In the sixth grade Jones decided that she wanted to play in more tournaments and be the best she could be.
Enrolling into the Seton Home Study School allowed Jones to compete at a higher level and spend more time on the golf course, and was competing in tournaments every week.
Late into Jones’s sophomore year of high school, Texas State women’s golf head coach Par Nilsson, then Oklahoma State women’s golf assistant coach, was recruiting Jones.
“When Par first started watching me I used to get nervous because he is so tall and intimidating,” Jones said.
Nilsson was representing one of the first bigger Division I schools that was watching Jones consistently.
“I have always clicked with Par,” said Jones. “I always enjoyed going through both recruiting processes with him.”
Jones never played under Nilsson at Oklahoma State because he accepted the head coach position at Texas State her freshman year.
Jones started in all seven tournaments as a freshman at Oklahoma State before Covid derailed the season. Despite the unexpected start to her collegiate career, Jones was part of a solid and historically rich program that was making appearances at NCAA Championships with players ranked in the top-20.
“We constantly had such strong teams, and it was hard to get in the lineup at times,” said Jones. “It showed me hard work and how to break into those lineups when it is super tough.”
In Jones’ collegiate career she has learned that self-belief is everything. “It is so easy to get down on yourself when you are not constantly playing in tournaments or qualifying,” Jones explained.
“I remember I was getting really discouraged because I was not cracking the lineup, one of my best friends would always tell me that I am much better than what I give myself credit for,” said Jones.
Following that conversation Jones started believing in herself a bit more and earned her first collegiate win at the Dale McNamara her junior season. Shortly after, Jones would also qualify for the Jim West Challenge.
When Jones decided to enter the transfer portal, Nilsson was one of the first people to reach out. Nilsson and Jones exchanged many texts messages and phone calls discussing the program’s culture, and understanding what Jones’ goals were and how they can help her reach them. Jones is finally playing under Nilsson who has now recruited her twice during her career.
“I got to know Hailey and her family very well during the recruiting process the first time around,” Nilsson said. “It is great to finally get to coach her after following her progress through the years.”
Almost a month after Jones signed to play at Texas State, she won the Ladies National Golf Association Annual Amateur Championship in Ohio.
“I had not competed since early spring, so I was nervous, and I had this big change,” Jones said. “The win was huge, and I felt that it was kind of like an answer, that I was doing the right things, and my game was headed in the right direction.”
The 2023 Jim West Challenge is set for this weekend, Oct. 22-23. This will be the fourth time Jones has competed in the Jim West Challenge, but her first as a Bobcat.
Nilsson has seen Jones emerge as a leader for this team, “she has great work ethic and always has a great attitude. Her positivity is contagious, and our freshmen enjoy following her lead.”
Jones is also the recipient of the West Memorial scholarship. “The scholarship is the reason I could come here, and I am super grateful for the West family giving me the opportunity to be here,” Jones expressed.
“The Jim West Challenge is always so much so fun, and I have always looked forward to it,” said Jones. “The whole tournament is like a party for college golf. I am excited to see what this tournament is like as a Bobcat.”
