Ashley Knoll, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was one of the most impressive junior golfers to come through the ranks in the past few years. Knoll competed in her first tournament at the age of 11. It was a women’s Club Championship in North Carolina.
“It was a cool experience and the ladies were very supportive of me playing in their club event,” said Knoll in an interview with the Texas Golf Association regarding her first competitive experience.
Her family relocated from North Carolina to Texas during her freshman year of high school and Knoll became a force to be reckoned with on the TJGT. She won multiple events and competed in TJGT major championships. Knoll also competed on the AJGA tour and claimed six tournament titles, along with two Polo Golf All-American awards. By the end of her junior career she was one of the top 20 ranked junior golfers in the nation going into the collegiate recruiting season.
Knoll’s accolades secured her a golf scholarship and a spot on the Texas A&M Women’s golf team. She went on to become one of the team’s most decorated competitors and a two-time All-American. Knoll won six collegiate tournaments and garnered frequent top 10 finishes as a fighting aggie.
The next step for Knoll was the professional circuit, where she qualified for the Symetra tour and Ladies European tour in her rookie season of 2007. It wasn’t until 2014-2015 that Knoll played a full professional schedule. In 2014, she captured the Texas Women’s Open tournament title and qualified for her second U.S. Women’s Open (where she made the cut at 57th place). However, The talented player suffered some setbacks early in her professional career.
“Unfortunately, I have been plagued with injuries, which have hampered my success as a professional. However, after several doses of therapy and rest, I am healthy and playing some of my best golf,” said Knoll in an early 2015 post on her GoFundMe page.
Knoll continued to compete on the Symetra tour after fundraising for the 2015 season, but only had a T21 as her best finish in 2015. She has amassed over $34,000 in career earnings as a Symetra tour professional to date.
Injuries may have set her back, but Knoll has fighting spirit and incredible mental fortitude. The golf world is not convinced that they’ve have seen the last from her. Stay tuned in 2016!
Photo Credit: www.usopen.com