Lindsay May signs with Clemson

Lindsay signs letter of intent to play golf at Clemson University.

Lindsay joined by Lynn and Mike, signs her letter of intent to play golf at Clemson University.

Lindsay May signs with Clemson

Lindsay May is headed south next fall.

After years of communication with coaches, campus visits, and scholarship offers, Lindsay May made her college decision official Wednesday.

The Auburn High School senior, who quickly gained notoriety by winning the first of her three state championship as an eighth-grader, signed a letter of intent to play Division I golf at Clemson University next fall.

After visiting 10 schools and narrowing her list to three, May verbally committed to join the Tigers last January. She said she is glad that she took her time to mull over the offers.

“I don’t really believe in committing in eighth or ninth grade. It’s too early, especially since you haven’t been through high school yet,” May said. “I think you need to develop as a player and a person. When I decided on Clemson, I was really set on it because I was a junior, I knew where my golf was heading and I was confident in it.”

For May, Clemson seemed like the right fit. Her cousin David May — who went on to play pro in the Web.com Tour — was a Tiger, and she also hit if off with Clemson’s coaches, Kelley Hester and Heather Bowie Young.

“Ultimately, Clemson is in our family, and I really love the coaches that are there,” May said. “I really loved the school and the atmosphere down south.”

May surprised many by winning her first New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship as an eighth-grader, repeated her freshman season, and set a state record with a low score of 140 to become the first girl to win three girls golf state championships as a sophomore. She finished a few strokes short of winning title No. 4 last spring.

May’s dedication to the sport year-round has continued to elevate her game.

“I play all summer long, then I take maybe a month off,” May said. “I love playing in the wintertime and being able to go down to Florida. It gets me excited for the high school season that starts in April or May.”

During the signing ceremony, Auburn girls golf coach Sarah Pitcher noted that May also excels off the course. May has been on the high honor roll all four years of high school and is active in multiple clubs, such as the Future Business Leaders of America, Student Government, and Varsity Club.

“As your coach for the last three years, I couldn’t have asked to work with a more committed or humble young lady,” Pitcher said. “This young lady has accomplished so much, not only on the golf course but in the classroom as well. She’s the true definition of what we want to see in our student-athletes.”

While she has one more high school season left, May is looking forward to getting started with Clemson.

“I’m sad that it’s over because it means my high school career is almost over,” May said of making the decision, “but I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life.”

http://auburnpub.com/sports/local/auburn-s-lindsay-may-signs-letter-of-intent-to-play/article_87fb42ce-1ac6-5d9e-98f5-df918ee3a861.html