I had never had a girl on my team when I was coaching H.S. golf, but a co-worker of mine has a neice that consistantly shoots in the low 80's on her High School boys team for 18 holes. How should she and her parents go about getting her recognized by Div. 1 or Div 2 colleges. I reccommended that she play more off season tournaments, make some calls and forward her info to specific coaches. Any other info that WRX'ers can supply would be greatly appreciated. By the way, she is currently a Junior. Thanks in advance for any information.

http://www.collegegolf.com/collegegolf/

The best place to start. She needs a copy of this guide and she is on her way...

More tournament exposure is always good. I would have her put together a resume and send it to coaches of schools she is interested in. The easier the student makes it for the coach, the more likely a positive response is.

I put some information in "Lord Thomas' Guide To College Golf", and most of that information should prove helpful for the women's game as well.

Feel free to pass along my e-mail address (Thomas.Dugald.Cameron@gmail.com) if your co-worker or his niece has any more questions I can help with.

-Thomas

I had a boy and girl go through this in different sports and would offer the following thoughts. First off, the previously mentioned suggestions are good and should help. NCAA rules govern how/when kids can be contacted and because your niece is a junior, that may have some impact. Your niece or her parents however, can and should initiate contact with desired schools -- there's no problem with that. For many, many players and schools, that's the first step.

If she's finishing near the top in AJGA or USGA tournaments, college coaches may already know about her but not her intentions. If she's not playing in tournaments like that (especially the AJGA), chances are she's not on anyone's radar. And that's where a bit of marketing comes in.

Have her sit down and map out a list of targeted schools. Have her look at their golf team and coaches, her desired course of study, housing, yearly cost, the school's academic and athletic facilities and reputation. For many kids, the sport ends up taking a back seat to growing up within a good university and its environment. She should find a place where first and foremost; she will get a degree she can use from a school she can love. How serious does she want to be with golf -- a DI program is going to demand that she commit hours practicing in addition to qualification rounds and actual playing? A DII program may fit her better athletically and academically.

Once she has an idea of schools, have her assess the talent at those schools in relation to her potential. Has she ever played against any of the members of that college team? Can she compare any of her high school scores/accomplishments against past year's play/records by members of the college team. Obviously, its best to be realistic, and that may best come from someone (like you) who can help her look at the decision in a more rational/less emotional way.

Have her put together a package on herself that includes a typewritten cover letter, contact information, referral letters from her coach and head pro, a resume of her accomplishments on the course as well as in the classroom and the community. With technology today, it’s easy for her to videotape her swing and dub that to a DVD. Have her research each school so that she can write specifically why she's interested in a particular team or coach.

Close each cover letter with a call to action; "Here is a list of the tournaments I'm scheduled in. I’m also going to be down your way at the end of September, and would like to come by. I can call next week or if you'd like contact me, we’ll set up a day to meet."

I've found that so many variables are involved in this process. Depending on the school, women's golf may or may not be fully funded so she considers several schools -- each offering a partial scholarship. But that's typical for many girls and some boy’s sports.

Thanks for all the info. guys. Any more info. or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

There was a VERY good article on College Golf scholarships in the Golf Digest Issue (I think) with the Ryder Cup coverage. (Sergio on the front). Maybe it was Golf Magazine.....BUT their second major article was all about college golf scholarships and how to get them starting as far back as Freshman year in HS. Even rated the schools for golf programs and athletics.

A REALLY GREAT article, and I am YEARS away from having kids even.