Nelson was Behrend’s most decorated men’s golfer from 2006-09. He won four tournaments over his career, including the AMCC Individual Championship in 2008. In 2009, Nelson led the Lions to the AMCC Championship and was named AMCC Golfer of the Year. He is a three-time All-Conference selection, earning first-team honors his junior and senior year. Nelson was named to the AMCC All-Sportsmanship Team three times and was a member of Chi Alpha Sigma.
After arriving at Behrend, Nelson quickly established his presence as one of the top golfers on the team. He helped the Lions take third place overall at the AMCC Championships and carded an overall score of 174 (85-89). His sophomore campaign, Nelson shave nine strokes off his score from the 2006 AMCC Championships to finish 19th overall with a 165. The team placed seventh and he earned Second-Team All-AMCC honors.
Nelson’s golf exploits continued to grow his junior year. He won four collegiate golf tournaments, including a pair in 2008 and two more in 2009. Nelson led the blue and white to a second-place finish at the AMCC Championships at the Toms Run Golf Resort in Blairsville, PA. He carded a first round of 73 to give the Behrend Lions the second-place position after one round of play. Nelson followed with a 72 second round to be crowned the AMCC Individual Champion (145), while leading his team to take runners up at the championships. In addition to individual-medalist honors, he was named to the All-AMCC First Team.
Nelson capped his senior year by earning AMCC Golfer of the Year and receiving All-AMCC First-Team honors once again. Nelson tied for fifth at the AMCC Championships with a 155 (75-80) and the Lions claimed the AMCC Championship on a tiebreaker.
Nelson remained a successful golfer and won the Conewango Valley Country Club Championships four times and was a three-time Corry Country Club Scratch Tournament winner.