellow student-athletes. Hagy is the first Cal player to win the award.