University of Tennessee Athletics
COLE'S CONFIDENCE SOARS UNDER PAVON'S TUTELAGE
October 10, 2001 | Women's Golf
Oct. 10, 2001
By Josh Pate
Confidence is something that is often developed among athletes. For Lady Vol golfer Caroline Cole, it has become a way of life.
"With me, it's all about confidence," Cole said. "You can be a good player and have a good swing, but if you don't have the confidence, you're not going to get there."
According to Lady Vol head coach Judi Pavon, things were not always that easy for the senior from Mansfield, Texas.
"She has a good swing and she's a very hard worker," Pavon said. "But her problem was that she was doubting herself on the course.
"Last year, she worked a lot with the sports psychologist on course management and that really helped her."
Cole's newly-found confidence turned her collegiate career around. After a disappointing season in 1999-2000, Cole worked hard to change her swing and to get the mental edge that she needed. Her hard work paid off.
During the summer of 2000, Cole won the Collegiate Players Tournament, an open amateur event in Texas. She also placed third in the 2000 Collegiate Players Tour Nationals, an invitational tournament for college amateurs.
"The summer after my sophomore year was an important one for me," Cole said. "I really changed my swing a lot and worked on it the hardest I've ever worked. I played so much better last year."
Last season for the Lady Vols, Cole played in all 10 tournaments, with her score counting in 24 of the 29 rounds. Her consistency also dropped her stroke average from 82.07 to 77.38 while allowing her to shave a stroke and a half off her career average.
"She's always had strong performances, but now she's more consistent and that's a big factor," Pavon said.
Cole credits much of her recent success to Pavon, who was promoted from assistant to head coach after Cole's sophomore season.
"I didn't have a very good sophomore year, and she really helped me," Cole said. "She's really good for our whole team, and she's easy to work with. She gives us a lot of confidence, and I think that's one of the most important things for golfers to have."
The confidence that Pavon has brought to the team has helped Cole focus on playing up to her potential. Cole said things are much easier knowing she can do what she wants on the golf course.
"I can stand over a putt and know I'm going to make it," she said. "It really helps when you realize your coach has confidence in you. We understand that she knows we're really good players."
It was that type of support and confidence that brought Cole to Tennessee. Although she almost canceled her recruiting trip, Cole decided to give the Lady Vols a shot after experiencing the success and tradition of the women's athletics program.
"The program is awesome," Cole said. "There are a lot of people supporting us here, and it's not like that everywhere else.
"On all the other recruiting trips I went on, everything was focused toward the men's programs. But here, with the separate programs, there's so much support for the women."
Heading into her final year with the Lady Vols, Cole's success on the golf course has also spilled over into the classroom. Last year, she was a member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll for the first time.
"It's so hard to balance studying, practice and everything else," said Cole, who is majoring in business at Tennessee. "I had some hard classes last year so it felt good to know I did well."
Pavon is counting on Cole to set the standard for some of the younger players on the team. She expects Cole's actions off the course to be influential as well.
"Carrie is really a classy young lady," Pavon said. "She looks nice, behaves well and she never breaks any team rules. She is a good role model for the other players to look up to."
Cole may have a few more players looking up to her in the future. Although playing at the professional level would be a dream come true, her primary goal is to follow Pavon's footsteps in the coaching ranks.
"I think every golfer wants to play professionally, and I'll try it after I graduate," Cole said. "But eventually, I want to coach. I like teaching the game, and I think it would be really fun to work with college players."
For now, Cole must concentrate on finishing her career with Tennessee.
The Lady Vols are fresh off a ninth-place finish at the 2001 NCAA Fall Preview and are currently ranked No. 14 by Golfweek Magazine.
Cole and the rest of the Lady Vol golfers now turn their focus to hosting the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships, which will be held Oct. 12-14, at the Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club.
Click Here for Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships, including live scoring updates.
