Rare illness/college recruiting

[bwbw]

I'm seeking some advice as we are going through a heartbreaking moment:

 

My oldest daughter has aspirations to play college golf.  She is going to be a junior this year, so this is the first summer that college coaches can approach her.  Last summer she played well enough to generate some interest from coaches that were watching.

 

However, we recently received a diagnosis that she has a rare infection that is going to keep her from play golf for a minimum 6 more weeks (after missing all spring golf).  This means she will miss all of the major state level tournaments this summer where we live.  High school golf means absolutely nothing here, and her concern is that she is going to be overlooked in conversations as coaches start looking at their 2024 signing class.

 

Our obvious focus is getting her better, but as she gets to return, what is the best way to get back in front of the coaches?  We're hoping she is 100% to play some fall tournaments out of state since our state does not have much of a fall schedule.

[Golfingdawg19]

Seems like the thing to do would be to have her contact the schools she is interested in and let them know what is going on. That way they know why she isn’t playing in tournaments for an extended period of time. 

[leezer99]

+1 on what @Golfingdawg19 recommended. 

[DevilDog]

I agree with Golfingdawg19.  If she's healthy, get her into a lot of fall tournaments.  

[Abh159]

Agree with the others that if there are schools who are already interested in her (as you stated) then it might be a good idea to reach out to them and let them know why she won't be competing this summer. 

 

Also, playing tournaments is the best way to get on the radar so definitely play in the fall, but only if she is 100%. Playing poorly because you're injured/sick would probably do more harm than good. 

 

There's still plenty of time for her to be recruited, but worst case she can always start off at a smaller school or JUCO and then (assuming she performs well) transfer to a lager school down the road. 

[NJBigFish22]

First hope she gets better.  Have her reach out to the schools that have interest and tell them. Schools may not be able to contact her officially but she can contact them, but they won’t respond.  Also if she has a recruiting profile, add a note to that.  

[heavy_hitter]

3 hours ago, Golfingdawg19 said:

Seems like the thing to do would be to have her contact the schools she is interested in and let them know what is going on. That way they know why she isn’t playing in tournaments for an extended period of time. 

This ^^^^

 

She should have already been emailing the schools and coaches.  A common mistake in college golf recruiting is to wait until they start calling you.  That only happens for less than 10% of the kids.  The other 90% have to recruit themselves.

 

 

[chrissdc]

Let the coaches know right away and be totally honest, do not cover anything up.But don’t be long winded, keep it short and factual. These coaches don’t want a whole big story. If they want more info, they will ask.

You say she is generating interest before coaches can contact her. Now you will be able to determine if this is correct when coaches are able to contact your kid.

Edited June 9, 2022 by chrissdc

[golfortennis]

5 hours ago, chrissdc said:

You say she is generating interest before coaches can contact her. Now you will be able to determine if this is correct when coaches are able to contact your kid.

 

That was my thought as well.  You're about to find out just who might have been serious and who was just throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks.

 

Hope she gets better and knocks 'em dead in the fall.

[bwbw]

On 6/9/2022 at 3:52 PM, golfortennis said:

 

That was my thought as well.  You're about to find out just who might have been serious and who was just throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks.

 

Hope she gets better and knocks 'em dead in the fall.

 

I agree.  I’m a realist and know that to generate interest from some of the school she wants to attend, her scores need to drop.  But, the few coaches that have seen her play….we’ll see if they actually respond.

 

Right now we’re undergoing medical treatment.  In two weeks we have a follow-up exam that will either keep us on the same course or involve more extensive intervention (which would pull her out of half of fall play as well).

 

We’re hoping to at least play in OK this fall, possibly some TX tournaments.  Just need the next 5 weeks to go very good and get back to PT and swing work.