After a strong career on Varsity Boys’ Golf, Edina High School senior Owen Nielsen has committed to play the sport at Williams College in Massachusetts after speaking with many collegiate coaches.

“Williams has a nice golf course and I really like the environment there…I decided that was the best fit for me,” Nielsen said about his recent commitment.

Golf is an important part of Nielsen’s family, and he started playing when he was only four years old. “I didn’t really take [golf] seriously until around eighth grade. Then I started playing tournaments two years ago, and I’ve been playing ever since,” he said.

After walking away from last season with a state championship, he plans to continue the 2023 season with a similarly tight-knit team dynamic. “Some older players on our team last year, like Jack Wetzel, helped me learn how to connect with my teammates and make [golf] fun. That’s really what helped our team do well last year, we all just connected together,” Nielsen said.

Before heading off to Williams next fall, Nielsen has one more golf season on the EHS team this spring and will serve as a captain. “Owen is everything you’d want for a captain and a player in our program…He arrives early, stays late, works on his game outside of practice, on the weekends, all year round. Everything he can do to become a great player,” Varsity Boys’ Golf coach Mike McCollow said. “His college coaches and teammates are going to love him and quickly see and appreciate all the things he brings to Hornet Golf.”

As Nielsen approaches his final year on the high school team, his strong work ethic and enthusiasm for competition will contribute to his success as an adult athlete. “There’s always a way to get better, and even the best players in the world are never not working on something,” he said.