Former Ivy League Football player earns spot on 2024 DP World Tour

James Nicholas found himself in a tangle of wind after enduring the difficult conditions and the unrelenting stress in the final phase of DP World Tour’s Q School.

The 26-year old Scarsdale resident was in a state of emotional chaos for two hours.

Nicholas said, “Oh my gods!” after he played his way in with a final round 67 at Infinitum Golf and Beach Club. “I thought it would be a very close race, but I did not like my chances. We finished the round. I attended member orientation and then came out to do some interviews. Then, I checked the leaderboard. “I was still T19, and I thought maybe I had a chance.”

He searched for his caddie.

Nicholas said, “After about 10 to 15 minutes I found him inside the house with the curtains drawn.” “He said, ‘I won’t watch anyone finish on 18’.” “I just can’t. I was anxious, so I wanted see what was happening. I watched players make eagles and hit into water.

The DP World Tour 2024 will only accept the top 25 finishers including ties.

Nicholas was unable to assess the impact of every birdie or bogey. The former Ivy League Player of the Year at Yale, who spent four years trying to achieve his dream of playing golf full-time and was unable to gauge the impact of each birdie or bogey, knew that a place on the European Tour could change her life.

He was always on the phone, even when he wasn’t FaceTimeing with his girlfriend America Richmond.

It was getting harder to ignore a bogey in the final round.

Nicholas described the people at home as “living and breathing every swing”. “It was great for them to have that time difference, because I was already on the 15th hole when they woke. So there was no voodoo until the last holes. Once I was done, I FaceTimed America and told her that I had blown it. She was upset and crying for me but told me that I would be fine no matter what happened.

The optimism began to grow with every passing minute.

After telling everyone, “We’ll See,” We’ll see. “We’ll see,” Nicholas said. He has made 39 Korn Ferry Tour appearances since becoming a pro in 2019. “My smile grew bigger and larger and I began walking faster, faster, faster.” “Well, I could be a member of the DP World Tour. The entire week I was one-shot behind, one-shot back, and one-shot back. “I was never in the top 25 until I finished.”

Last week, he was in a tie with eight other players for 22nd place after completing the six rounds of golf at 14-under.

FaceTime was a different experience when the Westchester and Long Island Open champion broke the news. The tears were still flowing, but they were all happy ones.

Nicholas explained, “My dad had a patient lying on the operating table and a resident read updates shot-by-shot.” “My brother Steven was overjoyed when he called me to ask about his pro-am. My sisters were ecstatic and gave me the best congrats. And my younger brother Brian, who lives in Sioux City, called me after scoring two goals in a USHL game.

“We have always supported each in our own endeavors…and for me to finally have some kind of success on the course, I was proud and thankful for the support America and my family provided over the years. It was a very emotional time.

Take a professional mulligan

Nicholas played football, golf and hockey at Scarsdale and then went to Yale. He also played club hockey at college but dropped football to concentrate on golf. Nicholas was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019

A long-time family friend initially reacted with skepticism to the decision of becoming a professional touring musician.

Jim McLean, a former Sleepy Hollow Country Club Head Pro and a highly decorated teaching professional, said: “I have known them for ages.” “James’ grandfather looked after me when I lived in New York, and I taught Stephen’s dad when he was junior. When I’m in New York, I spend a lot of time with them.

“When they said James wanted to join the PGA Tour I advised him not to. He had a 3.8 at Yale in biochemistry and pre-med. Greyson was his first choice. He was on the fast track to playing top-flight golf in New York, and perhaps even national competition. James was a late starter in the serious game of golf. “Most of these guys were ranked in the top five of junior golfers and won a lot AJGA tournaments. But here’s what makes James different: He keeps fighting and he hangs on.”

Nicholas was able to achieve Korn Ferry Tour Status in 2019 but was ultimately defeated by a reshuffle. Since then, he has played in numerous Monday qualifiers and Regional Events to keep his dream alive. He has attended Q school multiple times on both sides.

He visited McLean’s golf school in Miami nearly a year before he headed to Thailand for an Asian Tour event. The lack of results prompted a change.

McLean explained, “We made a plan.” “I told James what was required and part of the plan was a routine that we both follow every day. I told him that it would take four hours a day, seven days a weeks. I warned him that it would be a tough task. He said, “I’ll do this.” And he did. “There are very few people that would do what I asked of him and he continued to work beyond six months.”

The swings were also changed after watching videos of McLean, a touring professional who has been teaching for many years and Cameron Young – another Sleepy Hollow standout who is now a PGA Tour success – being taught.

Jon McLean worked on Nicholas’ short and long game, and his putting. He played at Oklahoma State, and played on several tours, before he began to teach.

Jon McLean commented, “I played on tour so I understand how hard it can be. But you can see James’ determination and how he performs under pressure.” It was great to see James thrive under pressure. That’s empowering. James was determined to succeed after my dad challenged him.

This is huge. “It’s a game changer to have a permanent place on the second best tour in the World.”

Nicholas was always able to hit lows, but his consistency was a problem. Nicholas was below par on all six rounds of the final Q School in Spain.

McLean continued, “James surprised and impressed me.” “He is a phenomenal athlete. It’s a huge leap for him to go from amateur sports to professional sports. It was nerve-racking to see him so close during Q school. This is a huge deal because the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are both 1B. It’s there. “What he has accomplished is an incredible achievement.”

There’s still more!

Nicholas returned home from France after the Stage 1 of DP World Tour qualification to play the first stage in Korn Ferry Tour qualifiers in Alabama. He had to do more than just advance. Nicholas needed to finish at the top of the leaderboard in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with Stage 2 Spain. He won by just two shots and locked in a start on Nov. 28 at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Georgia.

The preparations are underway.

Nicholas told me by phone that he had just finished a lengthy conversation with his coaches. “I’m going to have to take a few minutes and think about it a bit before deciding whether or not I want a Korn Ferry Tour Card.” The fact that the top five finishers in the final round will receive a PGA Tour Card is an incentive for me to play the next week.

With so many golf courses to play, there’s no need to rush. A spot on the DP World Tour can relieve some of the pressure.

Nicholas said, “It would be awesome to end up in Europe if it happens.” “I love to travel, explore different cultures, and learn new things. That would be my dream, but I also think I could handle it.”

Over the past year, downtime has been hard to come by.

The family will spend Thanksgiving in Florida, continuing the celebration. The plan does not include a tryptophan nap. He’ll also visit friends in New York, before heading to Georgia on Saturday.

He said, “I will miss a party to celebrate the Scarsdale team’s Section 1 championship.” “I am disappointed because these guys are still my family.” These are some of my best memories, but I can FaceTime and see the boys.

Nicholas has another side gig.

He is an equity investor in Grandstand, a social media application for athletes created by fellow Yale graduate Sandeep Rajan.

Nicholas, an Instagram content creator with 104,000 followers and 375,000 TikTok fans, said: “We have been back and forth for a few years.” “I have been consulting with the Team, sharing background and my vision to make life easier for fans and give them a better experience. While eliminating the haters.” You don’t want to be reading negative comments on Instagram or TikTok, especially when you are spending time creating content and building a community.

Updates will be available for users who have been invited and premium subscribers can pay for content.

Nicholas explained, “It will be a place to share my more vulnerable side to people who I know will support and follow me.”

Grandstand will be releasing a larger release that includes athletes from different sports.

“I’m not sure if I’m able to share who has signed up, but there are Olympians, along with football, tennis, golf, and college athletes.

The journey will be documented, no matter what happens in the coming weeks.

Nicholas stated, “I have never been a full member of any tour.” “I’ve complained for years that I didn’t know where I was going or what I would be doing in two weeks. It’s great to finally be able to set a schedule, and choose when and where to play. This is just the beginning. I am looking forward to this stability. “I have a lot of work to do.”

Mike Dougherty is the golf correspondent for The Journal News, and lohud.com. Follow @lohudgolf.