Talking golf with Nuggets assistant coach Chad Iske

For Nuggets assistant coach Chad Iske, there are four seasons.

The NBA preseason, regular-season, postseason and golf season.

Growing up in Denver, Iske spent countless summer days hitting the links around the metro area.

The Regis Jesuit High School graduate later honed his swing while working at Alvamar Golf Course in Lawrence, Kan., and tried out for the University of Kansas golf team every year. Despite getting his game near scratch, Iske never made the team, but one of his good friends, Chris Thompson, is a former Nationwide Tour player who came within a stroke of qualifying for the PGA Tour’s Byron Nelson Classic in May.

Iske’s professional aspirations are now fully focused on coaching in the NBA, but he still boasts a handicap of about 4. During the summer, he tries to play once or twice a week at various courses in Colorado.

Nuggets coach George Karl is a popular sparring partner for Iske on the course. The outcome of their head-to-head matches varies depending on who you ask.

“George likes to tell people I’ve never beaten him on the course,” Iske said. “Truth is, the first time we played, I think I shot 71. We were all-square going to 17. He topped it off the tee on 17 and topped it off the tee on 18. I won 3-up. He always seems to forget that one.”