John Nelson, director of instruction at the Country Club of Coral Springs, plays golf on the professional level on the PGA of America Club Professional Championships.
By David Volz
What does your off-season working program consist of?
Nelson: “During the off season, I do some light weight lifting, I jump rope, and work out with elastic bands.”
How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a professional athlete?
Nelson: “I was about 17 when I knew I wanted to be a professional golfer. I played on the McArthur High School (in Hollywood) golf team and I played on the Auburn University golf team.”
What does your diet consist of?
Nelson: “I eat healthy. I eat a lot of fish, chicken, and a lot of carbohydrates. I also eat a lot of vegetables. I eat small nutritional snacks throughout the day. Hydration is very important. Eating properly helps me stay focused, sharp and alert.”
What other business ventures are you involved in?
Nelson: “I am licensed to sell real estate in Florida. So I am involved in real estate on the side.”
What has been the high point of your career?
Nelson: “I won the South Florida PGA Section Championship in 1996. Another high point was when I won the South Florida Senior Section PGA Championship in 2009.”
What would you say is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a professional athlete?
Nelson: “I have learned the importance of mental toughness and determination. You have to maintain a positive attitude when playing golf. If you make a mistake, you can’t dwell on it.”
What are your plans when you finish playing sports?
Nelson: “I want to share my knowledge of golf and help other players develop knowledge of the game.”
If you could change one thing about golf, what would it be?
Nelson: “I would like to see team competition in golf. Like Miami has the Dolphins for professional football, I would like to see a city or state have a golf team with twelve players who would travel around the nation and compete against teams from other areas. You might have a match between Florida and New York in professional golf.”
Who was your favorite coach?
Nelson: “My favorite was Joe Gerlack. He is now deceased, but he was a PGA professional golf instructor. He instilled in me great fundamentals that have lasted for my career.”
What has been your most memorable game?
Nelson: “In winning the PGA Stableford Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, I shot a course setting record of 62. On that day, I had ten birdies and no bogies. That was in 1998.”
Are you involved in charity work?
Nelson: “I am involved in fundraising for junior golf in South Florida.”
How do you handle the distractions of the sports world?
Nelson: “I am able to switch my mind to be in the present.”
Who is your biggest supporter?
Nelson: “My family.”
What are your personal goals as a professional athlete?
Nelson: “I have accomplished my goals. I was inducted into the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame in 2006.”
How do you spend time away from sports?
Nelson: “I like to go fishing.”
What advice would you give kids wanting to be a professional golfer?
Nelson: “Learn the proper fundamentals of golf and then have fun while you play.”
When you finish your career, how do you want to be remembered?
Nelson: “I want to be remembered as someone who did the best I could to share my talents and experience with other people.”
John Nelson is the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Class A
Teaching Professional who is the Director of Instruction at the Golf Academy
located at the County Club of Coral Springs, Coral Springs, Fl. 954-752-4500 x 204, email: jnelson@ccofcs.com, Web page: www.ccofcs.com.
Nelson prepares to hit a golf ball at the Coral Springs Country Club.
