Rylie Rodriguez made history as the first Odessa College women’s golf signee Wednesday at the OC Sports Center.
The Midland Christian senior put the pen to paper in a ceremony where Odessa College golf coach Paul Chavez and athletic director Wayne Baker spoke on the future of the program and where it’s headed now that a local prospect was signed to stay in the area.
Chavez mentioned the relationship he has cultivated with Rodriguez over four years of working as her swing coach and how that played a role in helping her decide that her future belonged with the Lady Wranglers.
Before choosing Chavez’s program, Rodriguez was committed to play golf at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the NCAA Division I level.
“I have a lot of personal ties with her, we have a good connection and I think that played a big role in her decision to come to Odessa College,” Chavez said. “She was committed to a D-I two years ago and at that time we didn’t know Odessa College was starting women’s golf.
“Once we did, I would say that’s probably my best recruiting job.”
The head coach said starting the recruiting class with a local prospect was a priority because it sets the tone for the rest of the program moving forward.
The women’s golf program is set to begin competing in fall 2022 and Chavez will be joined by assistant coach Taylor Clark, who is also an assistant volleyball coach.
During Rodriguez’s ceremony, Baker said he and Odessa College president Dr. Gregory Williams always felt that starting women’s athletic programs was a natural part in the development of an athletic department.
“I think we’re going to be very competitive in women’s golf next year,” Baker said. “I’m very excited not only for the opportunity it gives our college and the young ladies of the Permian Basin to be able to play golf at Odessa College, but also I believe that the golf here is at a caliber that we can be competitive right away.”
Throughout her high school playing career, Rodriguez has received multiple accolades, including qualifying to play at the Champion of Champions international world championship tournament held in Ireland in the summer of 2022.
Rodriguez played golf at both Midland Christian and Permian over her time in high school.
She set the course record at Gaines County Golf Course in Seminole, shooting a 6-under 66 to help her team win the Seminole Invitational last weekend.
Even though her first official semester at Odessa College is seven months away, Rodriguez said she is ready for the challenges being collegiate golfer can bring.
Her bond with Chavez made her choice to attend the school easier.
“College is going to be my second home soon and knowing that I already have such a great relationship and such a deep bond with him was just another wow factor to this school,” Rodriguez said.
The new signee added that she believes the program is meant to help players grow and boost their confidence before looking to move forward in their playing careers.
Rodriguez believes staying close to home will be beneficial throughout her time in college.
“I think that it’s going to push me to grow as a person as well just because I have so much support and I think that’s going to elevate me to go on to bigger and better things when that time comes,” she said.
Chavez is currently in his 24th season coaching the men’s program and next year will be his first coaching women’s golf.
His men’s team will host the NJCAA National Preview starting Thursday at the Odessa Country Club, with the venue also hosting the 2022 NJCAA Division I men’s golf championship in May.
“Being able to host a national championship is definitely something that we have strived to do over the past few years and unfortunately COVID kind of hit us,” Chavez said. “But we’re able to get that tournament back and it’s a great event not only for Odessa College, but for the community and for the public in general.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
