Ball State University Athletics
Women’s Golf Welcomes Transfer Ashley Kirkland
June 10, 2026 | Women's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The reigning Big East Freshman of the Year is headed to Muncie, as sophomore Ashley Kirkland will transfer to Ball State and join the women's golf team starting in the 2026-27 season according to head coach Cameron Andry.
"I couldn't be more excited to add Ashley to our team," Andry exclaimed! "I have wanted to coach her since I saw her play for the first time back in 2021. She is talented, passionate, and driven to reach her goals. She is a proven winner, helping her Xavier team to the Big East Championship last season, and an all-around wonderful person who will be a tremendously positive addition to our program."
As a freshman at Xavier last season, Kirkland helped guide the Musketeers to the Big East Championship title and a team berth into the NCAA Louisville Regional, playing in the No. 5 slot in both events. She shot a low round of 74 (+2) in the final round of the Big East Championships, while carding a 71 (-1) in the second round of the NCAA Louisville Regional.
"I am super excited to join the Ball State women's golf team," Kirkland said. "Coach Andry was a big part of my decision, and I believe in what he is doing for the program. I see a lot of success in our future!"
For the year, she played in 10 of the team's 11 events and ranked fifth on the squad with a 76.1 scoring average. She played five of her 30 rounds at-or-below par, including a career-low 68 (-4) in the opening round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate. The round tied as the team's third lowest of the season and helped Kirkland lead the squad and tie for eighth overall at the event with a score of 214 (-2).
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Castle High School prior to starting her collegiate career, Kirkland was a three-time runner-up at the IHSAA State Championship (2022-2024) and helped the Knights to a fourth-place finish at the state championship her sophomore season. A three-time All-State selection and a four-time All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference First Team honoree, she was named team MVP in each of her final three seasons and was a two-time team captain.
Along with her high school career, Kirkland qualified for and competed in the 2024 US Girls Junior Amateur Championship at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California alongside Ball State teammates Taylor Larkins and Lexi Ray. She also tied for 28th at the 2024 PGA Junior Championship at Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland with scores of 74-69-74-80.
Kirkland was named Indiana Miss Golf in 2025 and won the 2024 Indiana Girls Junior PGA Championship by seven strokes with a score of 146 (+2). Her opening-round 70 (-2) was the best round of the event at Purdue's Ackerman-Allen Course. She also recorded three top 10 finishes at the Indiana Girls State Junior Championships (2022-2024).
Along with her accolades above, Kirkland competed in Golfweek Junior Tour, Indiana Junior Golf Association and the PGA Junior events during the summer. She claimed a pair of GWJT victories.
"I couldn't be more excited to add Ashley to our team," Andry exclaimed! "I have wanted to coach her since I saw her play for the first time back in 2021. She is talented, passionate, and driven to reach her goals. She is a proven winner, helping her Xavier team to the Big East Championship last season, and an all-around wonderful person who will be a tremendously positive addition to our program."
As a freshman at Xavier last season, Kirkland helped guide the Musketeers to the Big East Championship title and a team berth into the NCAA Louisville Regional, playing in the No. 5 slot in both events. She shot a low round of 74 (+2) in the final round of the Big East Championships, while carding a 71 (-1) in the second round of the NCAA Louisville Regional.
"I am super excited to join the Ball State women's golf team," Kirkland said. "Coach Andry was a big part of my decision, and I believe in what he is doing for the program. I see a lot of success in our future!"
For the year, she played in 10 of the team's 11 events and ranked fifth on the squad with a 76.1 scoring average. She played five of her 30 rounds at-or-below par, including a career-low 68 (-4) in the opening round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate. The round tied as the team's third lowest of the season and helped Kirkland lead the squad and tie for eighth overall at the event with a score of 214 (-2).
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Castle High School prior to starting her collegiate career, Kirkland was a three-time runner-up at the IHSAA State Championship (2022-2024) and helped the Knights to a fourth-place finish at the state championship her sophomore season. A three-time All-State selection and a four-time All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference First Team honoree, she was named team MVP in each of her final three seasons and was a two-time team captain.
Along with her high school career, Kirkland qualified for and competed in the 2024 US Girls Junior Amateur Championship at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California alongside Ball State teammates Taylor Larkins and Lexi Ray. She also tied for 28th at the 2024 PGA Junior Championship at Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland with scores of 74-69-74-80.
Kirkland was named Indiana Miss Golf in 2025 and won the 2024 Indiana Girls Junior PGA Championship by seven strokes with a score of 146 (+2). Her opening-round 70 (-2) was the best round of the event at Purdue's Ackerman-Allen Course. She also recorded three top 10 finishes at the Indiana Girls State Junior Championships (2022-2024).
Along with her accolades above, Kirkland competed in Golfweek Junior Tour, Indiana Junior Golf Association and the PGA Junior events during the summer. She claimed a pair of GWJT victories.
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