Letters to coaches

[emc]

Any pointers?

Here's a sample of a letter I sent to the head coach of Florida Southern's golf division. I was just wondering if you guys could give any tips on improving etc. as I haven't heard back from any coaches as yet and have sent 4 or 5 emails.

Hi Doug,
My name is emc, I'm a 16 year old from Ireland. I am in my junior year of high school and am considering going to college in America to improve golf and further my education. i am very interested in attending Flroida Southern, as it would be as close to home as you're gonna get in the U.S., and the educational programme seems quite attractive.

Facts

Name: emc
Location: Cork, Ireland
Email address: ******
USGA index: 1.1
Tournament experience: Provincial U15 championship, T9
GPA: 3.5

Thanks a million for reading this email, if you could contact me back with any information about your golf programme, I'd be delighted.

Faithfully,
Eoin McCann

[retep]

a couple of things:

1. they need to see you play, so list where you can be seen, a lot of coaches go to tournaments in the summer, etc...

2. i will assume you will work your a** off, in school in particular, since that is important, but you should mention that.

3. comparisons with existing usa college players is always key, like "2 years ago another fellow from my club is now playing at ____ university."

4. be persistant, don't wait for emails, just call after you email it is good to be a bit aggresive to show you are interested...

5. you need the toefl, sat, etc... tests... some other thread mentions that...

 

 

The squeeky wheel gets the grease. an enthusiastic player that plays well with others will be a better fit than a loner who is better but a scratch... good luck! I'm rooting for you!!!!

[emc]

Thanks man, the only thing is that I live in ireland, so I don't think the coaches are going to be that willing to fly over and see me. Same goes for SAT's, we don't do them over here. Thanks anyway though

[littleprov1x]

You're going need to post your tournaments and scores in them. The guy will want to know what you shoot in competition, and just knowing you were T-9th and not knowing what you shot isn't going to help him. Even though he won't come watch you play, include a list of upcoming tournaments so he can see what you've got coming up, and then maybe he'll track you online.

 

Also, instead of opening with "Hi Doug," use "Hi Coach Last Name."

[retep]

Whoa there EMC in ireland... You gotta think outta the box.... Mr. Motivator here puts his cap on... You can go to the states and play college golf and you might work up to 100% scholarship. You can do it if you want to do it. But you have to want to do it and start doing things to move you towards that goal. When i was young i lived in a van, down by the river. Now i am a motivational speaker. (that joke you have to look up... ).

 

Coaches work 12 months a year, but school is only 9 months or so, plus a camp/coaching, etc...

 

Who wouldn't like to go to ireland and see SEVERAL players from ireland who might be/ are interested in playing in the states and are good students, etc... ? Why not ? There could be a number of people, and YOU could help all of you out by putting together things and getting it worked out and inviting SEVERAL coaches to visit! You have to have the motivation to get things going, and a good start is googling for "ncaa clearing house" and reading all of that.

[tm8838]

I have somewhere the Ping College Guide letters that they give as an example of what you could send coaches. Let me look for them and I can send them to you if you would like them.

[emc]

I have somewhere the Ping College Guide letters that they give as an example of what you could send coaches. Let me look for them and I can send them to you if you would like them.

 

If you could PM me with those, tat would be great

[hensatc]

Couple things:

First, good luck

 

Second, if you are serious about coming to play in the US

look at the school as well as the golf program.

Often schools, especially the more selective ones, have special

admissions standards for international students.

Coaches are also usually intrigued if you already know a little

about the school and know *why* you want to be there other than golf.

 

Third, the SAT is administered overseas.

Im not sure exactly where or when but i know they offer it.

Check out collegeboard.com.

 

Hope that helps.

[animalistic]

Ya SAT's are offered here in Ireland..not sure exactly where though. A friend of mine from Cork did it this summer

[cokeefe1523]

I had heard that it gives a nice personal touch to handwrite your letters. I decided to type mine for neatness but recently recieved a letter in response, handwritten by the coach. It was a really cool feeling to see that he took the time to do this and I'm sure that this is mutual.

[johndaly07]

Kings Hospital college near liffey valley in dublin offer them aswell as st andrews in booterstown