Southeastern Louisiana men’s golf coach Jake Narro admits to having a few butterflies when the Lions teed off for the first time at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate in September.
Sure, Narro was a veteran golf professional who had played in PGA Tour events in the past. But this was his first experience in coaching a collegiate squad since being named the Lions’ head coach just nine days prior.
“I was a bit nervous, unsure of myself,” Narro said. “I’ve played so many tournaments in my life but I was playing. I wanted to gain some immediate credibility.”
Narro takes over for long-time Southeastern head golf coach Tim Baldwin, who led the Lions to the NCAA Regionals five of the past seasons before accepting the same position at Louisiana-Monroe last summer.
"Jake brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to our golf program," Southeastern Athletics Director Jay Artigues said upon Narro’s hiring. "He will be a good role model for our student-athletes. We expect Jake to continue the tradition of excellence in the classroom and competition that our golf program has established."
Narro said he picked up the game from his dad. But it was baseball Narro excelled in growing up until deciding to switch to golf his sophomore season in high school. He went on to play one season at the University of Southern Mississippi before going to work at Beau Chene Golf and Racquet Club in. He has also served as a professional at the Bayou Oaks Golf Club, Lakewood Country Club, Riverlands Country Club and most recently, the Country Club of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
As a player, he has twice been named the Gulf States Section Player of the Year (2003 and 2012). During his career, Narro has won six Gulf States Section championships (2000, 2002, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2014).
Narro, who earned his degree in general studies from SLU in 2014, has family ties to Southeastern. His wife, Dr. Amber Narro, is an associate professor in the SLU Department of Languages and Communication, while one of his five children, Shayne, is a SLU student. The Narros are also the parents of Alex, Blane, Harris and Olivia.
Over those years of both playing and teaching golf, Narro said there are things he’s ultimately learned about the game.
“I’ve played in 10 Tour events and 10 to 15 Web.coms and National Club Pros, probably 25 or so really nice events,” Narro said. “And ultimately a good shot is still just a golf shot. Just because there are sky boxes and the Golf Channel and TV cameras, and David Feherty, all that’s there, it’s still just a golf shot. If you can just settle in and make your heart beat like it is right here, right now - if you can just goof around and be yourself and have fun in those big moments, you’re going to do fine.
"I know who a good golfer is. I’ve seen it. They (his players at Southeastern) qualify. They’re good. I’m just trying to make them believe in that.”
