Nick Carlson will tee it up this week in the MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood Estate, fresh from an impressive debut on the HotelPlanner Tour.
The American played in the final group on Sunday of the SDC Open before finishing in a share of 12th place to mark the latest chapter of a story that just two years ago saw working nine-to-five as a substitute teacher.
The 28-year-old had a life-changing week at DP World Tour Final Stage Qualifying School last November, and gained HotelPlanner Tour status after making the 72-hole cut.
Ahead of the opening round at Pecanwood, we caught up with Nick to find out a bit more about his journey to date, how he navigated all three rounds of Qualifying School and what he made of his first HotelPlanner Tour start.
Where it started
“I turned pro in 2019 when I graduated from college and played maybe two mini tour events and missed the cut in both. After Covid, I played some more mini-tour events. They didn’t go amazingly but didn’t go badly, and then I played Korn Ferry Qualifying School where I missed by three shots at First Stage out in Utah. During that winter in 2021, I was trying to get a bit of money together, but after someone who promised me the world let me down, I was back to square one, but my game was getting a lot better.”
Work away from golf
“During Covid, I did some delivery work to make some money. I was substitute teaching as well which I loved, right from Kindergarden age to seniors in high school. It was good because if it was nice out, I could take a half day and play golf. I was saving up to play mini tour events in the summer. At that point I realised I actually needed a job and I took a golf coaching job in Springfield, Ohio. It didn’t pay a lot, but it was a monthly payment.
“I didn’t want to give up. I figured if I took a job like that, that it was from September to May, and then I had from May to September to play tournaments and see where my game was at.”
A shift in focus
“After the first year of coaching, I shot a 62-63 on back-to-back days playing with the kids I was coaching. They said ‘what are you doing? You need to be chasing this.’ I said ‘guys, I have no money’, and they said, ‘we’ll figure something out.’ If it wasn’t for two of the kids on the team, I wouldn’t be here in South Africa. They raised some money, helped get me a sponsor, and helped with the support that I needed.
“That summer of 23 went really well, and I signed up for DP World Tour Q-School. I played some good golf in Sweden in First Stage, then went to Second Stage and I didn’t miss by much. I didn’t think I played well at all, and I had that realisation that I’m either going to get a full-time job, or I’m going to go back to Q-School and do it the year after.”
Breakthrough win
“One of the guys on the golf team I coached had a Trackman simulator, so I entered the NEXT Golf Tour. Low-and-behold, I won one and earned $50,000. From that point I had freedom in my head. I didn’t need to worry for a while.
“I didn’t need to worry about affording golf equipment either. I had a great summer of mini tour golf, and every time I stepped to tee it up, I felt like I was going to play really well. For some reason, I’m still feeling like that now.”
2024 DP World Tour Qualifying School
“At First Stage, on day three I shot the round of the day on day by a couple of shots. That reassured me that I was doing the right things, and that I was a good player. I finished third that week and made a little money too.
“I got to Second Stage and it was a golf course I’d seen the year before, so I knew what to expect. It was a tough first day and I was right on the cut line. I had a really good second day but after a poor third round I was looking at flights home. I shot eight under on the last day and I was going to Final Stage.
“At Final Stage, then the stress came. I didn’t feel comfortable with my swing that week for whatever reason, but had a lot of people rooting for me and that ultimately played a big part. I had my fiancé on the bag as well which was helpful too.
“To make the four-round cut, I needed to play the last nine holes two under par. I made a seven-footer on my 17th to do that, and then I knew I had a place to play this year. It was like a dream come true. You always want somewhere to play, and I always told myself that all I needed was an opportunity.”
A first HotelPlanner Tour start
“I turned up last week and there were giraffe and zebra running around. I was wondering where I was. All of a sudden it was Thursday and I was five under through nine holes, and I knew I could play on this tour and that I was fine. To play well and make the cut was all I was trying to do, and then I found myself in the final group on Sunday which was mind-boggling.
“It was a crazy experience. It was the best start I could’ve had because I’ve turned up this week and some of the players have said ‘well played’ to me, which is making me feel more at ease and more at home.”
Week two in South Africa
“Whatever happens this week, I’ll chalk it up as a great two-week experience. The fairways are pure, so it’s nice to be dealing with that. The course is great. It’s a Jack Nicklaus course, and it looks like a course that I’ve played a lot of times in Florida. I feel like I’m in the US a little bit, apart from the mountain views, so it feels nice. It would be great to play well of course, but I’m just enjoying it here, seeing a different part of the country.”
