Republic golfer Baylee Rayl has signed to play college golf at Drury University. She is one of the most successful golfers in Republic history, qualifying for the state tournament three times in four years. She competed in at state in her freshman, junior, and senior seasons, falling just short of qualifying her sophomore year.
“Your support means a lot to me, it really does,’ Rayl said to her family, coaches and classmates. “I want to think to think my mom and dad and sister for their support.”
Rayl joins her sister, Payton Rayl, on the Drury golf team.
“With all the struggles I’ve been through, it feels awesome to get that signed. All of the stress is lifted off my shoulders,” Rayl said. “It’s such an accomplishment, even if anything didn’t happen, it’s such an accomplishment to go to Drury. It’s a great school, athletically-driven, as well as athletics.”
Rayl’s showing at state this year was among her best, as she finished 16th overall. She was near the top of the leaderboard for 27 of the 36 holes, before a difficult back nine on the tournament’s final day knocked her out of contention. She was also the Central Ozark Conference champion in 2012.