By AL MILLEY

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – The late Wayne Poindexter introduced his daughter to golf and he continues to be an inspiration as Becky Poindexter prepares for another level, playing collegiate golf.

Poindexter, 18, signed a full golf scholarship to attend Elon University following her graduation from Martinsville High School.

In signing, Poindexter became the first man or woman to sign a full golf grant at Elon. It was a big step for someone who hated the game as a youngster.

"My dad took me out to play at Forest Park Country Club when I was seven, and I hated the game. Dad knew I didn’t like golf, so he let me drive the golf cart to please me. I guess it was his way of bribing me to play the game," Poindexter recalled with a smile.

"It wasn’t long before I fell in love with golf, and I just wish dad was here to see what I’ve accomplished," she added in remembering her dad who passed away in 1999 at age 54. "Dad was my first golf mentor, and he instilled in me the inspiration to improve. Golf remains my tie to him, my connection, and I think of him every time I tee it up."

Poindexter is quick to point out she also receives a lot of support from her mother, Joyce. "I started playing junior tournaments at age 11 and I played eight or ten a summer. Until I could drive, mom drove me all over the East Coast and provided me with moral support."

Poindexter was scheduled to play in the Virginia State Golf Association Juniors one week after her dad died. She had decided not to play, but changed her mind after a show of support from her family and friends.

"I didn’t want to play, but a lot of friends told me they thought my dad would want me to play. It was a very emotional week, and I did better than I expected," she added of reaching the finals before losing when Kansas Gooden rolled in a 50-foot putt on the final hole.

The strong showing was a factor in Poindexter later being named the VSGA Junior Player of the Year for 1999.

Poindexter had other strong performances. She won the district and regional titles as a sophomore and won the district as a senior at Martinsville High School.

She tied for first in the national George Holiday Juniors at Myrtle Beach, S.C. and has been a member of the Virginias team for matches against Maryland and North Carolina.

She has played in the Women’s VSGA State Amateur since age 12, playing in the championship flight three times and reaching the finals in the first flight twice. She won the first flight this year.

Poindexter recently was a member of the eight-player Virginia team that beat Maryland in the third Virginia-Maryland Junior Girls’ Team Matches, 21.5 to 14.5. Her victory on the final day of play helped the Virginians expand a one-point lead after the first day of doubles play.

Poindexter was recruited by numerous colleges, deciding on Elon following a visit to the campus. "I wanted to stay in North Carolina and I fell in love with everything at Elon, the coach, the other players, and the courses we would be playing on," she added of Alamance Country Club, Indian Valley and The Challenge at Hideaway Farm.

Elon women’s golf coach Chris Dockrill saw Poindexter play just once, he said that was enough. "We were recruiting other girls who were just as good as Becky, but I offered her the full ride because I felt she was the total package. My philosophy is to recruit good people who can play golf. Becky has the personality and she has the desire and determination to learn and improve.

"I felt she’s that good," said Dockrill when asked why he gave Poindexter the school’s first-ever full scholarship in golf. "I feel Becky will make an impact to our program and she will help raise Elon to another level in golf.

"She has yet to play a round of golf for Elon, but I’m happy with my decision and I think Becky will prove I made the right decision."

Kelley Phillips, Poindexter’s golf coach for the past four years, agrees with Dockrill. "Becky is an excellent player, but more than that she’s a special person," said Phillips, head instructor at Greensboro Country Club.

"Becky has come a long way in our four years. She hits the ball with consistency and keeps the ball in play, but her biggest strengths are her course management and that she understands what her strengths are. I also feel one of her strengths is her inner strength.

"Becky had to make a big adjustment when her dad died. He was there for her all the time and provided her with support. They had a special relationship and we did too, he was a great guy. Now, with dad gone, Becky has had to learn to play golf on her own. I know she thinks of him all the time, but she has the inner strength to use his memory as an inspiration.

"We can now talk about her dad and it’s a positive. She’s a stronger person, and she will do well on the college level. I feel Elon was a good choice," Phillips added. "They have an excellent golf program and the small-school atmosphere will be good for her."