On the night before he competed in the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club, golfing legend and PGA champion Larry Nelson was honored before an audience of his peers, family and friends at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. After receiving the PGA Distinguished Service Award—the highest honor the PGA grants—the humble champ said to the audience: “Someone long ago told the story of a turtle perched on top of a fence post, and how he didn’t get there by himself,” Nelson said. “I feel like the turtle, but I don’t know which one is more surprised: me, or the turtle.” The awards ceremony was punctuated by country star and PGA Distinguished Service Award-winner Vince Gill, and was followed by a warm reception. Photos by Austin Holt