On The Plains with Carys Worby: “I’d pick Auburn in a heartbeat”

A land far away. That was once reality for Carys Worby. The United States was uncharted territory, but it became a second home during her five years at Auburn.

“I had never visited America before I came to Auburn because of COVID,” Worby said. “The borders were shut down, so my parents hadn’t been and I’d never been. I just picked Auburn on a whim, and I loved it and ended up staying five years.”

Worby grew up in Pembrokeshire, a rural area in the southwestern part of Wales. Golf was love at first swing, and by age 13 she knew focusing on the sport was the right choice. She credits her parents for helping her find local tournaments, and by 12 she was part of the Welsh National Squad.

“My grandma is the one who got me into golf, and her husband,” said the Auburn redshirt senior. “They both played at our local club. I tried every other sport there was. At home, netball, field hockey and soccer were really big, but none of them were for me.”

In pursuit of her dreams, Worby left behind everything she knew to embrace the unknown. That leap of faith gave her the confidence to take on whatever came next.

“There are so many things that you don’t even know are going to come your way,” Worby said. “When I came here, there were a couple of international girls on the team who were older than me, and they definitely helped me out.”

What she did not anticipate were the everyday challenges of adjusting to life in a new country. Tasks many take for granted became learning experiences, from filing taxes to opening a bank account and obtaining an individual tax identification number.

Despite those challenges, Worby found comfort in the people around her. She leaned into the experience and embraced the opportunity to grow.

“It’s kind of nice because now we have young girls coming in who are international, and we’re trying to pass down how to get over those hurdles a bit faster,” said the Welsh. “Being away from my parents and figuring things out on my own was a big learning curve, but I think I’m better off now because of it.”

Worby also found familiarity in Auburn’s coaching style and took advantage of the program’s facilities.

“I definitely benefited from the coaches and the practice facilities,” said Worby. “In the U.K., it’s pretty hard to find somewhere that has a balance of academics and sports. I knew pretty much anywhere I went here, the facilities were going to be great.”

If she had options, why Auburn?

“The defining factor was the coaches and, honestly, for my parents, the safety of Auburn,” said the Auburn veteran. “There were other schools I could have gone to, but they were in bigger cities. My parents really loved how small Auburn was and how safe it felt. The facilities and the coaches were just great.”

After redshirting her first year and moving in and out of the lineup early in her career, Worby became a consistent contributor in her final two seasons. During the 2024-25 season, she played in 11 events and recorded a top-10 finish at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate. In nine events her final season, she posted a 72.92 scoring average and ranks among the top 10 in career scoring average in program history with a minimum of 60 rounds.

While dedicating countless hours to golf, Worby also prioritized academics. She developed a routine that helped her stay ahead.

“What I try to do is just really pay attention in class,” said the three-time SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll member. “I think the time people have to put in afterward is because they weren’t paying attention. I try to give all of my attention in class, take great notes, and then I don’t have to do as much outside of class.”

When asked about a favorite memory, Worby pointed to a tournament on the Plains.

“A couple of years ago, we hosted a regional at home, which was really fun,” Worby said. “We won at home, which was really special, and more people came out. We don’t get to have home events very often, so when we do, it’s even more special. We’re so used to being out there by ourselves, so when the Auburn Family shows up, it’s amazing.”

Over five years, the program evolved, but its culture remained consistent. Worby now finds humor in once viewing fifth-year players as “old,” only to become one herself.

“I think coach does a really great job of picking girls who fit our culture, which is hardworking and no-nonsense,” Worby said. “We don’t really have time for complaining. We keep our heads down, and I think that’s true for all of us. That’s something that bonds us right away.”

Worby’s Auburn career has come to a close, but not before she found lifelong friendships and another place to call home.

Looking ahead, she plans to pursue professional golf and will compete in Epson Tour Q-School in September after taking some time off.

After five years on the Plains, Worby cannot imagine choosing anywhere else.

“One thing I always say is that I didn’t know anything about any of the schools before I came,” Worby said. “If I could pick again and do it all over, I’d pick Auburn in a heartbeat. Knowing what I know now, it would be such an easy decision.”