GREAT CHAMPIONS THINK OF THEMSELVES WITH SOBER JUDGMENT

"…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment." (Romans 12:3b, NIV)

The Amplified Bible expands Paul's instruction here, stating that the believer is "not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance; but to rate his ability with sober judgment."  Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words states the word "sober" comes from two Greek words: sozo, to save; and phren, the mind; hence, "self-controlled… temperate… of sound mind.”

The past two months I have frequently thought of the death and legacy of Byron Nelson, who was recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award granted by the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government.

I read an interesting article by Grant Boone, a journalist from Abilene, Texas, and a contributor to PGA.COM News. In it Boone stated: "Byron Nelson wasn't randomly respectable, not generically good." Boone wrote. "He was a follower of Christ, and his discipleship dictated his decency, demeanor, decision-making and the way he dealt with people…Wherever the debate over which golfer is the best of all time ends, Byron Nelson was the game's finest man, hands down."

Of all the well-said words by Boone, I like most the word "demeanor." 

Though he was the "father of the modern golf swing" and established records that seem insurmountable—winning 11 straight PGA Tour Championships, 18 in one year and finishing in the top twenty 113 times in a row—he will be remembered more for being a model of humility and character than achievement. Tiger Woods became an admirer of Lord Byron when he received a handwritten letter after he won his first U.S. Amateur Championship. "He had a softness about him that was very unique," Tiger said. His student, Tom Watson, said, "He was a gentle man."

That's what I remember most about him. He was a gentle-man. A humble man.

I believe Boone captured the essence of Lord Byron's character when he said simply: "He was a follower of Christ…"

Byron possessed the demeanor of Christ. He learned to "rate his abilities with sober-judgment" and not hold onto an "exaggerated opinion of his own importance."

Lord Byron grew up in humble surroundings, learning to play golf when he was not caddying. When he finished his work on the PGA Tour, he bought a ranch and derived much happiness over his long life from carpentry. Byron left all of us in the world of golf the Legacy of a Well-Lived Life.

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Jim Hiskey

December 14, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

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