UPIKE Athletics

Nelson Scott has been the head coach of the women's golf program since 2012. 

During the 2023-24 season, the Bears won five tournament titles and finished in the top three nine times. Most importantly, the women's bowling program led the nation with 10 NAIA scholar-athletes.

Under Coach Scott in 2022-23, the Bears finished first in four tournaments. Freshmen Renee Crooks finished first in four tournaments and was a three-time MSC Women's Golfer of the Week, freshman Carly Crooks finished first in two tournaments and was twice named MSC Women's Golfer of the Week. Both Carly and Renee were named Second Team All-MSC in 2022-23. 

Coach Scott's team also finished atop the NAIA in team GPA in the 2022-23 WGCA Academic All-Scholar Awards.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Boo Newsome became the first Bear in program history to be named NAIA National Women's Golfer of the Week (4/13/22) and the first NAIA All-American in program history (Third-Team). 

Following the 2017-18 season, Scott was named MSC Co-Coach of the Year after one of the best runs in UPIKE history. Scott was at the reigns when the Bears were ranked in the preseason top-25 prior to the 2019 season, a first in program history.

In 2018-19, Scott's team had the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year (Ellen Kehoe) as well as the runner-up at the conference awards. They also had their best finish in program history at the Mid-South Conference Championships in 2018-19, taking second-place, as they were leading after day one.

In 2013-14, UPike finished fourth at the Mid-South Conference Championship with 988 total strokes. Scott’s recruit, Katy Humphrey, helped the Bears reach new heights in the MSC, taking eighth place overall at the league championship with a three-round 236 (79-78-79).

The momentum kept rolling in 2014-15 as the Bears finished fourth at the MSC Championship again with a total score of 1,000 strokes. This time, Brittany Brophy led the way in 14th place with a three-round score of 246.

Scott has coached six All-MSC performers during his time at UPIKE with Ellen Kehoe being the lone MSC Golfer of the Year in 2018-19. He has also coached three MSC Golfers of the Week. Scott has totaled 24 tournament wins and several runner-up finishes in his career with the Bears.


 

Scott is a graduate of Pikeville High School and then Pikeville College with an Associate of Applied Science degree earned in 1985. He was an assistant boy’s golf coach at Pike County Central High School for four years before taking over as head coach for two years prior to joining the Bears.

Scott is a member of Meta Baptist Church. Coach Scott holds a full-time position at the Kentucky Power Company where he was worked for 34 years. He resides on Lower Johns Creek with his wife, Patsy of 32 years. The couple has two sons, Chase and Aaron. Scott's hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, skiing and of course golf. 
 

Scott’s MSC Championship Finishes by Season