They were SC state champion golfers. Now, they are headed to Power 5 programs
When Clemson started a women’s golf program eight years ago, Isabella Rawl knew she wanted to be a part of it.
On Wednesday, the Lexington senior officially did when she signed her letter of intent to play for the Tigers’ women’s golf program. Rawl verbally committed to play for Clemson as an eighth-grader and never wavered from her decision.
”I have been a Clemson fan my whole life,” Rawl said. “I just know Clemson was the place for me ever since I was little. When they got a women’s golf program, I think I was in the sixth grade or maybe younger than that, I knew it was the place for me.”
Rawl was a two-time Class 5A individual state champion in 2018 and 2021, and she joined LPGA professional Lauren Stephenson as the only Lexington golfers to win multiple individual state championships. She also was part of four Wildcat team state titles during her high school career.
Rawl finished her career with a 70.8 scoring average and 11 tournament victories.
Rawl was one of two Lexington girls golfers to sign Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period. Molly Hardwick signed to play with Ole Miss of the Southeastern Conference.
Like Rawl, Hardwick was an individual Class 5A champion when she won it in 2020 and was part of four Wildcats state championship teams. She didn’t play her senior season at Lexington after her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, but came back Wednesday for her signing ceremony.
“I just liked everything about it,” Hardwick said of Ole Miss. “The coaches are amazing. We loved the school, and the program they have built is awesome. Every step along the way, it just felt right.
“This is what we have worked for our whole junior golf careers. I know we aren’t done but just to have all the excitement that all the hard work we have put in is starting to pay off.”
Hardwick won 11 individual chanpionships at Lexington and is ranked No. 15 for Class of 2022 in the latest Girls Junior Golf rankings. She advanced to match play at the 2021 USGA Girls and tied for 26th at the 2021 Girls Junior PGA Championship.
In all, Lexington had 14 signees on Wednesday. For baseball, it was Nathan Hall (Clemson), Cole Long (North Greenville) and Caleb Warren (Limestone). Signing to play softball were Sarah Gordon (Louisville), Riley Ford (Pitt Community College), Perl Rouillard (Kennesaw State) and Jessica Senn (Mars Hill). Cross-country signees were Julianna Gonzalez (North Greenville), Hunter Hartung (Lander), Justin South (Limestone) and Zander Jeffcoat (Belmont). Alexis Sexton signed to play women’s basketball at Francis Marion.
