Coach Palser, a native of Creston, competed at the collegiate level as a golfer for Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. During his collegiate career, he was ranked in the top-50 in the nation for Division II and Division III at the community college level. Palser also had a successful high school career, being named second team all-state in Class 3A during his senior year.

Palser earned an Associate of Arts degree from Kirkwood.