Coach Dennis Nelson took on the role of head coach for both women’s and men’s golf at Virginia Wesleyan in July 2020. Nelson coached the Hampton University men’s and women’s golf teams for four years prior to joining VWU.
Under Nelson’s coaching, the Hampton Pirates saw improvements year after year in both the classroom and on the course. In their 2016-17 season, the women’s team won the Delaware State Tournament and the men finished in the top three in the Savannah State and Maryland Eastern Shore fall tournaments. The following season, the Pirates men’s team had three top-three finishes while the women posted four top threes.
Nelson is known for his experience and knowledge in both playing and coaching making Virginia Wesleyan golfers optimistic for the upcoming seasons. “He knows a lot about the game, he’s a good golfer, an easy guy to follow and he actually plays with us, so we learn and trust him more,” said senior golfer Chandler Scott. “He’s just an awesome dude, he’s definitely gonna put the golf team back in contention in the ODAC for sure,” Scott said.
“I just love being around young golf players and being able to pass on what I know, not only with golf with life in general,” Nelson said. “Everything is so different now and I know we will be well prepared in all aspects of the game. We’re practicing all the small stuff, making it second nature so we will be ready come spring,” Nelson said.
The women’s golf team at Virginia Wesleyan has only been in place for six years, since then Nelson has now been able to come in and be a leader for them. “I believe he’s going to be an amazing asset to the program as a whole. As a junior, I wish that I could have had Coach Nelson come in earlier in my career, but I’m grateful and eager to see how the program progresses,” golfer Ashlee Bobzin said.
Nelson was pleased with his transition to VWU, saying “I’m just so glad to be a Marlin.”
Antoinette Adan
ajadan@vwu.edu
