At the conclusion of the 2020 golf season, it appeared Autumn Dowdy’s golfing career was ending with her Kentucky High School State Tournament performance.   She became the first Lady Bomber to advance to the second day of the tournament and was leaving the golf course for the final time thinking of all her accomplishments and that her career was complete. She had received a few offers to continue playing at the college level, but she did not feel it was a good fit for her, so she turned her attention to focusing on just academics in college.

Then a couple of week ago, things changed.  John A Logan College in Carterville, IL had an unexpected opening.  A sophomore scholarship player decided not to return for her second season, and that started some things into motion that allowed the Lady Vols to look and fill the opening.   Those led to a meeting between the Dowdy and John A Logan Coach Lauren Bond-Clark, which resulted in Dowdy being offered a scholarship for the Lady Vols program.   “Everyone said amazing things about her (Dowdy) and when I have been around her, she has a great attitude.  Really determined and focused,” said Bond-Clark.  For Dowdy, it is an opportunity she could not refuse.  “I am very blessed that I get this opportunity.  I want to give all the glory to God,” said Dowdy following her signing ceremony on Thursday, April 29^th at the Ballard Memorial High School Gymnasium.  “You could not get a smile off my face the whole time I was there,” added Dowdy on her visit to JAL.  It also allows Dowdy to join high school classmate and friend Mady Calvin who will be playing basketball for the Lady Vols.

“I would say her determination and desire.”  Those are the attributes her high school Coach Lisa Glisson said that allowed Dowdy to be so successful.   Glisson added, “She has worked so hard and I really proud that she chose John A Logan.  I think it is a perfect match for her.”  For her new coach Bond-Clark, she said of her new signee, “She plays well under pressure and on the big stage.  I think with my coaching and what we can offer at John A Logan, we can get her to the next level.”

Dowdy gives much credit to her older brother Austin as a driving force for her getting involved into golfing.  She said she did not like golf initially but watching Austin play and making it to the All A State Tournament, she decided she wanted to stop watching him play and wanted to give it a try herself.  “I really found a passion for it and really thought this is what I want to do, and it is very good opportunity for me.  I am excited.” That passion led her to start playing competitively her freshman year and eventually leading to an All A State Tournament and Kentucky High School State Tournament appearance her senior year.  Her new JAL team just won their Region 21 Tournament Championship and will be traveling to Daytona Beach, FL to compete in the national tournament.  Dowdy looks forward to joining her new Lady Vol teammates in the Fall and add to her success on the golf course and in the classroom.