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By John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Contributor

They have changed the 18th hole at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in recent years. The slight dogleg-left par 4 still plays to 440 yards. It still plays uphill and the green is still surrounded by the condominiums that are used as corporate boxes during tournament week. They added a small pond to the left of the landing area a few years ago that puts a little more pressure on the drive.

The 18th hole at TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas isn' the same without Byron Nelson. (Grayson/WireImage)

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This week, however, the hole is significantly different. It is different for what is not there. The Dallas stop on the PGA TOUR has honored Byron Nelson for four decades. Every year he sat in an area to the right of the 18th green, near the scoring area, and watched the winner on Sunday close out the tournament that bears his name.

The list of winners has included the game's best, all of whom came to honor the game's greatest gentleman. Lord Byron was there when Jack Nicklaus won back to back in the early 1970s. He was there, too, when Tom Watson made it three in a row from 1978-80.

The modern greats like Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh have all hoisted trophies in the presence of greatness on this 18th green.

All of those players have expressed their appreciation and admiration for the man that Byron Nelson was. Even with his incredible records, many of which will never be duplicated, what others remember most about him was his generosity of spirit. Is there any greater legacy?

In addition to congratulating the victors each year, Mr. Nelson was there to thank the TOUR's rank-and-file players, as well. He was frequently in place beside the 18th green throughout the week.

I remember missing the cut by a shot with a bogey on the final hole back in the late 1990s. I took a little extra time in the scoring tent to cool down and to let my playing partners pay their respects to the tournament's namesake.

I went out to thank Mr. Nelson for having me but he stole my line. He thanked me for being there which, considering the way I was feeling, was too great a kindness. I explained to him that I would not be around for the weekend but had just wanted to say hello.

We spent the next 10 minutes discussing the golf swing. I was fighting the lefts. Mr. Nelson asked some pointed questions about my golf swing. We discussed body rotation and impact position. It was quite probably the only time in my career where I missed the cut on a Friday and went directly to the driving range. After the conversation with the game's greatest statesman I was inspired. I hit balls and worked on my game for the next couple of hours, washing away the disappointment of another missed cut.

Mr. Nelson treated everyone with respect and generosity. Every TOUR player who was fortunate enough to approach the 18th green in his presence will remember it as a highlight. For me it is a memory that I will cherish forever.

This is the first year since 1967 that Mr. Nelson won't be greenside at the home hole. He passed away last September, however, his legacy and spirit are very much alive this week. I think it only fitting that the PGA TOUR event that bears his name has given more dollars to charity over the past 40 years than any other.

The feeling at No. 18 this week is not of sadness. How can you be sad for a man who lived so long and gave so much? The sadness we feel is for ourselves and his absence. Still, the 18th hole is different now at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. It will never be the same.