LEESBURG — For Lee County senior golfer Ayden Haller, persistence and passion have paid off. On Thursday afternoon at Lee County High School, Haller signed his letter of intent to play golf at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee, where he will also pursue pre-veterinarian studies.
Haller’s journey to the college golf ranks wasn’t an easy one. The son of Zach and Sarah Haller of Leesburg first picked up the game during his middle school years. Yet, despite his enthusiasm, he didn’t make the team the first year he tried. Rather than give up, he used that setback as fuel to improve his game. Now, after years of dedication, he’s set to compete at the collegiate level.
“My dad set some big footsteps for me to fill,” Haller said. “He played college golf when he was younger, and from the start, I’ve always felt like I had to live up to that. It wasn’t always easy, but today I did that. My dad didn’t just teach me how to play, he showed me the passion, the motivation, the heartbreak, and the fun that comes with the game. I wouldn’t be the golfer I am without him.”
As he reflected on his journey, Haller made sure to thank his mother, his grandparents, his teammates, and his coaches who joined him for the ceremony. Among them were Lee County head golf coach Dwayne Suggs and middle school golf coach Mimi Haggerty—the coach who cut him from the team in sixth grade. Far from holding a grudge, Haller said that experience played a pivotal role in his growth.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Haller said. “I want to thank the university for giving me this opportunity and for every person who helped me get to this point.”
Lincoln Memorial University, located in Harrogate, Tennessee—just 55 miles north of Knoxville and next to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park—is known for its strong golf program. Competing in NCAA Division II, the “Railsplitters” men’s golf team earned a No. 3 national ranking in April, a fitting destination for a young golfer who has always aimed high.
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