Nicolas DeBell '24 Recruiting Profile

Does my obsession with golf come from my genetics or my life experiences? It is the age-old question of nature v. nurture. In my case – it is absolutely both.

My golf genes run strong. My great-grandfather on my mom’s side – whom I’m told looked just like me: tall, skinny, narrow face, blond hair – was a scratch golfer. On my dad’s side, my grandmother (“Nani”) has played golf at least five days a week for as long as I can remember. My family jokes that golf is Nani’s number one priority in life. As for nurture, golf has always been a part of my life. My family plays golf every weekend. We take golf vacations. One of my favorite memories was hitting a 350 yard drive on hole 18 on the Plantation Course at Kapalua when I was 10 years old. Of course, I still refuse to admit that the downhill fairway with a 150 foot elevation drop helped me at all. When I was 13, I sold used golf balls all summer from the tee box of the golf course behind my house to save money to buy my first Scott Cameron Phantom X5 putter.

As much as I love golf, it has not an easy for me because I am what they call “Twice-Exceptional.” Twice-exceptional is defined as people who “demonstrate superior ability in one or more areas (specific academics, intellectual ability, creativity, leadership . . .) and one or more . . . academic challenges. . . .” https://www.teca2e.org/about-2e/. My challenges are ADHD and dyslexia. Only 0.5% of the population is Twice Exceptional. My ADHD has caused me to struggle with focus and impulse control – like resisting the urge to take risky shots. I have learned that it helps me to focus by using a pre-shot routine: I take a deep breath and “lock in” to my shot. On the other hand, I think being Twice-Exceptional gives me some super powers. I think about things differently from most people and I am good at solving problems in unique ways. I am a great advocate for my ideas – I often win arguments with my mom, who is a lawyer! She says, “if I am talking, she is losing!” I know that I have to work harder (or smarter) than other kids, but I also know that I am really smart and will figure out a way to succeed. I have a great sense of humor and am a natural leader.

I would make a great addition to your golf team because I love golf, I love to compete, and I will bring diversity of thought and character to your team.