FISHERSVILLE — Jaxson Devereux grew up playing golf in Vermont, but it wasn’t until his father, Chris, bought Waynesboro Golf and Games that his passion for the sport truly took off.
Even then, the scores didn’t come immediately.
Devereux, who recently graduated from Wilson Memorial High School and will play next season at Virginia State University, still remembers shooting a 66 on the front nine of a course.
Now, he’s the 2025-26 Daily News-Record All-Valley Golfer of the Year.
“I would say consistency [has been key],” Devereux said. “If you play every day, do something every day for a year straight, you’re bound to get better. It was probably the end of my junior year and into my senior year when I really started playing every day, going to the gym every day. I was eating right. All that kind of propelled it.”
Devereux broke into Wilson Memorial’s varsity lineup as a freshman, learning behind a talented group of upperclassmen while steadily improving his own game.
Wilson Memorial’s Jackson Devereux takes a tee shot.
Daniel Lin / DN-R
As players such as Chase Snyder starred for the Green Hornets, Devereux embraced his role and continued developing.
“It’s been a pleasure to coach Jaxson through his high school career,” Wilson Memorial head coach Trena McDaniel said. “Jaxson’s entire high school golf career has been about setting goals and achieving them. He has a relentless pursuit to develop as a player and an extremely strong work ethic. Jaxson’s performance skills also stand out. When in pressure situations, he can deal with adversity, stay focused, make good decisions and maintain a productive mindset.”
East Rockingham graduate Camden Clem, who also will play at Virginia State next season, has watched Devereux’s growth firsthand over the past four years.
2025-26 All-Valley Golf Team
“One of the biggest things that has stood out to me about him is the growth he’s made in four years,” Clem said. “He went from freshman year shooting really high scores and fast-forwarding to now shooting in the low 70s, which really shows the work ethic he has. He’s always on a golf course to work on his game, and it shows. He has earned the accolades that he has and will continue to make a name for himself, and I’m glad I get to be a witness to that in the next year.”
Spotswood’s Jacob Burkholder, one of only two other local golfers to join Devereux at the Virginia High School League Class 3 state championship last October, also developed a relationship with him this season.
As an underclassman, Burkholder said he admired not only Devereux’s talent but also his approach to the game.
“Jaxson is a great person and has been a really great playing partner,” said Burkholder, the Valley District champion. “He and I both play in a similar way where no shot really matters and it’s always onto the next.”
Wilson Memorial’s Jaxson Devereux hits a tee shot during the Class 3 state championship at Heritage Oaks Golf Course.
Daniel Lin / DN-R
Devereux finished the season with a 72.6 scoring average while capturing Shenandoah District and Region 3C championships.
He credits much of that success to staying composed during rounds.
“On the outside, I’m pretty quiet,” Devereux said. “Inside, I get pretty riled up. If the thoughts inside of me came out, I wouldn’t be playing college golf, to be honest. I just stay competitive in my mind, even if it’s just a little nine-hole match. You always want to make sure you win.”
He also credits McDaniel for helping shape his mental approach.
Take a drive around the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area, and it’s easy to understand why Jeff Simmons believes his golfers have an advantage.
“Coach [McDaniel] always talked about how important your mental game is,” Devereux said. “It’s always about the six inches between your ears. Don’t get upset about the little thing. If you hit a bad shot, you can’t get held up on it. There’s always the next one. … My coach definitely had a big hand in my success. She applied pressure when we needed it and backed off when she had to. She was a big piece and means a lot.”
Devereux capped his high school career with a runner-up finish at the VHSL Class 3 state championship at Heritage Oaks, cementing his place among the state’s top golfers.
“Jaxson has what it takes to play well at the collegiate level,” McDaniel said. “High-level competition seems to bring out the best in Jaxson. I am excited to see what the future holds for Jaxson and his golf career.”
Devereux knows there will be an adjustment as he begins his college career at Virginia State, but his goal remains the same as it has throughout high school: continue improving.
“It means a lot,” Devereux said. “Looking back and seeing where I came from, it’s kind of crazy to think about. It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’ve had a lot of people tell me how impressive it is. I’m hoping in a couple of years, I’ll be able to realize how special it was.”