Byron Nelson Preparations Under Way

Preparations have been going on year round

Groundskeepers and organizers are already putting in long days to get ready for one of the biggest golf tournaments in Texas.

Fans and golfers will notice some changes when the HP Byron Nelson Championship starts May 14.

Trees will be added along several holes.

"For a player that hits it down the fairway, it'll be no issue," said Paul Earnest, director of golf at the Four Seasons Resort and Club. "It's just those that error at tee shots may have a new obstacle to go around."

The tees, fairways and roughs are dormant right now, which means they're in hibernation until spring.

Come next month, things will look very different, Earnest said. That is when the grass will come out of hibernation, and crews will start grooming the course.

"We start to mow fairways three and four times a week," he said.

The perfectly manicured course will be ready for big plays -- and big deals.

"We try to focus on Irving businesses -- having them come out and use this event as a way of either entertain their clients or showcase some of their products," tournament chairman Robert Smith said.

Organizers are also expecting a younger crowd.

"The pros that are winning on tour are trending younger and younger, and we like to call them 'the young guns' with the champions like Keegan Bradley and Jason Day," Smith said.

But no matter the age, longtime golfers like David McCoy said they're just excited to see some great golf.

"My favorite part is just coming out here and watching all the pros hit their shots and knowing that we play the same holes and kind of getting an idea of where they end of versus where we end up," Plano resident David McCoy said.

On another special note, this year would have been Byron Nelson's 100th birthday -- so look for special events celebrating his legacy.

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