A Byron Nelson tale with local ties

They call him the Gentleman of Golf, Lord Byron and the PGA event in his name will finish on Sunday in Irving, Texas.

Localize it?

How about this.

McKay Jacobson is a a star receiver out of South Lake Carrikk High School near Irving. He played a year for the Cougars and was instrumental in making big plays in the winning TD drive at Utah in 2006 that ended in a pass from John Beck to Jonny Harline.

Well, when McKay was a little kid, his father Evan needed some hay for their horses. He took McKay and his older brother in the family pickup truck and headed out to a farm where there was a sign for hay for sale.

The Jacobson’s drove up the long driveway to the main house and knocked on the door. When it opened, there stood Byron Nelson. Evan told him he’d heard there was hay for sale and he’d come to pick up a few bales.

“Fellas, just go load up the truck and be on your way,” the legend said.

A voice came from back in the house. “Byron, now don’t you be giving away that hay, our kids need the money.”

Nelson looked embarrassed and told the Jacobson’s to just go and load up when the voice repeated the command.

Evan asked how much it cost to load up the truck and Nelson sheepishly said he didn’t know. Evan took out a $20 and gave it to Nelson and asked if that would do.

Nelson said it would do fine.

The Jacobson’s turned to leave the door and walk off he porch when Nelson walked out of the door and asked Evan to wait. He closed the door and came to the end of the porch.

“Fellas, next time you need some hay, just drive up there to the field and take what you need, don’t come up here to the house, OK?”

The Jacobson’s nodded, smiled and left.