Louise M. Ball ’85 chose ĻӰ because she wanted to attend a smaller school with a more intimate setting. When Ball visited the campus in Winchester, she loved the feel of the campus, the town and surrounding area. “I’m from New England, and I loved being near the mountains,” said Ball. “My advisor was very friendly and made me feel very welcome.”
During her time at Shenandoah, Ball loved playing sports, traveling to all the different schools and learning about the entire surrounding area. And, to this day she still maintain relationships with several of the women she competed with while attending the university.
Ball is a teaching professional and is currently serving a three year term as the national vice president. She is also lead on the LPGA National Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as well as the National Education Committee. Ball is also an instructor for the LPGA Global Education Team. Ball teaches private instruction, group lessons, golf camps and playing lessons to men, women and children. As a teaching professional, she incorporates all aspects of golf into her lessons to help her students become successful, which includes mental strategies and fitness.
Throughout her career, Ball has won numerous awards, including the , Teacher of the Year, Junior Golf Leadership Award (three times), Goldie Bateson Service Award and Jeri Reid Spirit Award. She also donates lessons to various charities, has run numerous charity golf events, plays for and teaches Special Olympic golf athletes and volunteers at a local Basset Hound rescue.
Some of Ball’s most rewarding experiences in her career are having numerous students receive college scholarships for golf, receiving LPGA awards as voted on by her peers, teaching leadership courses for the LPGA, and being asked to speak at the LPGA National Summits. “I take pride in the everyday golfer achieving new levels of success in golf as a result of our work together,” said Ball.
Ball’s education from Shenandoah has taught her many things and ultimately prepared her for the career she has today. “As a student-athlete, your time management is important,” said Ball. “I minored in psychology and have used much of that in my understanding of people, which in turn has helped my teaching.”
Ball’s advice to students is: “Be a continual learner. Have a growth mindset. Be a team player and learn leadership skills. Be honest and approachable.”