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Aaron Monson boosts UIndy golf fortunes
The University of Indianapolis has had some outstanding golf teams in past years, and a Perry Meridian High School graduate — now a freshman — is making the Greyhounds a tough team to beat in the Midwest.
Coached by Brent Nicoson, PGA golf professional at Dye’s Walk Country Club, the Division II UIndy team stroked a total score of 550, winning the title by 24 strokes over Ferris State.
Monson recorded an 11 under par for the two rounds, defeating Kyle Leach of Bellarmine University by four strokes. The five-member team set a two-round school scoring record of -26 on the Hawkshead Golf Course fairways.
The Hounds, as a team, are 14 strokes under par through three tournaments this fall.
This is the third year for 37-year-old Nicoson to coach the linksmen, all of whom are from Indiana. Nicoson, team captain of the 1994 UIndy team and a 1990 Beech Grove High School graduate, is a third generation UIndy coach. Angus Nicoson, his grandfather, was athletic director and basketball coach at UIndy, previously known as Indiana Central, for 30 years. His father, Dan Nicoson, was an assistant football coach when the team, in 1975, became the only gridiron team in school history to make the playoffs.
As for Monson, his scoring average thus far is 71.6. Senior Justin Hueber of Fort Wayne, who intends to enter the professional ranks next year, is just a shade ahead of Monson with a 69.5 average. Other team members are Seth Fair of Brownsburg with a 72.0, Blair Webb of Avon with a 73.1 and Kyle Pearson of Fort Wayne with a 73.8.
Kevin Beltz, a junior from Greenwood is the other Southsider on the 12-man roster, and has a 76.3 average.
When recruiting team members, Nicoson said he looks for mental toughness in dealing with the pressures of the game. He also looks for players who make good grades. His top five players have a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 grading system.
“What I like about this team is their work ethic. They don’t think they’re going to lose. They hate to lose more than I do.”
He said Monson, who practiced six to eight hours daily during the summer, “has the hardest work ethic I’ve ever seen.” Monson, the coach added, would go out and practice his golf swing after high school basketball practice.
Nicoson said college golfers today are bigger and stronger than a generation ago. It’s nothing for them to boom 300-yard drives off the tee. He added that equipment is much better, too, with the advancement of carbon and titanium clubs and livelier balls.
He said he works at maintaining respect and a good relationship with his players. He lets them know they can call him 24 hours a day, seven days a week whenever needed.
The Hounds will play Butler University at Eagle Creek Park Oct. 6-7. Their final play this fall will be at West Palm Beach, Florida, Oct. 13-14, the PGA National Golf Club tourney, which includes several bigger Division I universities.
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