First working as a Bible salesman, following Billy Sunday, he soon turned his natural talent for problem-solving to use by becoming a freelance consultant, and efficiency expert.
Lew Worsham provided exceptional drama by sinking his wedge approach for an eagle two from just over 100 yards on the par-4 final hole, to edge Chandler Harper by one stroke, claiming a $25,000 first prize (then a world record), along with a further 25 $1,000 exhibitions to promote May's company.
[4] May was the first to offer big-money tournaments, first to allow club members to use golf carts, first to provide grandstands, and first to use radios to keep spectators up to date about what was happening elsewhere on the course.
[7] May is listed as one of the 100 most influential persons to the game of golf, for being the first to broadcast, nationwide and live, a PGA Tour tournament.
Live television coverage of golf's important events greatly spurred interest in the sport, leading to constant increases in prize money.
From the early 1940s to the late 1950s, May offered nearly $2 million in prize money at his events, far outdistancing any other golf promoter during this period.