June 29, 2017
David Nelson is a Reno native and graduated of Wooster High School and the University of Nevada. He played for the Wolf Pack men's golf team from 1975-78 and was a part of two West Coast Athletic Conference Championships.
How did you end up at the University of Nevada?
When I graduated from Wooster High School in 1974, I met coach John Legarza (men’s golf coach) and he offered me the chance to try out for the team. I was fortunate enough to make the team as a freshman and played four years there.
What did you think of your time in Reno?
I was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital and having grown up in Reno all my life, I love it. Even though I’ve seen a lot of changes through the years, Reno still has that small hometown feel to it. The people here are genuinely nice and friendly.
How did your time at Nevada help you?
I definitely think my time at Nevada helped open up a number of doors for me in the business world early on. Being on the golf team and having the success that we did as a team (our team won the conference championship three years in a row) went a long way.
What was your experience like on the professional circuit?
In 1982 I qualified for the U.S. Open as an Amateur. The U.S. Open was at Pebble Beach that year. What an incredible experience. My dad had caddied for me in both of the qualifyings to get there. To be able to share that experience with my dad and the rest of my family was great. My wife (Aleda) was four months pregnant with our first child so she could only go 18 holes a day in the practice rounds and I played 36 holes for three days in a row. Later that year I tried qualifying for the PGA Tour but missed. My professional career in golf was short lived. I got my amateur status back the next year and I’ve played amateur golf ever since. I’ve been very fortunate to have qualified for a number of USGA events, including the USGA State Team Championship where I’ve played with some former Wolf Pack golfers (Mark Gilmartin, Dean Menante and most recently the current head coach Jacob Wilner). I still play in most of the Northern Nevada amateur events along with our state amateur tournaments. But, on a national level, I’m in the senior division now. In 2015 I qualified for the British Senior Amateur Championship at Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland. My wife Aleda and I went over and had a fantastic time. I placed in a tie for 18th.
What’s your current profession?
Having a passion for the game of golf, I’m the President of Hole-in-One U.S.A. My dad gave me some very sage advice when I was younger. He said that if you can ever earn a living in something that you have a passion for you’re way ahead of the game. So, I feel very lucky in what I do.
What do you think of the growth of the Nevada campus?
The amount of growth with all of the new buildings is amazing. It’s almost unrecognizable to when I first stepped on campus in 1974. It’s great to see the success and growth of the University.
