James Nelford

Category: Player – Amateur/Professional

Jim Nelford winning the 1975 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship


Inducted: 2013

Born: June 28, 1955
Place of Birth: Vancouver, B.C.

Vancouver native Jim Nelford had an outstanding amateur career winning the British Columbia Junior in 1973, the British Columbia Amateur in 1975 and back to back Canadian Amateur Championships in 1975 and 1976. He represented Canada on the team that won the 1975 Commonwealth Trophy Tournament. Attending Brigham Young University, Jim was a 2nd Team All American in 1975 and 1976. He also captured the Western Amateur Championship and the French Nations Cup in 1977.

International:

  • 1976 All-American, 2nd Team
  • 1977 Western Amateur Champion
  • 1977 French Nations Cup Champion
  • 1978 Cacharel Under 25 Champion
  • 1980 World Cup Champion
  • 1983 Essex International Classic Champion

National:

  • 1975 and 1976 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion

Teams:

  • 1975 Winning Commonwealth Team Member
  • 1977 All-American, 2nd Team
  • 1979, 1980, 1983 World Cup Member

Provincial:

  • 1973 British Columbia High School Champion
  • 1973 British Columbia Junior Champion
  • 1975 British Columbia Amateur Champion
  • 1983 British Columbia Open Champion

Items of note:

  • 1984 Co-Author Season’s in a Golfers Life with Lorne Rubenstein
  • 1978-1988 PGA Tour Player: Sea Pines Heritage, 2nd, Bing Crosby Pro-Am, 2nd
  • 1990-present Broadcaster – ESPN, TSN, CBC

Awards:

1992 Ben Hogan Award, Golf Writers of America 

Inducted to BC Golf Hall of Fame in 2013

Resources:

Photos of Jim Nelford from the collection.