MEMPHIS, Tenn — Walking into the second floor room of Dave and Nancy Wells home, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of golf memorabilia.
The first item that Dave saved, a signed photograph.
"Cary Middlecoff, won three majors. One of the best golfers to come out of Memphis Tennessee," Dave said proudly.
He received the photo when he was nine-years-old. The next item, a green book that reads "Arnold Palmer's Scrapbook" in gold letters, he opens it to the first page.
"I had a chance to play with Arnold Palmer down at Bay Hill and I took the book out there and look at that," he says, pointing to handwritten script.
It's Palmer's autograph in incredible penmanship. It's his most valuable possession, he says, given to him by Middlecoff, a Memphis native and one of his favorite golfers.
Dave could go on for hours showing off his collection. He's spent the better part of his life collecting golf memorabilia from Memphis and beyond.
Dave met Nancy on a Memphis golf course in the 1960s. They married and in 1999, moved to their home on TPC Southwind. It was there that Dave made the conscious decision to start gathering and curating a "golf museum" in their home.
"I think the accumulation of things is our love for the game, the game of golf," Dave said. "I think Arnold Palmer hit it on the head when he said it's very important, because the most important part is who you meet on the golf course."
A signed golf ball here, a magazine there. At one point, he walks up to a collection of golf clubs. He informs that the clubs were purchased by Nancy's grandfather in 1924. They are 100 years old this year.
When August rolls around and the FedEx St. Jude Championship descends upon TPC Southwind, the couple eagerly take in the action from an enviable spot. Their home sits right off the tee at hole number one.
"We're both golfers so we enjoy the sport very much and so being able to see the best at it from a very close distance is second to none," Dave said as he watches golf pro Max Homa warm up from the Wells balcony.
"We have friends over. They enjoy being here, watching and the whole entertainment part of the tournament," said Nancy. "That's pretty much what we do during that week."
The Wells will enjoy 25 years of watching the tournament from the comfort of their home, but they're quick to get on the course as well. Nancy has volunteered every year since they moved to TPC Southwind.
Part of their memorabilia collection includes volunteer pins she's received over the years. This year, the FedEx St. Jude Championship granted her a special pin commemorating her 25 years of volunteer service.
"The first time I walked with a threesome of golfers the whole round and kept their score," Nancy said. "I liked it, so every year I just decided if they wanted me, I’d do it again."
Golf has given the Wells incredible memories and experiences, like Dave playing a pro-am with Julius "Dr. J" Irving of the NBA.
"My old playing partner," Dave jokes.
But asking either what their favorite piece of their museum is or their favorite FedEx St. Jude Championship memory, they will quickly tell you that it's not a signed magazine or ball that sticks with them. It's the people they have met and the relationships they have formed along the way.
"(The tournament) means a lot to the city of Memphis, to Shelby County outstanding, to St Jude, but all of the friendships that come from the sport of golf," Dave said. "You see people, maybe you don't see them but once a year, but the tournament brings you together. … Golf is such a sport that brings everybody together. That’s the value of it."
Dave began writing articles on golf some 30 years ago. His collection of articles, memories and history can be found in a book, "Un-fore-gettable," put together by his son and granddaughter. It can be found on Amazon.