A small but vibrant sample of stories from the life of Lyn Nelson, collected before her recent “celebration of life,” revealed her passion for golf. But it equally showcased the size and shape of her devotion to her friends and family.
Nelson, whose groundbreaking and distinguished career in the game included a handful of enviable leadership jobs, died unexpectedly at home on December 9, 2022, at age 63.
Conversations with friends and business associates gave keen insight into why she was so successful in positions such as the first female CEO of the Northern California Golf Association (where she oversaw the highly lauded renovation of Poppy Hills) and director of golf development, golf property manager and general manager of Half Moon Bay Golf Links.
The anecdotes, such as her signature greeting, “Hey, you,” also spoke eloquently of her genuine care for her fellow human beings and her pair of yellow Labradors, Alister and MacKenzie.
“She did all those big things, but in the small ways she always made a difference,” said Katherine Marren, director of instruction at Quail Lodge in Carmel. “She would always squeeze out a few extra minutes out of the day for that phone call, text or email.”
"She was a powerhouse at work with family and friends, and she was a trailblazer in the golf industry with a caring and engaging personality.”
Katherine Marren
During Nelson’s time as general manager of Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, Marren worked part time as an instructor and was a housemate.
“We began as adversaries, but I was amazed at how quickly you could become friends, even best friends with her,” said Marren, who met Nelson 25-plus years ago playing in the Northern California Women’s Cup matches. “I had a front-row seat living with her. She was a powerhouse at work with family and friends, and she was a trailblazer in the golf industry with a caring and engaging personality.”
Born in Burlingame, California, Nelson was an all-sports athlete but enrolled at San Jose State on a softball scholarship. When a skiing injury ended her softball career she pivoted to golf and was a member of the Spartans golf team with future World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster.
Renowned as a long driver and great putter, Nelson, with short-game help from Marren, advanced to the semifinals of the 2002 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, losing to eventual winner Kathy Hartwiger. The following year, Nelson reached the quarterfinals in the Women’s Mid-Am. The holder of the course records (Old and Ocean) at Half Moon Bay, Nelson was the vice president of the California Golf Alliance and served on a number of USGA committees.
Most recently, she was the chair of the player services committee at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open at The Olympic Club, which considering her life MO was more than appropriate.
Jim O’Neal, the head golf professional at Meadow Club in Fairfax, California, pointed to the rare quality that set Nelson apart.
“When you were talking to her, she was fully engaged; you were her sole focus,” said O’Neal, who was hired by Nelson at Palo Alto Hills early in his career. “When people have that ability, it makes that person work harder. They get more things done.”
O’Neal, who worked under Nelson’s leadership for five years, did not blink an eye about having a female boss.
“I knew it was unusual at that time to have her as my boss,” O’Neal said. “But she handled it so well. She was always amazingly prepared.”
Dede Braun-Moriarty, an PGA and LPGA Class A instructor at Presidio Golf Course and past president of the Northern California PGA, doubled down on O’Neal’s assessment of Nelson’s work.
“She’s the only female to have been CEO of the NCGA. That’s huge,” said Braun-Moriarty, who remembers losing to Nelson on the 16th hole at Pebble Beach in a past California Women’s Amateur. “It is interesting to be a woman in that role from the working side. You have got to have a thick skin and make sure you do a good job. Lyn did that.”
Braun, a San Francisco native, importantly cited Nelson’s work as director of golf development and property manager for the San Francisco City and County Parks and Recreation Department. She was tapped to that position by the late Mayor Ed Lee, who shared Nelson’s passion for golf. In 2014, Nelson was also appointed to the San Francisco Women’s Golf Council as a founding member.
She also served on the following boards, among others: Harding Park Women’s Golf Club (restarted the group), Navy SEAL Foundation and The First Tee of San Francisco. Nelson also served as the starter at the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open and the Safeway Open at Silverado.
“Lyn had a commanding presence but with dignity. I cannot express and do justice to what she meant to me as a friend and a mentor. And, what she meant to the golf community.”
Shelley O'Keefe
Through her work with the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, she met Shelley O’Keefe, the organization’s tour manager for San Francisco, Monterey and the Central Valley.
“Lyn had a commanding presence but with dignity,” said O’Keefe, who caddied for her sister, Jill McGill, in winning the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2022. “I cannot express and do justice to what she meant to me as a friend and a mentor. And, what she meant to the golf community.”
O’Keefe and her husband, Kelly, who adopted Nelson’s dogs, also remembers Nelson’s all-in mentality. “I asked her to volunteer for U.S. Kids Golf events, and she did, and she brought along another 15 (volunteers).”
Nelson, as expected, had a massive network of golf friends in the Bay Area, where she belonged to The Olympic Club and befriended Annemarie Conroy.
Conroy and Nelson shared a locker, and Lyn’s nameplate will remain forever. Conroy says: “People can come by and touch Lyn’s plate for help with their swing.”
They played a slew of golf together, and Conroy was always impressed by Nelson’s popularity.
“She did things quietly with great ability by being humble but incredibly competent,” Conroy said. “All of her what I call seedlings were in positions all over the Bay Area. When she played there, people would run up and hug Lyn. All of her former employees would find her on the course to hug her because they were so happy she was there.”
Conroy and other Olympic Club members organized The Lyn Nelson Golf Endowment for Women, Youth and Girls to follow her legacy by bringing her favorite sport to San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The Nelson family prefers donations to honor Lyn go to that fund.
Well played, indeed.
E-MAIL PETE
Top: Lyn Nelson made quarterfinals of the 2003 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur a year after reaching the semifinals.
john mummert, usga