Starting fresh in a new place can be daunting, especially when that place is nearly 6,000 miles away from everything you have ever known.
This is a reality Lou Rousselot, a senior studying kinesiology-wellness management while also helping lead Houston Christian University’s Women’s Golf Team, faced when she decided to leave her hometown in Saint Tropez, France to further her education and pursue her passion in Houston, Texas.
During her time at HCU, Rousselot has broken two school records and earned All-Conference Honors for three consecutive seasons. Though the course wasn’t always easy, her community, resilience, and faith in God have helped her become the champion she is today.
Rousselot’s story starts at age six, when her father, a former professional boxer turned golf instructor, introduced her to the sport.
“When I was younger, I remember I always wanted to be with my dad, so he suggested I take the weekly classes at the golf course he worked at,” she recalls.
Her father’s passion for athletics became her inspiration. With his guidance and a few classes, Rousselot began dominating in local youth championships, and by the age of 14, Rousselot earned herself a spot on the French Nationals Team where she continued to shine.
She shared, “Back home, it’s either you go to college and you don’t play a sport or after high school, you go professional. I love golf and I wanted to keep playing, but I also wanted to have a career.”
This realization led her to explore opportunities beyond the Riviera, where she could continue to grow in her sport but also allow her to further her education.
After researching different golf programs across the U.S., Rousselot reached out to HCU head coach at the time David Shuster. He quickly set up a meeting, where he made her feel valued and welcomed, expressing strong interest in having her join the team.
This personal attention and genuine connection made a lasting impression on Rousselot, leading her to verbally commit and a few months later sign a contract to play for the Huskies.
Despite a challenging first year navigating the American school system and overcoming a language barrier, Rousselot credits her smooth transition into this new environment to the support of her professors.
She says “The teachers are great, especially for athletes, they’re very supportive.”
But what truly made the difference was the community she built with her teammates. Spending countless hours training together, traveling together, and competing together helped them form a bond unlike any other.
“We’re like a family. Since I’m not from here and I don’t have any family here, the fact that we’re all close to each other brings me so much joy.”
She continues, “I love being able to share victories with them and even if we lose, we know that we’re all gonna lift each other up”
Her teammates not only helped her find her place at HCU, but they also helped her grow in her relationship with God. Outside of practices they conduct team Bible studies, attend church together, and pray through tough moments with each other.
“It’s one of the best things that could have ever happened to me!” Rousselot shared.
Through the ups and downs in her college career, Rousselot has learned to lean on God in moments of doubt or fear. She finds comfort in prayer, taking a moment to ask for peace and strength before every match.
“It’s like a source of motivation to keep going, to try harder, ” she says.
Rousselot’s hard work has paid off tremendously.
Her freshman year she won the Husky Invitational competing on her own. She was named Southland Conference Golfer of the Month in 2022, racked up a total of 11 Top 10s and five Top 5s, broke an HCU record with a four-under-par (68) in 2023, then beat her own score in 2024 with a six-under-par (66).
Rousselot also earned Second-Team All-Conference Honors for three years in a row and was recognized by Chi Alpha Sigma for her high athletic and academic achievements.
With all her accomplishments and her senior year coming to a close, Rousselot is hopeful for a bright future in the LPGA. She is currently playing her 4th season with the Huskies while also training for the highly competitive “Qualifying School.”
“Every day when I go to practice, I want to play well for the team, but I like to think it’s gonna impact my future as well,” she says.
Q School is a series of tournaments where golfers go to compete for a spot in professional golf tours. This multi-stage process where players compete for a limited number of spots is her next step in climbing the professional golf ladder.
Rousselot’s journey from the picturesque streets of Saint Tropez to the fast-paced city of Houston is truly a testament to her courage and faith. As she moves closer to her goal of playing professional golf, she carries with her the strength and peace that have defined her time at HCU.
Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how challenging the task, with resilience, faith, and community, anything is possible. And for Rousselot, the best is yet to come!
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