Well-th Blog

Hightower-Sponsored Professional Golfer Nick Hardy Talks Heroes, Training and Hightower on Matt Adams’ ‘Fairways of Life’ Podcast

By Hightower Advisors / February 23, 2021

Last summer, Hightower began sponsoring Chicago’s own Nick Hardy, a talented young golfer and recent graduate of the University of Illinois. Over the past six months, we have been proud to watch as he competed through the pandemic, honed his craft and solidified himself as a rising star in the sport. Nick’s growing success is due to a combination of focus, determination, precision and commitment – values we all hold dear.

Last week, Nick was a featured guest on noted author and talk show host Matt Adams’ podcast, Fairways of Life. During the interview, Nick chatted with Matt about training in snowy Illinois, his secret weapon on the green and why he loves rocking his Hightower gear.

Read on for a snippet of their conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Matt Adams: How is life going for you? How are you finding your tour through the professional ranks?

Nick Hardy: Starting out the year, I signed up for a few PGA tour qualifiers, but this year is obviously a little different than most. We had a little more time off than normal, which opened me up to some opportunities to play in the PGA tour Mondays. I ended up qualifying for two of them and think I fared pretty well. Now, it’s back to the Korn Ferry tour.

Matt Adams: Being from Northbrook Illinois and playing for the University of Illinois, I’m curious how you were able to hone your game so well – I mean, six months out of the year, it’s snowy there, right?

Nick Hardy: From the time I started walking, for as long as I can remember, I have loved this game. Because I love it, I’ve found any way possible to try and practice and play in the wintertime. I’d go out when it was snowing, freezing, 20 degrees, ice on the ground. I’d find any time I could to go practice even when it was cold. In college, we had an incredible indoor facility right next to our outdoor facility, so it was really the best of both words in the winter!

Matt Adams: What would you say is your biggest asset when you’re competing at this level?

Nick Hardy: Controlling my emotions and my game management. Especially the last couple of years, I’ve tried to have the best attitude possible. I think that’s my number-one trait as a golfer right now – my mental game. I think it shows just when you’re qualifying for PGA events in playoffs; my mind is right where I want it to be. I’m controlling my thoughts and emotions really well out there right now.

Matt Adams: Golf is your profession, but I know it’s also your passion. Can you tell me about a moment when you’ve looked around at where you are, and just been excited to be standing there next to your heroes?

Nick Hardy: Yeah! Tiger Woods is really my “oh wow” player. I’ve been able to meet him a couple of times and that’s pretty cool for me because he was my idol growing up. Watching him win when I was young and then meeting him, it’s incredible. I’m just excited to get more opportunities to compete against some of the best players in the world.

Matt Adams: Most professional athletes align themselves with companies that mean something to them. In your case, I can see that you’re wearing a hat with a logo on it. Can you share a little bit about your sponsors?

Nick Hardy: Of course. My newest sponsor is Hightower Advisors, a Chicago-based wealth management firm, and I’m really proud to be aligning myself with them. Hightower is special to me because it’s a local brand. Being from the Chicagoland area and going back there a lot, it’s great to have them with me. My sponsors are the reason why I am able to compete!

Matt Adams: As a young player, what message do you want to send to the world?

Nick Hardy: Two things. First – don’t quit. There’s no quitting in Nick. And secondly, embrace competition. I am one of the most ruthless competitors out there. I like to compete in anything, whether it be golf or bowling or tennis – you name it. I like to compete against my friends and try to win, it’s just my nature. I think my competitiveness is my strongest attribute.

Watch Nick’s full interview here, starting at the 40-minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtvHA-HnFsE

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