While pursuing a degree in international business, Ashley Rogers of Pace High School will have the opportunity to play golf for Loyola University after signing a golf scholarship with the New Orleans university recently.
Rogers steadily improved her game on the golf course, since first joining the school’s golf team her freshmen year, she said. In her senior year, Rogers advanced from the regionals to the Florida High School Golf State Championships, in which she tied for number 19 in the state.
The love of playing golf can be traced back to her family, Rogers said.
“My dad got me into it…then I just fell in love with it,” she said. “I love how you are on your own and it’s not so dependent on other team members.”
In his first year as the girl’s golf coach for the school, Karl Jernigan said coaching Rogers was a learning experience.
“She taught me things throughout the year,” Jernigan said. “She would say ‘hey coach, try this with your golf game.’”
Jernigan said Rogers is talented in several different aspects of the game.
“She is money with a driver,” he said. “Her iron play is very good…her short game improved a lot this year.”
Rogers’ academic achievements and hard work ethic on the golf course will only benefit herself and Loyola University, Jernigan said.
“I think this is a great accomplishment for her and a great beginning because anytime you get an opportunity to play golf and be able to get your education paid for helps,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing how she progresses,” Jernigan said. “To be honest, I think her best golf is still ahead of her.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace: Rogers opts to play golf for Loyola University (VIDEO)