Kai Nelles

Kai Nelles, Director of Instruction kain@wakondaclub.com | 641-420-8388 Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Kai was introduced to the game by his father as a teenager and quickly developed a passion for golf that shaped both his playing and professional career. As a junior golfer, Kai worked in course maintenance, the golf shop, and assisted with junior programming and private lessons at his home club, where he helped grow a small initiative into a structured program serving more than 100 junior golfers. After six years of teaching in Germany, Kai moved to the United States to play collegiate golf at NIACC before transferring to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2023 to join the PGA Golf Management Program. He is currently completing his PGA Class A membership requirements through the University of Nebraska and his work at Wakonda Club. Prior to joining the Wakonda team, Kai served as Lead Instructor Intern at the Lincoln (NE) City Golf Academy and YMCA, and later as Director of Instruction at Holmes Lake Golf Course. He directed junior and ladies’ programs, coached PGA Junior League teams, and provided individual and group instruction to players of all skill levels, including PGA HOPE veterans. Outside of golf, Kai enjoys reading and has a passion for music, having played piano and guitar for most of his life.