Dave Kendall, Ferris PGM Alum, Michigan Golf Hall of Famer, Talks about the Importance of Giving Back
The late winter sun is glinting off the snow covering the driving range at Kendall Academy in Ypsilanti as Dave Kendall squints into the blue sky to watch the flight of a well-struck golf shot.
The student, recently recovered from a hip injury, is finding his rhythm as Kendall demonstrates a drill to help increase flexibility. A burly, 61 Kendall shows a surprising range of motion in his turn.
Dave Kendall is a member of the first spring class of the Ferris State University PGA Golf Management program and one of the first 20 to graduate from the program. Kendall was among the first two in the country to become PGA Head Professionals from a Professional Golf Management Program.
Among his many golfing career accomplishments, in 2014 Kendall was ranked the #2 teacher in Michigan by Golf Digest, and is a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
Humbled to be a member of the 2015 Hall of Fame class, Kendall shares his enthusiasm for the $4 million campaign to create the Ferris State PGA Golf Management Learning Center and the new Michigan Golf Hall of Fame at Katke Golf Course.
“I would like to see Norm’s name on something in the new Golf Learning Center. Together we could all contribute something to be meaningful for what Norm meant to the PGM program.”
The Ferris PGM program influenced Dave Kendall’s life. He met his wife, a Ferris dental hygiene student working in the Katke Golf Shop. Dr. Gary Wiren, Ferris PGM co-founder, helped Kendall get his first job at Cadillac Country Club in 1980. Katke Golf Course professional, and Ferris PGM alum, Ian Ziska worked for Kendall at Cadillac.
“I have a golf academy with my name on it. I have had great mentors in the PGA, and now I have this opportunity to give back.”
Support the PGM Campaign and New Michigan Golf Hall of Fame with Dave
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