Hampton’s Woodby signs to tee up with Emory & Henry
Published 3:54 pm Monday, May 4, 2020
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Photo Contributed by Amy Banner Hampton High School senior Ashley Woodby.
Photo Contributed by Amy Banner Hampton's Ashley Woodby looks forward to continuing her golf career at the collegiate level.
Photo Contributed by Amy Banner Hampton's Ashley Woodby watches as other players compete during a golf match in her senior year.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
After completing a successful prep career at Hampton High School, Lady Bulldog Ashley Woodby will continue her golf career as a member of the Emory & Henry Golf program in Meadowview, VA.
Woodby, who will be majoring in Political Science while pursuing a degree in Law, said the opportunity was one that came by a chance invitation.
“One of the girls who is on the E&H golf team reached out to me about coming for a recruitment visit,” Woodby stated. “Emory & Henry was not even on my radar but I thought I would give it a shot.
“The golf coach and team were so friendly to me that I just felt so welcomed and I just knew in my heart that I wanted to be apart of the team and community.”
Woodby has had the opportunity to be coached by one of the better golf coaches in the area in Wayne Ellis who coached his last season this past school year.
According to Woodby, being able to play for Ellis has prepared her for the next step in golf.
“Coach Ellis taught me how to play golf and learn everything about it,” said Woodby. “He always had my best interest at heart and always encouraged me to do my best.
“If it wasn’t for Coach Ellis stepping up and being the coach, we may not have even had a golf team and I am very thankful for him and for all he does with the school and with the golf team.”
Woodby admitted that going from high school to college and being competitive while maintaining her studies will be an early challenge but one that she is prepared for.
“I think the toughest challenge will be juggling my freshman year and playing golf but I have been told that student-athletes have better success in a classroom because of the added structure,” commented Woodby.
Unlike her senior class members at Hampton, Woodby was able to complete her final year of golf at Hampton as the sport is played at the beginning of the school year.
However, that didn’t take the sting away from her being able to graduate and celebrate with her classmates on completing their high school years.
“My saying during times of struggle is “Everything happens for a reason,” Woodby said. “I think that knowing seniors everywhere are going through this together makes it less painful.
“I think the most heartbreaking thing about this situation is not being able to go and cheer on our boy’s basketball team at state. To all of my fellow seniors, I hope that you continue to stay strong and remember to keep in touch with your family and friends. Always remember, God is in control!”
Woodby was asked what would be some memories of being able to be a part of the Hampton golf team during her high school career.
“I would say my favorite memory would be during my junior year, which was my first year playing, we got runner up in the district,” Woodby stated. “I do not think that Coach Ellis has ever been so proud of us.
“Another memory would be from this year when our fellow senior Izaak Hill made it to state and placed 25th!”
With a limited amount of ladies on the current Emory & Henry team, Woodby hopes her addition will help spark other female high school players to consider joining the Wasp team.
“I personally think that I will bring the opportunity to inspire more females to play the sport considering there were only two females on the E&H golf team this year,” Woodby added. “I also think that I will bring diversity with my Appalachian culture.”
Since Woodby only started golf in her junior year, she had advice for others who might want to participate in golf at the prep level.
“Some advice I would give is to practice as much as you can to get better, listen to your coaches, be an inspiration to younger athletes, and always remember to just enjoy the sport!”
