Courtesy of Ashland Athletic Communications
Nelson Hired As Eagle Women's Golf Head Coach
As announced by Director of Athletics Al King on Monday (July 23) afternoon, Audrey Nelson has been hired as head coach of Ashland University's women's golf program.
"One of the most satisfying aspects of being in athletic administration is helping someone make their way in this profession," King said. "This will be Audrey's first collegiate head coaching position. She's experienced collegiate golf as a player and been involved as a part-time assistant. This is an opportunity she's craved, the chance to coach her own team and put her stamp on a program.
"In talking to people who know Audrey, the one trait that was mentioned repeatedly was her ability to teach the game. She grew up around the game, and has experienced success as a player. She has some interesting perspectives, and I think those can benefit our student-athletes."
Said Nelson, "I do know the team has had some success in the past. It's a good program. I'm excited to be a part of that, and to see where the future takes them."
Nelson's first collegiate head coaching position follows two years (2016-18) as head coach of Big Walnut High School's girls golf team. Her instructing resume includes stints at Champions Golf Course and Westerville Golf Center (2018), LPGA Golf Clinics for Women (2017), Bent Tree Golf Club (2016-17), Ohio Girls Golf Foundation (2016-17), Olentangy Youth Athletic Association (2013-14, 2017), Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (2014-15), and Jumpstart Sports (2012). Nelson also was a substitute coach for Columbus State Community College at a tournament during the 2012 season.
As a collegiate player, Nelson competed at both CSCC (2009-11) and Bryan College (2011-13), earning five medalist finishes, 15 top-five showings, Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) women's golfer of the week awards in back-to-back weeks, and two appearances at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships.
Nelson also earned medalist finishes at the 2012 USGA Women's National Publinks Qualifier and the 2015 Northern Ohio PGA PAT.
She takes over an Ashland women's golf program that has made 10 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II postseason (2009-18). The Eagles have played in the NCAA Division II Championships three times as a team (2011, 2013, 2015), and last season, Krystal Hu, entering her junior campaign in 2018-19, qualified for the Championships as an individual.
"Our women's golf program has been a consistent winner," said King. "This program has been nurtured by previous coaches, specifically Kory Oslie and Andrew Bolinger. Those two did an exceptional job in building the program in all aspects. It will be interesting to see Audrey connect with our student-athletes and see what ideas she brings to the team."
Nelson added, "It's going to be exciting. Besides getting to know the girls, getting to know the course (at Ashland Golf Club), that will be exciting. Seeing what their goals are, seeing what they want to do with their game. It's really just getting to know the girls, and what they expect of themselves."
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North Announced As New Men's Golf Head Coach
Ashland University director of athletics Al King announced Friday (July 13) the hiring of Dennis North as head coach of the men's golf program.
North currently serves as the head golf professional at the Ashland Golf Club, the home course for both of AU's golf programs.
"I believe we're getting a highly skilled teacher in Dennis," King said. "Our players are welcoming him with open arms, they've gotten to know him over the past year with his work at the Ashland Golf Club. They have confidence in him, they trust him. That says a lot about Dennis and what he brings. I believe the profile of this program will expand with Dennis' arrival. He has a number of things he wants to try to grow the program and we're excited to watch that."
"I am really excited to have this opportunity. It's a perfect fit," said North. "There's a tradition here and we want to keep that tradition going. We want to continue to build this and make it bigger and better than it's ever been."
North has had the chance to work with AU's players as they have trained at the Ashland Golf Club for the last year.
"They're just as excited as I am," said North. "I've known a lot of them for a few years, and I have relationships with them, especially the seniors more than the underclassmen. I know they're a very talented group with the seniors coming back and some pretty good underclassmen. Hopefully we can get a little more skill level out of them and get them shooting some good tournament scores."
North served as the head golf professional at Riviera Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio before coming to the Ashland Golf Club where he is charged with running the golf operations. In his first full year, the Club was named the eighth-best course in the nation and first in Ohio by Golf Advisor among public golf courses that charge $50 or less per round.
He was previously the head golf professional at Deer Creek Golf Course in Mt. Sterling, Ohio and spent nine years as an assistant professional at Columbus Country Club.
The Hamilton, Ohio native served in the U.S. Army from 1991-95.
The AU men's golf program tied for fourth as a team at the GLIAC Championships and rising senior Austin Kondratick tied for third individually, earning All-GLIAC first team honors.
