SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Gary Nelson II, a two-time Marin County Athletic League champion at Redwood High School in 2002–03, has been named the new head golf coach at Dominican University of California, Athletics Director Terry Tumey announced today.

“Gary is well versed in what it takes to build a championship program, and improve the individual skills of his student-athletes without sacrificing, but promoting academic success as part of his system,” Tumey said. “He is a dedicated coach who gives full devotion to his players and the program.”

Prior to coming to Dominican, Nelson, who lives in Mill Valley, was an assistant golf professional at the Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Club in Colorado. In 2009, he worked as an instructor for both Stanford University and Nike golf camps under the guidance of successful Cardinal Head Coach Conrad Ray and USF Assistant Coach Ryan Gonzalez.

“I love this game and realize that Dominican has the only NCAA Division II golf program in the county.  I am excited to build a program that the University and this community can be proud of,” Nelson said. “It is time to see what these student-athletes are capable of doing and I intend to take it one shot at a time to improve the team and the program.”

Nelson's father, Dr. Gary Nelson, was interim director of athletics at the University of San Francisco last year. He has coached or directed the Dons' men's golf program since 2005. He coached his son for three years (2006–08) at USF when its golf team rose from 285th to 42nd in the nation among college teams.

The 2008 USF graduate began his competitive playing career in Northern California Junior Golf events. He grew up in Marin attending international Alister MacKenzie Society gatherings held in such clubs as Royal Melbourne in Australia, Lahinch, Ireland and Titirangi, New Zealand, as well as Cypress Point Club and Meadow Club.

Nelson also played basketball at Redwood High School in Larkspur and was coached by Booker T. Harris, the new head men's basketball coach at Dominican.