Carla Bourdeaux, originally from southern France, has become a key member of the Coastal Carolina women’s golf team after transferring from Texas State. Her recent success includes winning the individual title at the Tot Hill Farm Invitational this past fall, a milestone she attributes to increased discipline and focus in her training.
“I had more discipline and focus during my practices this year,” Bourdeaux said. “It was really nice to see that it’s paying off. It showed me that I’m on the right path.”
Bourdeaux’s approach to improvement has been shaped by coaching both in France and at Coastal Carolina. She maintains regular contact with her coach in France while also participating in Coastal’s weekly competitive challenges. These include match play formats and skill-based goals, and she currently leads the team’s match play leaderboard during the offseason.
Adjusting to life in the United States posed challenges for Bourdeaux, who arrived just two and a half years ago with limited English skills. She described feeling homesick at first but noted the opportunities available for student-athletes in America compared to France.
“It was very different. I was very homesick because I was so far from my family,” she said. “But I love it here because there are so many opportunities.”
Her introduction to American golf came during a tournament in Las Vegas, which made an impression due to the country’s size and its system allowing athletes to balance academics with sports.
Bourdeaux did not always plan on playing golf; she initially focused on horseback riding until circumstances led her to try golf at age 13. Within a year of starting, she decided she wanted to pursue it professionally.
“Maybe a year after starting to play golf, I knew I wanted to do that,” she said. “Not specifically the U.S., but I knew I wanted to go pro.”
Her parents have supported her journey despite being far away—her father works as a helmet designer for Formula 1 drivers and her mother is involved in real estate. They recently traveled together to watch her compete in Virginia Beach.
At Coastal Carolina, Bourdeaux found alignment with head coach Katie Quinney and appreciates the team’s sense of unity.
“When I talked to coach about what I was looking for, we just matched,” she said. “The girls are so close. Communication is really important.”
In addition to athletics, Bourdeaux is studying sports media and journalism with ambitions of playing professional golf and working in sports reporting. For now, her attention remains on helping Coastal Carolina aim for another Sun Belt Championship appearance.
“I believe in the girls,” she said. “We can do great things.”
