[2] Nolan came to wider prominence when he was a runner-up in the 1933 Dunlop-Southport Tournament at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club.

The tournament was won by Bill Davies with Nolan, Henry Cotton and Ernest Whitcombe a stroke behind.

In the 1934 Open Championship at Royal St George's Golf Club Nolan again started well and was tied for 8th after three rounds.

[8][9][10] Nolan had tied the 1933 Dunlop-Irish Tournament with Pat O'Connor, but in August 1934 he won it outright when it was played at Knock Golf Club, Belfast.

[citation needed] Nolan was professional at Sutton, Tullamore (1922), County Sligo (1921), Galway (1921), Howth (1924) and then Portmarnock from 1925 until his death.