Katie Griffiths is following her in brother’s footsteps to play golf in the NCAA.
Griffiths has signed a letter of commitment to Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday.
“It’s something I’ve been working towards since I was young and my dad (Bob) got me to change over from hockey to golf,” said the 17-year-old Notre Dame student.
Griffiths played hockey until Grade 8, but didn’t give it up completely. In fact she got back into it last winter, playing with the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs major midget team.
“It was fun and a good way to finish my hockey career,” she said. Griffiths had several scholarship offers to the States, but only visited JSU.
“I talked with several other coaches, but after visiting Jackson I had my mind set on going there,” she said.
Former NFL running back and kick returner Eddie Payton, older brother of NFL great Walter Payton, is the golf coach. Last year the JSU women’s team finished second in the Southwest Conference championships to Alabama State.
“They have a solid program and good coaching,” said Griffiths, who has spent a good deal of time over the last couple of years competing, and training, in Arizona during the winter.
While at home she has competed against her brother Zak, who just finished his second year at the University of Nevada, Reno. In fact both siblings will be home this summer.
“We’ve always been competitive and pushed each other . . . it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “This summer I’ll be at home and play in some junior events to prepare for next season.”
She’ll play out of River Bend Golf Course and plans on playing on the McLellan Ross/Sun Junior Tour as well as the Maple Leaf and Canadian Junior Tours. She’s also looking forward to the provincial junior championship, which she missed last year because of an elbow injury.
She’ll leave for Jackson in the middle of August to “get orientated and set up” prior to the season.
Griffiths sees her driving and putting as her strengths.
“I’d like to say my putting and I can usually hit the ball farther because I did play hockey,” she said. “It was good to help build strength.”
But she also know what she has to work on. “My short game,” she said. “But there’s always different parts of the game to work on.”
l Zak is looking at possibly playing in a number of pro events this summer, if he qualifies, and then may turn his attention toward the PGA Tour. He’ll take time to see if he wants to return to Reno, or try to turn pro.