TAMPA, Fla. – When Kendall Griffin was a kid, all she wanted was to be like her older sister, Kayla. So when Kayla decided to start playing golf again during high school, seven-year-old Kendall was right behind her, wanting to play too.
Her decision to follow in her sister’s footsteps proved to be the right one. In the 15 years since she first picked up a club, Griffin has played in and won countless FSGA events, represented Florida at USGA championships and graduated from Louisiana State University as a four-year letter winner.
Most recently, Griffin has been named the inaugural recipient of the James E. Demick Scholarship.
“I was very humbled to receive this award,” Griffin said. “I’ve known and looked up to Mr. Demick for so long. I was grateful to even be talked about for this scholarship, so words can’t even describe how honored I am to receive it.”
The scholarship is named in honor of Jim Demick, who served as the FSGA's Executive Director for 24 years before retiring last December. Demick continues to serve the game and the FSGA as President of the FSGA Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, sportsmanship and community service.
Griffin, who graduated from LSU in May, has grown up through the Florida Junior Tour and the FSGA, playing in her first event when she was 12 years old. The Sebring native is currently working towards her master’s degree in sports administration at the University of Louisville, where she is a member of the Cardinals women’s golf team.
“Kendall is a wonderful person,” Demick said. “She is an excellent golfer, but more importantly she is kind, courteous, and respectful to other players, teammates, coaches and officials. She is a role model for junior golfers. The FSGA Foundation is very proud to recognize her.”
Griffin’s journey in golf began in her hometown of Sebring. After Griffin’s sister introduced her to the game of golf, she began to learn at her local course, Sebring Golf Club, from the club’s pro Tom McClurg.
What she remembers most from those early days in golf was how fun McClurg made the game for her. She would play games at the course, where he would put a $1 bill in the cup and if she made the putt, she could keep the dollar. It was never forced for Griffin, she wanted to go out to the course to learn and have a good time.
“I loved being out there and learning from him,” Griffin said. “Without him being my first coach, I don’t know if my love for the game would be this strong.”
Griffin competed in her first Florida Junior Tour event was she was 12 years old. She was a staple at FSGA competitions throughout her junior golf career, earning a win and over 15 top-five finishes on the Florida Junior Tour, while also winning the Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship in 2013.
“I’m very lucky to have grown up and grown my love of the game through the FSGA,” Griffin said.
She has represented the FSGA at the USGA Team Championship while also being a semifinalist at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship and a quarterfinalist at the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship.
Griffin took home her second FSGA championship title in 2019 at the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship. This summer she added another FSGA major title to her resume, capturing the 92nd Women’s Amateur Championship at Hammock Dunes Club.
“Every time that I get to hoist an FSGA trophy it means so much to me because of everything that the FSGA has done for me,” Griffin said.
But more important than the wins and top finishes that Griffin has garnered, is the person she has become. Always with a smile on her face, Griffin has nothing but respect and courtesy for her fellow competitors, the staff and volunteers. And if she isn’t the one raising the trophy at the end of a tournament, you will see her cheering on her friends.
“Golf teaches you a lot of things about life – integrity, respect and character,” Griffin said.
Griffin recently graduated from LSU, where she was a four-time letter winner for the Tigers women’s golf team, where she helped lead the team to the NCAA Championships in her senior season. She graduated with a degree in marketing, was a four-time WGCA All-American Scholar and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.
“I definitely became a better player and a better person during my time at LSU,” Griffin said. “It was a great experience and I’m still close to all the girls there.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Griffin was granted another year of eligibility and decided to use that extra year at the University of Louisville. She made her way to Kentucky this fall where she joined the women’s golf team and started working towards her master’s degree in sports administration.
Griffin and the Cardinals have had a great start to year, winning their final two events of the fall season, with Griffin earning a runner-up finish at the Illini Women’s Invitational.
“They’ve really made me feel a part of the Louisville family,” Griffin said. “I’ve loved getting to be here and learning new things and meeting so many new people.”
The FSGA and the FSGA Foundation could not be more proud to have Griffin be named the inaugural recipient of this prestigious scholarship.
“I just can’t explain how much the FSGA has helped me and shaped me into the golfer and person I am today,” Griffin said.
To view the Class of 2021 FSGA Scholars, click here.
