Outstanding first email contact formula!

You’ve done your research on college golfing programs. You have the contact information for the head coach and assistants. Now it is time to make first contact. In a previous post we explored various ways to contact a coach. In this post we will drill down and focus on the email and how to compose an email when first contacting a college golf coach.

The best approach is a tried and true method used over and over by companies worldwide. Your job is to adapt it to your audience and your product (You). Outlined below are the steps and concepts that should be included when you email a college golf coach for the first time. Here’s the approach:

Professional Email as Your Pitch

Think of your email as a sales pitch where you are introducing a valuable product – yourself as a prospective golfer for their program. It should be professional, well-structured, and compelling. It is not to close the deal….it is an introduction with some information to orient the coach on the reason for contact.

To borrow from a golf analogy, it is only the first shot at the first tee box. Just as in a round of golf you will have many more shots to make, you will be making many more contacts with the coach. This is just a starting point.

Clear Introduction as a Product Highlight

Start with a clear introduction of who you are, akin to highlighting the key features of a product. Include your name, high school, grade, and briefly touch on your golfing background and academic achievements. Again brevity is key because it is not to make the sale, it is to introduce yourself.

Expressing Interest as Market Research

Show that you’ve done your research on their program (like a salesperson understands their market). Mention specific aspects of their golf program that align with your skills and interests.

Highlighting Achievements as Product Features

Detail your golfing and academic achievements as key features of the product. Just like in a sales pitch, you want to showcase why your product (your skills and achievements) is appealing.

Attachments as Product Brochure

Optionally, you may include your athletic resume and highlight video link as informative brochures that provide a more detailed look at the product. This gives the coach a chance to see your abilities in action.

Ask for Next Steps as a Call to Action

Just as a sales pitch includes a call to action, end your email by politely inquiring about the next steps in the recruitment process. This shows initiative and opens the door for further engagement.

Thank and Follow-Up as Customer Service

Conclude by thanking the coach for their time, like providing excellent customer service. Follow up if you don’t hear back, showing commitment to establishing a connection.

Example of How to Email a College Golf Coach

Here’s a modified example of how your email could start:

Subject: Prospective Student-Athlete for [College Name] Golf Program

Dear Coach [Last Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], a junior at [Your High School]. I am reaching out to introduce a potential asset to the [College Name] golf team – myself. My journey in golf and academics has shaped me into a dedicated, skilled player, and a committed student, mirroring the excellence of the [College Name] golf program.

In reviewing your team’s impressive [mention specific achievement or aspect], I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic environment. I believe that my [mention a key golf achievement] and academic standing of [mention GPA] align well with the standards of your program.

Please find attached my athletic resume and a video showcasing my golf skills, offering a glimpse into what I can bring to the [College Name] team.

I am keen to learn more about the process of joining your esteemed program and would appreciate any guidance you can offer.

Thank you for considering my interest. I am excited about the prospect of being a valuable addition to the [College Name] golf team.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

This approach sets the stage for “selling” yourself as a valuable addition to their golf program, starting with an introduction that piques interest and invites further discussion.

Final Thoughts on Emailing a College Golf Coach

A couple things to reinforce, this is an introduction. It is like you are on the first tee box. You just want to get it in play to get the round started on a good note. This intro email is intended to make a good first impression. It might take 5-7 more interactions for them to remember you. That is OK, remember depending on the size of the program they may be getting dozens of emails every week. It is the follow up and continued expression of interest that will get you noticed and help them remember your name and interest.