Getting Noticed by College Coaches: Marketing Yourself to Play Collegiate Golf Dr. Bruce Fleming Founder Play Collegiate Golf Webinar # 3
Dr. Bruce Fleming Play Collegiate Golf Collegiate golf at Washington State University (PAC 10; D1) Tournament victories in US/Canada Founded Play Collegiate Golf in 2008 Worked with over 30 families in USA, Canada, UK, Australia Player-clients have signed with DI, DII, DIII, NJCAA schools Featured author in Junior Golf Central Magazine for 2011 17 years experience in higher education administration in USbased institutions Recently selected as College Golf Consultant for the South Central PGA Section in Oklahoma/Kansas/Arkansas
Webinar Format Determining where you can play Building a recruiting file to get noticed by coaches and create a relationship Marketing yourself to coaches in person The roles athletes and parents play Answer your questions
Where Can You Play? Men s Golf Playing Requirements NCAA D1 < 0 hcp; < 72 average; courses at 6800 yards + Top finishes at national and regional events Compete in high ranking junior events D2 < 2 hcp; < 74 average Compete in national and regional events D3 < 3 hcp; < 75 average Compete in regional and local events NAIA < 2; < 74 average Compete in regional and local events * Programs vary based on variety of factors. Women s Golf Playing Requirements NCAA D1 < 5 hcp; < 78 average; courses at 6,000 yards + Compete in national and regional events Compete in high ranking junior events D2 < 10 hcp Compete in regional and local events D3 < 15 hcp Compete in local events NAIA < 15 hcp Compete in local events * Programs vary greatly based on college golf rankings, geographic location, and team size. Please see Play Collegiate Golf website article from September 2010 for further information on playing requirements
Creating a Relationship With Golf Coaches Creating the best letter of introduction Developing a golf specific resume Producing a swing video
Producing a Swing Video Give a 90 second personal introduction Shoot video behind and from the side of the player with the whole body in the video Use a driver and a mid-iron Take video of short game shots around green, bunker play, and putting
Producing a Swing Video Do not use slow motion in your video Do not exceed 10 minutes in length Do not have excessive audio such as background noises Do not draw lines on screen indicating position, angles, etc. Do not use special effects
Five Steps to Getting Noticed by College Golf Coaches Choose your timing carefully Follow-up with email and ask for a phone appointment Ask pertinent questions Send a follow-up Thank You card Continue the conversation
Marketing yourself to coaches in person Be prompt when meeting a golf coach Dress appropriately golf clothes are fine Be attentive during the meeting and remember you are being recruited as both a student and an athlete
Marketing yourself to coaches in person Be able to explain why you want to play college golf for that program Be able to discuss your long-term goals for academics and athletics Be able to discuss what your strengths and weaknesses are in your golf game
Marketing yourself to coaches in person Answer the questions to the best of your abilities Have some questions prepared to ask about the program do your research!! Ask questions that will help you determine if this is the best fit for you
Role of the athlete Role of the parent Responsibility of the athlete to market skills Responsibility of the parents to support this Responsibility of the athlete to ask and answer questions during a visit Responsibility of the parents to ask questions during a visit Remember school is recruiting the golfer!
Dr. Bruce Fleming Play Collegiate Golf E: bruce@playcollegiategolf.com T: 843.303.5592 W: playcollegiategolf.com