Who are you?
My name is Nate Peltonen and I’m the co-founder of Kadet Golf. I’ve worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years at companies like Bonobos, Everlane, and Madewell. How people dress and style has always been a core interest for me, from clocking people’s fits on the subway to surfing vintage magazines and pictures, I’ve always found style to be such an intimate way of expressing yourself. I’ve always felt like the brands we associate with and things that we wear to be a small window into who we are.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Beacon, NY which is about 50 miles north of Manhattan in upstate NY. It’s a cool little town that gives me access to the outdoors and access to the city so get a blend of both worlds.
What’s golf to you?
I’ve always been a competitor. I grew up a soccer player, playing on club teams, in college, so competing, training, and improving have always been a core part of my life. I think as we get older, the opportunities to be competitive and having a sport to strive to do that in shrinks drastically. Golf is that for me, it’s something that I can constantly try to improve at, the journey is never over, there’s never a “okay i’m good enough” point. I love that constant evolution. On a less serious side, golf is a great way to have an ice cold beer.
Target handicap?
I don’t really have one, I probably should. For me the measurement process is more internal. How do I feel when I walk off the course is more important than a handicap. I feel like we instantly know if we played well, bad, or decent. I’m just shooting for more decent than bad at the end of the day.
Favorite golf course?
My favorite golf course that I’ve actually played is probably Yellowstone Club. Never really played mountain golf before, but it’s just breathtaking being in that setting, the elevation changes, truly unique golf experience. And then in terms of just my go to track, Silver Lake in Staten Island, “the working man’s country club.” An affordable, decent track in New York, hacker’s paradise.
Favorite item in your bag?
Probably my rescue Taylormade M3 Hybrid. It’s one of those clubs that when you pure it, the ball flight, sound, and feeling is just so clean.
Shoutouts?
Shoutout to anyone that’s purchased our gear. As a small brand, every time you hear that Shopify order placed sound, it’s an incredible feeling. Maybe someday we’ll be big enough where I’ll have to turn that notification off, and that’s when I’ll know we’ve made it.
Photos: @pellegrino_bambino
