Marketing Yourself to College Coaches

So You Want to Play College Golf
By Shannon Rouillard, Collegiate Search Partners

By now you should have some “inside” knowledge on character qualities that coaches will be looking for when they watch you compete.  If you haven’t figured that out yet, click here to read my last article.   You have hopefully also done some research in narrowing down your choices of schools that you are going to target.  What’s the next step?

Unless you are a “blue chip” player (i.e. one of the best in the country), you need to market yourself to coaches and get your name in front of them so they will want to come and watch you play in a tournament.  Your first task is to write a letter of introduction or cover letter and a golf resume.  This can be a time-consuming task, but take a weekend and get it done!  It will prove to be worth your time in the long run.  Here are some points to consider including in your cover letter:

1) Your name, high school, graduation year, GPA
2) Explain to the coach why you are interested in their school and perhaps something that you know about their program (show them that you have done some research already)
3) Highlight your accomplishments academically and/or athletically
4) Let the coach know you are interested to learn more about their school

In your golf resume, include personal and competitive information (especially scores and the yardages of the courses you played).  I can’t tell you how many times I looked at a resume with no scores on it, just the place finish!  That resume went to the bottom of the pile.  I don’t want that to happen to you!  Also, be sure to include a list of upcoming tournaments and dates.  Last, attach a list of references and their contact information.  Coaches like to talk to people who know you and can vouch for your character even before making contact with you.

College coaches receive countless cover letters and resumes every year.  Find something unique and different about yourself to help you stand out from the crowd.  You want the coach to keep reading and want to learn more about you.  Take advantage of this opportunity and put your best foot forward.  You can do it!  

Good luck!

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Shannon Rouillard, former Women’s Golf Coach at the University of Oregon and Assistant Women’s Golf Coach at the University of California, is founder of Collegiate Search Partners. CSP is committed to counseling young athletes and their parents in managing the recruiting process with the intent of earning an athletic scholarship.  If the thought of the recruiting process is overwhelming…If you don’t know which schools to target…If you feel the pressure of financing a college education…Call Shannon for answers!  

Visit www.collegiatesp.com and contact Shannon for “The #1 Secret to the Recruiting Process” report.