I am not eligible for the event where my “dream school” coach is recruiting.

Cayla S. from Florida asks:

I am not eligible for the event where my “dream school” coach is recruiting.

What can I do?

I must tell you that I am a “can’t make who made it.” Never give up kind of person. However, the harsh reality may be that your dream school coach is recruiting at a level that is out of your reach at the moment. (While college coaches look for potential, many want to see numbers on the board to go with your potential.) The reality is that no one knows if you will ever reach that level or possibly climb higher than that level. My advice is to continue to sharpen and develop your game. Keep improving. You cannot have a sharp enough short game. You have heard it a million times already, but short game, short game, short game!! Get your ball in the hole in fewer strokes. If you want to impress a college coach, hit 9 greens or less and put an under par score on the board. They know that is what you will need to do at the collegiate level. It is hard to handle studies, friends, sport and family in your freshman year. As a backup plan, look for coaches that recruit at events with levels similar to the ones in which you are playing, and find a school with a program that is within your reach. You want to have options. My last bit of advice is to say that if you really, really want a particular program and you are not at their level, but it is all or nothing for you to play at that school, then you need to find something else to “offer” the coach until your game arrives. There are some programs out there that will take a chance on great grades, solid sportsmanship and a dedicated person. Tell them you will be the best in the weight room, you will take care of the SAAC for the team, you will fill the volunteer hours, you will help increase the team GPA and you will be the best teammate ever if they give you a chance. Let me impress that this is no time for cheap talk. You are responsible for everything you say. You will need to live your words and back them up with action. If you are not willing to do that for 4 years, then do not offer it. You, your teammates and the coach want to have a good experience.