AUBURN, Ala. – With the spring season just around the corner, it's time to get to know the newcomers on the Auburn women's golf team. First up is Morgan Jones, a freshman who grew up in Auburn and has been an Auburn fan her whole life. Last summer, prior to Auburn, Jones won the Alabama Girls State Junior Championship. She finished the event at 13-under.
1. What is the biggest golf highlight of your career?
Jones: My biggest golf highlight would have to be winning the Alabama Girls State Junior this past summer. It was an incredible experience and something I'll never forget. This is the biggest state tournament for us, and so to be able to win that my senior year – when that was the final chance I had to play in it – and to have a final round of 64, that was a pretty awesome way to end it.
2. You grew up in Auburn. What made you want to come here to play golf?
Jones: Seventh grade is when I wanted to start playing golf seriously, and I always loved Auburn since I was a kid, so choosing here wasn't very hard. It was always the goal of mine to get here, and Auburn is so much like a family. To grow up here going to football games and all the sporting events as a kid and now to be going to these sporting events as a college student, it was always one of my big goals.
3. What was it like growing up in Auburn? Do you have a favorite memory?
Jones: I definitely remember going to all the football games. It was something we always did. I would dress up in cheerleading outfits that my mom would give me, and my whole family would always go. We would tailgate. So my favorite memories would be doing that.
4. What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
Jones: Rolling Toomer's Corner whenever we have a win. For any sport. I love it.
5. Do you have any pre-tournament superstitions?
Jones: I wouldn't say pre-tournament superstitions, but when I'm playing if I have a bad hole with a golf ball, that golf ball will never see the course again for the rest of the day. Or potentially the tournament depending on how bad the hole was.
6: What is the best piece of advice you were ever given? Why did it stick with you?
Jones: When I was younger, my mom told me, 'Remember why you're playing. You're playing because you love it. It's one of your favorite sports to do. Don't play it for the win.' You're always playing to win but play it because you love it and remember why you're playing golf. Because golf can get really frustrating at times, so remember your why.
7: What are you studying at Auburn? What do you want to do?
Jones: I'm planning to study accounting with a minor in business analytics. I'm not quite sure what I want to do with that in the future, but I was able to talk to some of my dad's former students and so I definitely have a good idea of what the possibilities an Auburn accounting degree can get you.
8. What is something most people don't know about you?
Jones: When I was younger, I learned how to play the harp because my mom was a harpist. I can still play some simple songs. I learned 'Do you want to build a snowman?' My mom was a harpist. She played at weddings and stuff. Her big thing was teaching my brother musical instruments.
9. As a student-athlete now, what does the Auburn Family mean to you?
Jones: It means a lot, especially being a student-athlete now. You see all the support that you get from your teammates, from fellow students, and the environment on campus is just unreal.
Nine Holes with … Morgan Jones
