Ryan Lumsden with father, Alistar Lumsden at the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Ryan competed as an amateur at the event.
Senior Ryan Lumsden has been named the 2019 Byron Nelson Award winner, becoming the first Northwestern golfer to receive the prestigious award. The announcement was made on April 25, 2019 during Golf Channel's Morning Drive.
The Byron Nelson Award is presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Candidates for the Byron Nelson Award must be graduating seniors, and the selection committee considered equally a nominee's entire collegiate academic and golf career as well as his character and integrity while in college. Particular consideration was given to good citizenship, as portrayed by Mr. Byron Nelson over the course of his life and golf career.
"I am so proud of Ryan and the way he represents Northwestern University on the course, in the classroom, and in the community. He is a class act in everything he does and it is a great honor to have him receive this outstanding award." said head coach David Inglis.
Lumsden has already cemented his position as one of Northwestern's elite golfers. He holds the third-best career stroke average in program history, trailing only Dylan Wu and former World No. 1 Luke Donald.
The London, England native owns two career victories both at the Marquette Intercollegiate during his sophomore and senior seasons and has carded eight career top-five finishes. In 2016, Lumsden entered the Northwestern record book with the eighth best single-season stroke average (71.88).
Off the golf course, Lumsden has volunteered as part of the Student Athlete Advisory Council Canned Food Drive all four years, spent time coaching P.E. Classes at Orrington Elementary School, is an active participant in NU Field Day, and through his fraternity, helped raise over $53,000 for Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.
The Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar and two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree will graduate this June with a degree in Economics.
"I am not bold enough to believe I will ever match Mr. Nelson's achievements on, or off, the course," said Lumsden. "Indeed, in combining the two, I am not sure anyone ever has. But to be viewed as an individual worthy of the award that carries his names is the greatest honor I could think of as I finish my college career."
Published May 6, 2019
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