Ruby Haylock '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ruby Haylock, I'm currently 16 years old and have been playing golf for about 14 years. My parents got me hooked on the game as soon as I could walk, even before that they'd push me around in a stroller on the course. I consider the golf course my home. Through golf I've met outstanding people who have supported me and pushed me to do my best ever since I was little. My mom, dad, and sister play competitively as well. We have the best time when we're out on the golf course together. We like to have at least one match or competition every time we go out to play or practice, we're a very competitive family. 

I got started in competitive tournaments at the age of 8. I did the drive, chip and putt and some junior events. I played in my first Maine Women's Amateur when I was 10 and absolutely loved it; it's always been my favorite tournament of the year! When I was 12 I was chosen to travel to New Mexico to compete in the USGA Women's State Team Championships. My sophomore and junior years of high school I won the Maine High School Individual Championship; I came in second my freshman year. This summer I competed in the Maine Women's Amateur and went into a two person sudden death playoff with a collegiate All-American golfer that I've looked up to for several years; I ended up chipping in for the win!  That's the most memorable moment of my career, so far! My hard work and dedication has paid off as I was recently named the 2020 Maine Player of the Year by the Maine State Golf Association.

Growing up, my teachers have always described me as a role model and leader inside and outside of the classroom. I find it very important to stand up and try to help others. In middle school, my cousin and I organized an after school group called "Study Buddies" as part of a Girl Scout project. We stayed after school to help other students catch up in class, guide them through homework, and study for upcoming tests. Our teachers were extremely impressed by the turnaround some of these students had on their grades and overall learning in the classroom. School and maintaining good grades has always been a priority of mine. I like to help others as much as I can so they can reach their full potential. 

The school board approved the golf team as a varsity sport my freshman year after not having a team for 5 years. I was selected as team captain for my 3 years of high school by my teammates and coach. We had a team of mostly new golfers, besides my best friend and myself. We still wanted to do well as a team and be good competition for other schools, this meant we had to put in a lot of work. Our team spent many hours practicing. We'd get matches going against each other on weekends to prepare for the real season matches. There were several nights we'd be on the course with flashlights practicing our putting, trying to get as much done as we could for that day.  I worked with the kids on the team as much as I could. I got them going before the official season started and worked with them on swings, mental strategies, and simple rules. I learned a lot about the game through this and realized how important the basics of golf are. It is easy to overthink situations but while I was teaching them I noticed how they need everything simplified. I'd tell them "just focus on making contact and getting it back out into the fairway." I use this with myself as well, during tournaments if I get into a tough situation or a difficult lie I do my best to keep my plan as simple as I can. Our team Moto has always been "hard work and dedication pays off." We stayed true to this and won the KVAC's, our conference tournament, our second and third years as a team.

In college I'd like to play competitive golf and do the best I can to improve my golf game. My plan is to study sports management and eventually earn my PGA certification. I'd like to be an athletic director and coach college golf. I'd like to be part of a competitive team that'll work together to be successful and help each other maximize our potential. I'm very excited to take this next step of furthering my education,  playing college golf and making good friends along the way. 

Thank you for taking time to read about me! If you're interested, please contact me. I'd love to get to know about you and your school.