Nick Hagen, a Beloit native and former collegiate golfer, has been named head coach of Blackhawk Technical College’s Talons Men’s Golf Team. With a lifelong passion for the game and local roots, Hagen brings both experience and enthusiasm to the growing program.
“I've played golf since I was a kid, along with other sports, but golf was the best fit for me. I like the idea that you can always improve your game, be a student of the game, and learn from the past,” said Hagen, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Beloit College where he was a member of the college’s golf team. “Coaching golf is a new step for me, but I feel my golfing career and knowledge of the game made for a great opportunity for me to give back to this great game.”
He said his focus for the Talons golfers will be on preparation and efficiency.
“We can practice in an efficient manner. We can prepare ourselves for the day ahead, and we can continue to work on the areas of our game that need improvement,” Hagen said. “Golf will provide its own lessons to everyone, and I like to provide a kind atmosphere for continuous learning.”
Outside of work, Hagen enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, volunteering for the Riverside Men’s Golf Association in Janesville, and–of course–playing golf, which includes local amateur tournaments. At one such tournament — the Ray Fischer Amateur Golf Championship — he was paired with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who has ties to Wisconsin. Hagen played two days with Romo before being cut from the tournament.
“It was fun, a good memory … but I wished I would have played better. Not long after that, I played in the Wisconsin Public Links Mid-Amateur championship, and I won the tournament,” he said.
Looking ahead to the fall season, Hagen said he’s going to continue with tournament play in Region IV and work on increasing awareness of Blackhawk’s golf program.
“It's been great to come aboard early this summer to meet some of the staff and fellow coaches. I enjoyed spending time with everyone at the Athletics Open House in May,” he said.