Previous Lute Salute Features

TACOMA, Wash. - Throughout the rest of the semester, GoLutes.com will profile the Pacific Lutheran University senior student-athletes involved in spring sports that had their seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's installment features PLU men's golf student-athlete Alex Nelson.

Alex Nelson fell in love with the sport of golf, and plans to teach golf after graduation this spring.
 

Hometown: North Bend, Wash.

College Stats: Best Round: 70 Career Average: 77.6 19-20 Average: 75.4

A Business major, Nelson couldn't even name a favorite memory from his athletic career as a Lute. There were too many good ones, but finally he settled for, "spending time with my teammates is something that I will cherish forever."
 
His time with his teammates at PLU were formative, and played a part in his decision to instill his passion for golf in others. Nelson believes his teammates and coaches have been the most influential people in his life throughout his PLU career.
 
"My coaches have not only furthered my understanding of my sport, but furthered my understanding about what is important in life," Nelson said. "My teammates have provided me with a family that could never be replaced."
 
Alongside athletics, Nelson was also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and intramural sports. He believes athletics have prepared him for life after graduation because being successful in a sport is similar to being successful in life.
 
"You are faced with challenges and you have to be willing to accept them and overcome them," Nelson said. "Preparation is rewarded handsomely, and you pay the price for a lack of preparation. You learn how to work with other people and be a part of a team."
 
On the golf course, the North Bend, Washington native helped the Lutes win two Northwest Conference titles, and make two trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Nelson appeared in 21 events for the Lutes over the past four seasons, carding a career 77.6 average across the 45 rounds he played. Nelson logged four top 10 finishes and was having his best season this academic year, carrying a 75.4 average when the season was suspended.
 
"Alex has come such a long way," said Head Coach Kris Swanson. "His first-year he traveled to every event and was a large part of our success in going to nationals that season. The next year we had a much larger squad and he didn't see as much playing time. I know it was difficult on him but what impressed me is he made a conscious effort to get better, to be more positive, and be more introspective. He took an active role in SAAC, worked on his fitness, and his golf game. All of these things took a lot of dedication and hard work. From my standpoint, Alex working on these fundamentals of school, life, and sport, has made him into a gracious, responsible, hard-working, respected young man. I think the world of him and I appreciate the effort he made to be a positive leader to those around him."
 
As Nelson ends his life as a Lute athlete, he is looking forward to inspiring the next generation of golfers.