They say you only have one chance to make a great first impression. That’s especially true when you meet someone face to face for the first time. For Nicole McGuire and Coach Dave Reinhardt, their first impressions of each other have led to what looks like a great fit for the Washington University women’s golf team.

McGuire, who is from Bloomingdale, Ill., just outside of Chicago, first reached out to Reinhardt during her sophomore year at Glenbard North High School. She was already in her second year on the varsity golf team and was an excellent student. But Reinhardt told her she needed to improve her golf scores. By the time they met at a College Golf Experience camp in Windsor, Conn., right before her senior year, she had done just that.

“I didn’t really have too much communication with her during her sophomore year, but when she did come to the camp, I got to know her more,” said Reinhardt, a three-time regional coach of the year and the Jackie Steinmann Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) National Coach of the Year in 2023 when his Bears finished as national runners-up. “I found out how driven she was. And as she told me, she took what I told her about getting better to heart.”

Connections like the one Coach Reinhardt and McGuire made are great examples of the opportunities found at CGX camps and how coaches and players are able to get to know each other. It’s quality time spent on the course and in seminars and Q&A sessions with athletes and their parents, all in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

McGuire is now a freshman at the Division III school in St. Louis. She has qualified for nearly all her team’s tournaments this season and by early spring already had two seventh-place individual finishes. In high school she excelled both on the course and in the classroom, becoming the first state qualifier ever at Glenbard North. She graduated with the highest honors, as an Illinois State Scholar and LPGA Marilynn Smith Scholarship recipient. She was in both the Math Honors Society and Science Honors Society. So quite naturally, her major at Washington University is biomedical engineering.

“Coach Reinhardt was transparent about what he was looking for in his student-athletes and how he runs the program at WashU,” McGuire said. “His honesty about expectations and his approach to coaching made me feel confident that he wants what is best for his players and program. His commitment to both athletic and personal growth showed me that he genuinely cares about developing well-rounded student-athletes, making it easy to trust him and envision spending four years under his leadership.”

Their mutual trust and respect would be cemented at that camp, where they not only spoke one on one, but McGuire was able to observe her play on the historic Keney Park Golf Course at the camp.

“I don’t know what she shot that day,” Reinhart said. “I know it wasn’t 69, but it wasn’t 88 either. But I saw what she had to offer in terms of ball-striking abilities. And she’s also a great putter.”

More than that, though, Reinhardt could see her resiliency and determination. She never seemed to get down on herself or get too high. And she always had a plan.

“We all have some great shots and some not so great shots, but her routine never varied,” Reinhardt said. “All the players get a little nervous when they get around golf coaches, but I could just tell she had good resiliency stick-to-itness to her golf game.”

McGuire said she entered the recruitment process a little on the later side, so the face-to-face interactions she had with coaches at the camp were crucial.

“Emailing and talking to coaches online is one thing, but having the opportunity to showcase your character and performance in person is where you truly make connections and opportunities open up,” McGuire said. “The CGX Camp gave me the platform to demonstrate not just my game, but also my work ethic and personality, which ultimately played a big role in finding the right fit.”

The CGX camps, which are conducted in different parts of the country throughout the year, bring prospective coaches and golf prospects together in a relaxed setting.

“That’s where I glean the most on who can potentially be a part of this program,” Reinhardt said. “I really find out who is kind of going through the motions or who’s really leaning in and trying to learn as much as they can about my coaching philosophy, and if those will fit with the individual.”

Not only did Reinhardt meet Nicole, but he met her father Dan McGuire as well.

“He’s a wonderful individual too. He was a golf professional, so he knows the ins and outs of the golf business,” Reinhardt said.

Not long after the camp, McGuire visited Washington University.

“I knew WashU was the right choice after my visit,” she said. “Meeting the team, seeing the campus, and getting a feel for the academic and athletic balance confirmed that this was the environment where I could thrive. The culture of the golf program, combined with WashU’s strong academics and supportive community, made it clear that this was where I wanted to spend my next four years.”

McGuire said college life has been a mix of memorable experiences and new opportunities. Expectations are high at Washington University, both in the classroom and on the golf course, but she has embraced that. She’s enjoyed all facets of college life, including Greek life and making new friends.

“Having the freedom to shape my own experience while being surrounded by amazing people has made it even more rewarding,” she said. “Collegiate golf has been an incredibly rewarding experience, especially when it comes to team success. “There’s something special about contributing to a shared achievement and celebrating those moments together.”

Her advice to junior golfers looking for the same or similar experiences is to find a way to make themselves stand out and let coaches know why they are specifically interested in their program.

“Take advantage of any in-person opportunities like camps and tournaments where you can interact with coaches directly,” she said.

“Coaches aren’t just looking at your golf game; they want to see your character, work ethic, and how you’d fit into their team culture, so showcase it all. It is also never too late so do not give up if you aren’t getting the attention you are seeking. Walk-on spots are always an option, so stay persistent with communication and interest.”