Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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  • Staying close by... PikeView’s Jordan Nelson, center, signs to play golf at Bluefield State on Wednesday at the PikeView High School Library. He was joined by his father Phillip Nelson, front left and mother Sherri Nelson. Surrounding him from back left is Steve Jefferies, retired PikeView golf coach Norman Fletcher, Nelson’s sister Emilee, grandfather Danny Pennington, grandmother Norma Pennington and PikeView golf coach David Perry. Contributed photo

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February 9, 2012

Nelson to swing for Blues next fall

By JONATHAN GREENE Bluefield Daily Telegraph

GARDNER — PikeView’s Jordan Nelson enjoys the comforts of home. When he heads off to college next year, Nelson will be able to continue enjoying those same comforts as he plays for the Bluefield State Big Blues.

In front of his friends and family in the PikeView High School library, Nelson signed Wednesday to join the current WVIAC golf champion Big Blues.

“It’s an honor,” Nelson said. “I’ve had a lot of support over the years. Just getting the chance to play collegiately is a great honor.”

His mother Sherri Nelson agreed.

“It’s a true blessing,” she said. “We’re very proud of him. He’s worked very hard. He’s just a great kid. We look forward to seeing what he’s going to do in the future.”

Nelson has been a standout for the Panthers on the links since he joined the team as a freshman. He will be joining several other local standouts who make up the Bluefield State team.

“I knew a couple of the guys going there,” he said. “I know them personally and have played golf with them over the years. It’s not that far away from home. I get to stay around the family.”

One challenge will be breaking into the traveling five of the Big Blues. Bluefield State, who won the WVIAC conference championship in the fall, features a roster full of juniors and underclassmen including Princeton’s Chandler Beavers and Jeff McGraw.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Nelson said. “I’ve never actually played on a team that’s this experienced before. It’s going to be a different atmosphere. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Nelson made two state tournament appearances while at PikeView. He qualified his freshmen and junior years while barely missing out his sophomore and senior years. His best finish was 15th.

“I saw a great player,” PikeView golf coach David Perry. “He had determination to improve. He’s just a great kid. I’m proud of him.”

Even though the high school season is over and college golf won’t start until the fall, Nelson doesn’t plan on taking much time off.

“This coming summer I plan on playing in the Top Flite and Blue Ridge Junior Tours,” he said. “I want to try to play as much as I can.”

Nelson plans on majoring in Civil Engineering while at Bluefield State. Along with getting a scholarship, his major played a big part in his search. Nelson said, “Bluefield State fit right in with what I was looking for.”

However, the biggest factor in choosing Bluefield State is being close to home for Nelson who describes himself as a “homebody”

“For me to be in college and to be near your home, that’s a big advantage for me,” he added. “I’ve grown up around here. I was always been a homebody pretty much. Being home is a big part for me and my confidence level with having my family around.”

His mother Sherri added, “That’s even better [having him close to home]. He’s a homebody. He likes home. I think he’ll do well being close to home too.”

His mom isn’t the only one who believes that either.

“I think he will shine on the next level,” Perry said. “He’s going in with a pretty stacked deck against him his first year. I think he can turn some heads his first year. After that, he’s going to be one of the stars over there.”

While being a star might not be on Nelson’s mind at the moment, he hasn’t forgot how he got to this point in career.

“I’d like thank family and thank God for everything,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

— Contact Jonathan Greene

at jgreene@bdtonline.com

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