We’re in it for the long game
For over 100 years, the Salesmanship Club of Dallas has dedicated its efforts to support education and therapeutic programs for youth and their families in underserved areas of our community. Through the work of Momentous Institute powered by the Salesmanship Club, we believe that prioritizing education and social and emotional health will improve the ability of children to reach their full potential. Over 90% of the children and families served by our Momentous School and therapeutic services are people of color. Our engagement in this community gives us a special responsibility to not remain silent in the face of inequity.
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas unequivocally stands in solidarity with the Black community and others against racism and injustice. We stand for racial equality and inclusion, and together with Momentous Institute will steadfastly bring experiences that cause racial trauma into the light. We stand with our members, employees, supporters and the children and families we serve who are working peacefully to remove the barriers that the Black community continues to face. We also value and support the overwhelming majority of police who are committed to protecting and serving our community in a just and equitable manner.
The most meaningful action we can take as a transformational organization is to continue to be a force of genuine service – striving to create a better community where people are judged solely by the content of their character. This embodies the heart of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. We know there is more work to be done by us and by others, and we are committed. We strive to provide an environment that promotes inclusion and values equity for all, where everyone can live and serve side by side with compassion and dignity.
Salesmanship Club of Dallas – Board of Directors
Patton C. Chapman Michael George
Bruce W. Hunt Michael S. Lewis
Peter A. Lodwick James K. McAuley
Patrick McEvoy, Jr. Mike McKinley
Joseph Merritt Martin C. Peck
Michael R. Sweet Frank Swingle
Steven W. VanAmburgh William H. Vanderstraaten
W. Kelvin Walker William C. Wilshusen
John M. Yeaman
To read Momentous Institute’s statement, click here.
Our History
- 1920
- 1921
- 1945
- 1957
- 1965
- 1968
- 1976
- 1983
- 1987
- 1988
- 1990
- 1997
- 2000
- 2003
- 2004
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2011
- 2012
- 2014
- 2015
- 2018
- 2020
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1920
Salesmanship Club of Dallas is founded with a mission to transform childrens’ lives. First Club President Woodall Rodgers sets the tone for the Club: “Do good, without being stuffy about it.”
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1921
The Club opens a summer recreational camp for orphan children.
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1945
The Club opens the nation’s first year-round residential therapeutic camp in Woodland Springs.
Known as the Greatest Year in Golf – Byron Nelson wins 18 tournaments, with 11 consecutive victories.
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1957
As the growing city of Dallas encroaches Woodland Springs, the Club moves its camp to Hawkins, Texas.
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1965
The camp’s success (documented in the book, Wilderness Road, written by Camp Director Campbell Loughmiller) inspires the creation of similar camps throughout the country and internationally.
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1968
Byron Nelson lends his name to the golf tournament hosted and operated by Salesmanship Club of Dallas, creating the Byron Nelson Golf Classic at Preston Trail Golf Club. All tournament proceeds benefited the Club’s therapeutic camp and programs.
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1976
The Club opens a new residential treatment camp for girls near Palestine, Texas.
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1983
The Club makes its first venture into education and opens a day treatment school for students, and invests in research and evaluation.
The tournament moves to the TPC Four Seasons Resort Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving.
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1987
In an effort to help more kids and families, the Club begins offering family therapy services and relocated its offices to Oak Cliff.
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1988
With GTE as the first title sponsor, the event becomes the GTE Byron Nelson Classic.
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1990
The Club’s camps for boys and girls consolidate at the Hawkins location.
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1997
As a furthest upstream effort, the Club opens a lab school for kids growing up in poverty that prioritizes social emotional health.
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2000
Following a successful capital campaign, the Club’s Oak Cliff campus, including the Meadows Family Center and J. Erik Jonsson Community School, is dedicated.
With GTE’s merger with Bell Atlantic, the tournament becomes the Verizon Byron Nelson Classic.
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2003
The Club signs EDS as the tournament’s new title sponsor, launching the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
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2004
In response to the changing needs of kids and families, the Club ends the residential treatment program at the Hawkins’ camp but continues to be used by kids served through Momentous School and our therapeutic service. Their visits — including day trips and overnight, extended stays — are focused on teaching them about science, wildlife and teamwork.
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2006
Tournament namesake and golf legend Byron Nelson passes away.
The Club opens a second campus in northwest Dallas on Harry Hines. The Harry Hines campus provides a range of therapeutic services to kids and families.
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2007
The Club surpasses the $100 million mark in total dollars raised for its programs.
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2008
HP acquires EDS and assumes title sponsorship, yielding the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
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2011
Following a successful capital campaign, the Club purchases its northwest campus and the building was christened the Constantin Center.
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2012
The Club presents its inaugural Changing the Odds Conference aimed at sharing strategies with educators and mental health professionals from across the country.
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2014
In an effort to expand the organization’s model of excellence in social emotional health to reach children and families nationwide, the Club renames its programs Momentous Institute.
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2015
With AT&T as the new title sponsor, the AT&T Byron Nelson brings its total money raised for Momentous Institute to more than $143 million.
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2018
After 35 years, the AT&T Byron Nelson is moved from TPC Four Seasons in Irving to Trinity Forest Golf Club in Southern Dallas.
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2020
The Salesmanship Club of Dallas celebrates its 100th anniversary of transforming children’s lives.
