"It was my dream when I was 6 years old to be a professional baseball player," reminisces Nick Kaiser. His dream almost came true when he played high Single-A professional baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Two major knee surgeries caused him to switch sports, but he cherishes the once-in-a-lifetime experience just the same. "It was an awesome experience to be around professional athletes," he remarks. 

 

Nick's introduction to golf came when he was in spring training with the Royals. "I had a lot of downtime and started playing golf at their spring training facility," he calls "When I played golf, I fell in love with it." This sport suits him to a tee. "I then found a college that had a degree in Professional Golf Management in New Mexico," he says. He decided to go for it.

 

After earning his degree and putting in many hours honing his golf skills, he went professional in golf. A former Class-A PGA Golf Professional and a PGA Mini-Tour winner, Nick won 10 amateur championships. "I worked at a country club, played in mini-tours, and then moved to California to play in mini-tours," he says. When the pay wasn't great, he found a new chapter in life - education.

 

For the past 25 years, Nick has been a dedicated coach, sharing his expertise and passion for golf with young athletes. His transition to collegiate coaching at Bakersfield College was a natural progression. “I had done everything I could as a high school golf coach and wanted to make an impact at the college level,” he says. Taking on the golf program at Bakersfield College has been a fulfilling role, allowing him to encourage students to hone their skills in a sport he deeply believes in.

 

Why golf? For Nick, it’s not only a sport but a lifetime passion. “Golf has a handicap system, so you can play at any skill level and still have a fun match. It’s also outside, and most people you meet on the golf course are high-character, well-educated people,” he shares. “It’s just such a positive environment.” His grandfather played golf until he was 97, and Nick sees golf as a game that can bring joy at any age.

 

Nick’s coaching philosophy is centered on intentional practice. “I tell players to practice with a purpose,” he says. “A lot of golfers practice, but not with purpose, which can waste time. I try to make drills as close to tournament conditions as possible, focusing on quality over quantity.” This approach has not only helped his players but also shaped Nick’s own practices, keeping him competitive as he strives to become one of California’s top senior amateur golfers. “I play once a week,” he shares.

 

Family plays a pivotal role in Nick’s life. Married to Megan for 21 years, he is also a proud father of two boys, Colton and Max, both of whom attend Stockdale High School. Balancing work and family, Nick finds joy in watching his sons play baseball and spending quality time together. Outside of work, he enjoys camping and surfing along California’s coast.

“I also love fantasy football,” he says with delight.

 

Reflecting on his successful life and career, Nick attributes much of his success to his parents, who instilled in him a strong work ethic. “They had a great work ethic and taught me to never let anyone outwork me,” he says. While his life once revolved around sports, he now identifies as a Christian, centering his values and identity around his faith.

 

As Nick approaches his 55th birthday, he remains a respected figure in the golf community and a beloved educator. In a life filled with championships, from nine CIF high school golf titles as a coach to his own golf accolades, Nick’s commitment to growth and giving back is unwavering. For him, it’s all about the journey, both on the course and in life. Who would have guessed it would have started with golf?