Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Corner: Emily Fletcher
10/1/2015 11:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Northwestern women's golf ended 2014-15 with a Big Ten Championship and a program-best finish at the NCAA Championships. They've opened 2015-16 with a pair of Top-2 results and two Big Ten Women's Golfer of the Week honorees and, as the calendar turns to October, the team is set to host the Windy City Classic at Westmoreland Country Club on Oct 5-6. We caught up with head coach Emily Fletcher, the reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year, in this week's edition of "Coaches Corner."
NUSports.com: At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to coach?
Emily Fletcher: My journey into college coaching was atypical. I spent the first 20+ years coaching and teaching golf but not at the college level. The first time I strongly considered college coaching was when [Northwestern Director of Golf] Pat Goss approached me about applying for this position in 2008.
Is there a particular coach that you had that made a real impression on your life or coaching style?
I played numerous sports growing up and had amazing coaches along the way that were all very influential on my life. I would have to say that Pat Goss has had the greatest influence though. He has shaped me into the coach I am and continues to mentor me. Pat is a master communicator and I feel so blessed to have him consistently helping build me and our program.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
My biggest struggle is striking that balance with recruiting and enagagement with our team. When I feel really connected with our team, it feels like I am slacking a little with my recruiting responsibilities. And when I am immersed in recruiting, it feels like I am a little out of touch with our team.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
Having a front row seat to the growth and development of these young women. I admire the dedication and determination that our players show on the course and in the classroom. There is nothing better than seeing hard work pay off. It inspires me to be the best coach and person I can be too.
In what ways do you think you've changed/adapted as a coach since you arrived at Northwestern?
I am a very structured person and I think over the years I have learned to go with the flow a little more. My players will laugh at that but I am working to be a little more spontaneous!
Your sports are all very different, but can you/do you learn things from other coaches at NU?
Early on when people asked me what was the biggest surprise in coaching, I would tell them how connected I felt to my coaching peers and how much I was able to learn from them. This is still true eight years into it! Our sports may vary greatly but the hard wiring of an athlete is pretty similar. One of our strongest attributes as an Athletic Department is that my peers are great teammates to me just like I ask our players to be within our golf program.
Your roster features four All-Big Ten honorees from a year ago, a fifth that won the 2015 Big Ten Championship, and a top recruiting class. Is this year's Wildcats lineup the most talented that you've coached?
Yes it is! It's because the players that came before them elevated our program to the point where we are attracting and signing better players. They say success breeds success and that has certainly been the case for us.
What is special about Northwestern?
People and opportunity
You won't find a school with better people. It is incredible to see the support system in place within our University and Athletic Department. Specifically, I know our golf program is filled with players and coaches who will love you, support you and challenge you all along the way. We will leverage every resource possible to help our players reach their athletic and academic goals. The opportunity you have to leave here with a Northwestern degree will change the trajectory of your life.
And is there a more stunning campus with two beaches located just miles from the greatest city in the world?
NUSports.com: At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to coach?
Emily Fletcher: My journey into college coaching was atypical. I spent the first 20+ years coaching and teaching golf but not at the college level. The first time I strongly considered college coaching was when [Northwestern Director of Golf] Pat Goss approached me about applying for this position in 2008.
Is there a particular coach that you had that made a real impression on your life or coaching style?
I played numerous sports growing up and had amazing coaches along the way that were all very influential on my life. I would have to say that Pat Goss has had the greatest influence though. He has shaped me into the coach I am and continues to mentor me. Pat is a master communicator and I feel so blessed to have him consistently helping build me and our program.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
My biggest struggle is striking that balance with recruiting and enagagement with our team. When I feel really connected with our team, it feels like I am slacking a little with my recruiting responsibilities. And when I am immersed in recruiting, it feels like I am a little out of touch with our team.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
Having a front row seat to the growth and development of these young women. I admire the dedication and determination that our players show on the course and in the classroom. There is nothing better than seeing hard work pay off. It inspires me to be the best coach and person I can be too.
In what ways do you think you've changed/adapted as a coach since you arrived at Northwestern?
I am a very structured person and I think over the years I have learned to go with the flow a little more. My players will laugh at that but I am working to be a little more spontaneous!
Your sports are all very different, but can you/do you learn things from other coaches at NU?
Early on when people asked me what was the biggest surprise in coaching, I would tell them how connected I felt to my coaching peers and how much I was able to learn from them. This is still true eight years into it! Our sports may vary greatly but the hard wiring of an athlete is pretty similar. One of our strongest attributes as an Athletic Department is that my peers are great teammates to me just like I ask our players to be within our golf program.
Your roster features four All-Big Ten honorees from a year ago, a fifth that won the 2015 Big Ten Championship, and a top recruiting class. Is this year's Wildcats lineup the most talented that you've coached?
Yes it is! It's because the players that came before them elevated our program to the point where we are attracting and signing better players. They say success breeds success and that has certainly been the case for us.
What is special about Northwestern?
People and opportunity
You won't find a school with better people. It is incredible to see the support system in place within our University and Athletic Department. Specifically, I know our golf program is filled with players and coaches who will love you, support you and challenge you all along the way. We will leverage every resource possible to help our players reach their athletic and academic goals. The opportunity you have to leave here with a Northwestern degree will change the trajectory of your life.
And is there a more stunning campus with two beaches located just miles from the greatest city in the world?
Women's Golf - Emily Fletcher Joins B1G Today (5/27/25)
Wednesday, May 28
Women's Golf - NCAA National Championship Match Cinematic Recap (5/21/25)
Thursday, May 22
Women's Golf - 'Cats Claim First National Championship in Program History (5/21/25)
Thursday, May 22
Women's Golf - 'Cats Defeat Ducks to Punch Ticket to National Championship (5/21/25)
Wednesday, May 21
