GRIFFIN AWARDED INAUGURAL JAMES E. DEMICK SCHOLARSHIP
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, sevenyear-old Kendall was right behind her, wanting to play too. Her decision to follow in her sister’s footsteps proved to be a good 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. He 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.”
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