Nick Carlson opens up about life as a touring professional, and the highs and the lows faced on a weekly basis. Despite the challenges, the American is making the most of his maiden season on the HotelPlanner Tour. Meanwhile, Filippo Celli took a giant leap towards securing his DP World Tour card with victory at the Dutch.
Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] It’s been 2 years since the Hotel Planetour was in the Netherlands, and this week we mark its long awaited return. A prolonged break, but nowhere near as lengthy as the gap since the last staging of this specific tournament. The Dutch Futures was last played back in 2009, and there can certainly be no better place to usher in a new era than at our host venue this time around. Situated about an hour south of Amsterdam, the Dutch is one of the country’s premier golfing destinations. This stunning inland links design brings the Scottish experience to Dutch soil. That was the brief to course designer Colin Montgomery and he certainly succeeded with this par 71 championship layout. This week we’re getting to know an American on the Hotel Planet Tour and someone who’s been on an incredible journey from humble beginnings to a player on an international pro tour. My name is Nick Carlson, a rookie out here on the Hotel Planet Tour from Hamilton, Michigan. Golf journey started growing to the golf course with my uh older brother Josh and my dad. We’d go out to Grand Valley State University, which is funny enough where I practice now when I’m home. That’s kind of how the obsession with golf started. And you know, whether it’s making a two-footer or 5-footer for a quarter and dad taking us to lunch after and it just kind of blossomed from there. And then I started playing tournaments at age six and then next thing I know I’m I’m going to the University of Michigan to play uh collegiately and then turned pro afterwards. So it’s been kind of a a crazy a start, but it’s been golf obsessed since since day one when dad brought me out. I’d say the the idea of golf came easy, but I’ve put a lot of a lot a lot a lot a lot of work in. Um, I had Oh, look. You got me, Rich. I’ve always been one to work hard from a really early age. I would just go to the golf course and hang out all day while mom and dad worked. And um, it wasn’t it’s never felt like work or hard or hard work. It’s just it’s just been my life. After a successful college career, Nick tried his luck in the pro ranks, which didn’t start quite as expected. In need of money, Nick started working as a coach and doing other odd jobs. But the hard yards paid off when in 2024, he won a next golf tour event on a golf simulator by holding a mini driver on the 16th to open the door to a career in golf once again. [Music] won $50,000 because of a crazy hole out with the with the famous Mini driver and you know was able to put a bunch of money in the bank and uh kind of invest in myself for that summer quit the job working with the kids and you know try Q school again and if it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t be sitting here [Music] and during Q school After four rounds of golf, Nick would birdie his penultimate hole to make the cut and secure a Hotel Planetour card for the first time. An emotional moment. I always knew I could do it. No, it’s just it’s special. I mean, never had status on a tour. Never knew if it would happen after 5 years of trying. So, it’s just Yeah. changed my life. Being a no-name kid from from the no-name town in Michigan, uh to be able to travel the world and play a uh the hotel planner tour is just uh I’ll never forget it. It’s definitely the highlight of my golf career and uh probably until I’m in a major or something like that. It’ll it’ll hold strong. I mean, I’ll be able to tell my kids uh whatever it is. So, yeah, it’s really really cool. After that life-changing week, the reality of being a touring pro on a worldwide tour and the expenses that incurred is something Nick would need to deal with. 90% of it is financial. If you can get to final stage, if you I mean you can get through first stage, you have the game to to be out here, then you have to be in the right head space. And I think I have a good good headsp space on that. Then it’s financial and that’s the hardest part. And I went back to the drawing board and was like, “Oh crap, I don’t know how I’m going to do this.” I really did. A couple people jumped on board uh from home right away. And uh yeah, it got me to South Africa. And if it wasn’t for that, like I don’t know what I would have done. American Nick Carlson was a delivery driver to make ends meet last year, but now he’s got a status on the Hotel Planet Tour. 67 on day three for Nick. You just hope it goes really well in those those events that you get in. And I was lucky enough to get into three of them and and had two really solid finishes to start the year and you know, you’re staring at a 12th of this cut and a 14th and you’re like, “Holy cow, we’re three events in, I can do this. It’s not easy. You make a cut, you get another week.” Kind of. That was my mentality. And uh it still holds true. Yeah, it’s been it’s been good. It’s been really good. Oh, let’s go. [Applause] After all this, Nick was sat 19th on the road to Morca rankings. Something he wasn’t taking lightly as he focused on achieving a place at the grand final in Morca. The game kind of progressed from getting enough points to what I thought in theory would be top 75. I I accomplished that. So then my next goal was like, okay, let’s try to get as many points to get the America. that would be really cool, top 45. And uh I’m really close to that. And so I think that’s still kind of my goal. And uh once that happens, then we can get a new goal. The dream is yeah, to try to graduate, but uh you got to get to America first. And that’s uh you got to handle that business. And so to business with an early Thursday morning tea time as Carlson teed off on the 10th for round one of the Dutch futures alongside two previous Hotel Planetour winners Dan Housing and Clemon Shamas. It proved a steady opening run for the American as he par his first five holes. Patience was definitely a virtue and it paid off. This fine approach to the green on the par 515th set up a birdie chance [Music] and he would convert the putt to get some red on his scorecard, [Music] but it didn’t trigger some much needed momentum. Carlson made par on the next three holes to reach the turn at one under. The consistency continued until after a chip onto the green at the par 56th, he would convert the birdie putt, giving rise to hope of a strong finish to the round. Unfortunately, he would drop a shot at the very next hole. And with no further gains on the final two, Coulson would reach the clubhouse with a respectable first round on Park. Elsewhere, round of the day belonged to Dermat Mroy. This delightful birdie hole out on the 18th helped him come home at five under par. [Music] After next solid opening round, what better way to relax than to retire to a log cabin for dinner with his fianceé and caddy for this week, Anna. Also joining the party, fellow American Palmer Jackson and his caddy Willie. Nick, what’s on the menu tonight? tacos and cookies for dessert with a little bit of ice cream. So, should be good. I mean, course played quite difficult. Uh, I didn’t know what to expect going into the day. Uh, I’d been after last week’s final round, I kind of was fighting some swing things. So, to see the ball come off somewhat straight on the first hole of the day, it kind of gave me a sigh of relief. Gentlemen, come get after it. I’ll keep heating these up. [Music] It’s good stuff. Kind of surprised myself there. So, what’s the secret to these cookies? A lot of butter. After that relaxing evening to unwind, it was soon back to work for the American. And as Friday got underway, there was more of the same for Carlson. A steady stream of pars to start. But after a drop shot on the fourth, he needed a reaction. And after making steady progress to the green on the par 56, Carlson would two putt his way to a first birdie of the day. [Applause] But after struggling with the flat stick and making the turn level for the day, Carlson would drop another shot to start the back nine. He was getting worryingly close to the cut line. One delightful approach later and a birdie at 13 would calm those nerves. [Music] Nick’s housemate for the week, Palmer Jackson, would fare better on day two. This birdie on the sixth, would help send him top of the leaderboard with Pedro Figuredo. With no further gains, Carlson was coming down the last, looking to keep it level for the day. But he struggled off the tea on 18. And it wouldn’t get any easier. A double bogey to finish two over for the day, one over for the tournament. But Carlson would just sneak inside the cutline and make it to the weekend. Glad it’s done. Uh I got two more to go. Uh I got a little nervous down the stretch there. Um, especially on AT&T, I I got a little quick and but happy it’s done and happy I get to play two more days because you can always play the game and move up the ladder. Fingers crossed for a good finish then. Plenty of room for improvement over the weekend. [Music] Coming up, a trip into the past at the Dutch Futures with a former winner. It’s funny how some weeks like that you just feel like something good is going to happen. and discover who reigns supreme in the Netherlands. We’ll see you after the break. [Music] Welcome back to the Hotel Planetour. We’re in the Netherlands this week for the Dutch futures. With the third round to come, Portugal’s Pedro Figeredo leads the way alongside American Palmer Jackson. Both one shot clear. Former rankings leader Daniel Van was in the final group too looking to chase down his playing partners with plenty of others lurking with intent. [Music] So an intriguing Saturday lay in store watched for us by Josh Anman. [Music] Italian Filipo Chelli was one of the early pace setters on moving day. Started early in the morning. had four birdies and an eagle going out in 30 strokes. Birdie 14th before this delightful wedge and resulting birdie putt on the next hole sent tied at the top of the leaderboard just as the final group were teeing off. Our feature player this week, Nick Carlson, wrapping up his round with a birdie, 68 for the American who would move 28 places up the leaderboard and into a share of 29th. Carlson’s roommate and winner in the Czech Republic earlier this season. Palmer Jackson was taking the early lead in the last group. This 40 foot monster birdie put the fifth would be his second of the day. Chel though would keep up the momentum after another birdie on 16. He would set up another birdie chance at the par five 18th hole coming over that ridge with this eagle effort. Lovely touch from the Italian. Not to be, but the silver medal winner from the 2022 Open were tapping for Bley. A brilliant route from the Italian, carding a 62, which included no bogeies and a whopping seven birdies. Brilliant stuff. Jackson will keep up his good form on the front line with birdies on hole five and hole six. And he will set up another chance with this approach to the seventh. [Music] Pin height from the American plenty watching on on Saturday. And Jackson would convert for his third birdie in a row. A three-shot lead for Jackson, but he would go on to make a mess of the ninth. A triple and followed up with a bogey on 10. Four under through his first eight holes and then four over on his next two. Steady round from Scotland’s Euan Walker looking for his first win this season. A couple of third place finishes yet to find the winner circle after this brilliant birdie on 17. He would cut a 69 and come in at eight under par. One shot shy of the leaders. Palmer Jackson would rally with two birdies. But after another drop shot on 17 and this par on 18, he would come in at eight under par finishing one off the pace set by Chel. [Music] Yes, a fabulous round from Filipo Chelli put the Italian in pole position. He will be joined in the last group by American Chase Hannah and Belgian James Mayor Debeco both on eight under after carding 66ers on an impressive moving day in the Netherlands. It had been 16 years since the Dutch futures was part of the Hotel Planetour schedule. The last time this event was played was back in 2009 with Nicholas Koulsarts prevailing turning on the style with a four- stroke victory over Andrew MacArthur and Julian Ken. [Applause] It’s funny how some weeks like that you just feel like something good is going to happen. You know, Jerome Tunis was also there and he told me afterwards like he knew I was going to have a good week. Sometimes you just don’t know why, but you kind of give that impression to people around you. I was playing well and you know for us Belgians when you when you play in Holland it’s a it’s a very um it’s a feel close to home. I mean it’s a there surroundings that you know extremely well you know lowlands so you know what the ball does. Uh so all in all uh it’s a it’s a week where you don’t really have to to second guess yourself a lot and you you almost feel like you play at home. For the Belgian, it was liftoff. His second win that season went a long way towards securing promotion to the DP World Tour. [Applause] It’s one thing to win your card, but it’s a it’s just a habit of of swallowing the weeks and swallowing the good weeks one week after the other. Um, and and just keep that momentum going when you’re playing well. I think that’s the one thing that I did. I kept the foot down. You can have a lot of movement on on on tours like that. So you you got to make sure that every time you tee it up, you get to squeeze as much as you can out of your weeks. Uh and I’ve been fortunate enough to play two full times on the auto plan now. But uh but but yeah, I I managed that quite well every time I did. [Music] Colarts has since won three times on the DP World Tour, contended in majors, and even represented Europe in the RDER Cup. Much of that success was due to the foundations laid on the Hotel Planetour. He remains unsurprised at the caliber of golfers rolling off the tour’s production line. [Music] I’m impressed of the guys that are at the top. Uh the same way that you will be impressed at the best players in the world. You have those 10 15 guys at the top that seems to make the difference all the time. And uh and the top planet tour is exactly the same. you have these uh these 10 guys that seems to be always there and and and and chase those uh those very valuable uh spots high up in the ranking. They will get you a few more events when you when you make it onto the DP the year after. We’re back now to the final round of the Dutch futures with Italian Filipo Chile looking to win a maiden Hotel Planetour title. But with four players breathing down his neck just a shot behind, it was all to play for on a dramatic final day at the Dutch. William Gilamondi, winner at the Irish Challenge a couple of weeks ago, was tearing up the course on Sunday. He would take this birdie putt on the ninth to go out in 31. He’d had three more birdies and an eagle to cut a 62 to post the joint low round of the week. Overnight leader Chel were staying strong at the top of the leaderboard. Birdies on the first and third kept him in front and on the tricky path 56 made this brilliant approach shot. Plenty out watching on the final day and we’re watching on as Chel would make the eagle putt continuing impressive form from Saturday. Four under through his first six holes and he would go two clear at the top of the leaderboard. Germany’s hurly long was charging up the leaderboard on Sunday. A strong front line of 31 was backed up by three birdies on the back n and this approach on 15 would result in another one and with Chel struggling on the back n would be tied for the lead at this point. Dan Young continued his fine season and he would finish in style after this approach on 18. winner of the Scottish Challenge in early August. He would card an impressive 66 and come joint third at 10 under par. Long was eight under par through 15 holes of his final round, but he couldn’t add any more birdies on the last three holes, but incredible round from the German meant he would set the clubhouse lead at 13 under par. After Long’s heroics, Chel needed a birdie on one of his last two holes to retake top spot. He would give himself a great chance after this approach here on 17. He birded the 15th, but he did need some magic coming home. And he found it on the penultimate hole of the tournament. Sunny skies in Holland and the Italian held his nerve to convert the birdie putt and retake top spot by one. Two top fives in his last three events. He was finally looking to get that elusive win. Keeping his cool down the last chi would set up a birdie to finish in style and he holds it to claim a maiden hotel planetur title. Such an impressive performance from Chel. He only made the cut by one but shot 15 under over the weekend to win by two. So confirmation Filipo Chelli the winner in the Netherlands round of the day came from Oen Giam with his brilliant 62. Chase Hannah and James Mayor Debecco would join Scotland’s Euan Walker in joint fifth but scooping the silverware an impressive Italian. Uh I mean tough it’s tough now but I’m very happy. I was waiting this moment since like three years ago. So long time but um finally arrived my time I can say and I’m very happy after especially after the first two rounds that I I made the cut as a 40 something and then shooting like 14 14 under 15 under the in the weekend is very he’s very good. I’m very proud. [Music] Let’s see how all of that affects the rankings. David Law still ruling the roost. While that win has moved Fippo Chelli up six places to third, Dan Young also making progress. Euan Walker has leapt to 11th. Our featured American Nick Carlson sat at 19th. And in what will be eventually a crucial 20th spot is Jonathan Goat Rasmuson. And with congratulations to Filippo Chelli, we bid farewell to Dutch soil and head to Swedish terrain as our intrepid contenders contemplate the dormy open. So join us next time as the pursuit of promotion to the DP World Tour continues. [Music]
