Jose "Pepi" Suarez '21 Recruiting Profile

I am very interested in playing golf at a collegiate level because I want to compete at the highest level and be part of a team that will help me strive as an individual in the future.  I would greatly contribute to your golf team and school program because of how my discipline and desire to do well in the classroom carries over to my golf game. I am looking forward to the challenge of college golf and want a team that will push me to the next level, both academically and athletically. I am particularly interested being part in a strong business program, as I want to pursue an entrepreneurial career when I graduate college.  

My story:

I started playing golf 1 1/2 years ago (summer of 2019) in my home course, "TPC Dorado Beach East." I began by myself with a pretty lousy swing and could barely hit the ball straight. It was frustrating in the beginning, but nothing was going to stop me from getting better. I persevered and started to play competitively. My results were mostly in the 90s, and I was finishing dead last in every tournament. It was tough knowing that I was last; it embarrassed me. But as I look back, I could not have gotten to where I am today without having these experiences.

Anyways, I kept practicing and practicing until one day, I asked my dad if I could go to attend a golf summer camp. So he sent me to IMG, where I spent 3 weeks just absorbing information from everyone around me. I learned the fundamentals of the golf swing and understood how to get myself around the course. When I came back home, I talked with my parents and eventually decided to board at IMG as a junior. I packed all my things and left for Florida, where I planned to pursue my dream of being a college golfer. The transition was tough, but eventually, I got a feel for what it was like and focused on my goal. I practiced around 5 hours a day and did physical and mental training for another hour. I also played in many tournaments during the year but was not doing any good. 

 Then Covid-19 struck the world; I had to go back home and had nothing but time. I told myself I was going to work until I could not walk. I was in the course every day from 10am to 6pm, trying to get better. I put blood, sweat, and tears into the game and started to see progress. I sharpened my short game and started meeting with my coach 4 days a week. I spent around 4 months just working and working. Then it was time to come back to IMG, we planned to go to the first tournament of the season at lake buena vista, where I shot a first round of 77 and a second round of 72; T6 finish. I knew I was ready to compete, and my game was progressing. My next tournament was the 3rd Notah Begay Qualifier at las colinas resort, and I shot a first round of 76 and a second round of 75; I finished T14 out of 85 players. I struck the ball very well, but I wanted to do better; I knew I could. So I kept working hard with my coach at IMG and entered my next tournament at Palm Aire CC. This time, I won. This win taught me that my hard work was paying off. My stroke differential has been approximately 15 strokes gained in less than a year. Playing college golf and representing my school colors not only on the golf course, but academically would be an honor I will carry for the rest of my life . Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile .