We recently expanded the ProDreamUSA staff team and one week into the role, Alyssa Henderson is relishing the opportunity to offer her vast insight and experience to help clients through the recruitment process.
Like the rest of our workforce, our new Golf Consultant within our Client Support Team has “been there, worn the t-shirt” when it comes to golf scholarships. A business graduate of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, Alyssa spent four years Stateside as a student athlete, before launching into a career in and around the golf industry.
Part of the NCAA D2 Newman Jets women’s golf from 2009 – 13 (pictured below, standing 3rd from left) , Alyssa combined her love of golf with her passion for business and managed a well-balanced blend of practicing and competing alongside studying, in addition to volunteering in her local community.
“It was challenging but very interesting,” says Alyssa, who has played County level golf on both sides of the border for both Northumberland Ladies and East Lothian, where she now resides. “I loved playing golf and getting to travel and compete in different places all over the USA, but I also really enjoyed the academic side. It’s vital to remember that you are a student first and an athlete second and it’s really important for our new clients to focus on fulfilling their education requirements while going through the recruitment process.
“One of the best things about being in the States was being able to take advantage of the amazing facilities we had at Newman. The golf courses were superb, but so too were the indoor facilities we had for practicing in the winter which was a massive bonus. Our coach (Don Farquhar) was amazing too and did everything he could for us. He certainly sacrificed alot to help the team and that coach-player relationship is absolutely integral to your success.”
Since returning from the States, Alyssa enjoyed a number of roles on the business side of the golf industry, initially working for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts before moving to The Renaissance Club just outside North Berwick, host venue of the ASI Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Opens, where she worked in Member Services then onto the Business Development team.
Her new role at #TeamProDream is focused on helping clients through the various steps of the process, ensuring they are completing the necessary requirements in areas such as Visas, I20s and NLIs, and passing on her expert advice.
“I’ve spoken to around 20 clients in my first week on the phone or via email and I’ve really enjoyed it. I see my main role as getting our clients their best position possible to be successfully recruited. The fact that I can identify with them and their challenges is a big positive, combined with my first-hand knowledge of golf.”
Alyssa doesn’t have to look too far for further insight, with husband Neil being a professional golfer and an Alum of Old Dominion University in Virginia, having himself been a ProDreamUSA client.
“It’s good to see things from his perspective as a Tour professional as he knows what it takes for a golfer to make it, but also the importance of having something to fall back on. That’s why I would stress to all our clients that the academic is just as important as your golf.”
Welcome to the team!
To get in touch with Alyssa to discuss our client support services, please e-mail alyssa@prodreamusa.com.
Comments