Around The Commonwealth |
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Lanto Griffin is using his platform as a PGA Tour professional to give back to junior golf , specifically with
Youth on Course .
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Golf is a very expensive game and to give kids the opportunity to get involved at an early age will grow the game . I feel that if kids are willing to work hard and want to be great , they should have the opportunity . Golf has taken me all over the world and I ’ ve met so many amazing people along the way . I ’ ve dedicated my entire life to this game and it ’ s given me so much . None of which would have been possible without The Hill , which is where I fell in love with golf . So giving that opportunity to the next generation is very exciting for me !
VG : How important is Youth On Course ’ s access in regards to growing the game at a grassroots level ? LG : Providing an opportunity to young golfers with a place to play and practice is so important . Golf is a sport that grounded me during a time when I lost my dad , going to The Hill every day and having a safe place to be gave me purpose and a path to success . I appreciate being able to contribute to a cause that can provide the same opportunity to other kids .
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LG : I feel like it ’ s the best way I can say thank you to all the generous people who helped me get to where I am today . Giving back and seeing the excitement kids get from the game of golf is extremely rewarding . I ’ m living proof that golf can be a life-changing game if given the opportunity , so that ’ s my goal for the next generation .
VG : Having taken the long and winding path that you did to the PGA Tour , what kind of advice would you give to someone in a similar position , trying to achieve that goal ? LG : Keep grinding ! Each stage is a learning opportunity , a quote that I live by is : " Learning how to win at each level takes time , but that ' s what you need to succeed ." It ’ s important to grind to get better each day and appreciate where you are in the moment .
VG : Some course talk : What are some of your favorite venues on the PGA Tour schedule ? LG : Torrey Pines , Pebble Beach , Kapalua are a few of my favorites .
VG : What ’ s the most fun pairing you ’ ve had in the last few years on Tour ? LG : I played three rounds with Viktor Hovland at The Farmers this past January and he ’ s a lot of fun to play with . Also , playing with Vijay ( Singh ) at my first Masters last November was really cool . Vijay has become a great mentor and friend over the past year .
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CHRIS LANG |
his illness , when my dad would bring me to junior clinics . Steve understood me and the way I saw the game . He took me under his wing . When my dad passed , Steve called and offered me a membership at Blacksburg . From that day forward , Steve pushed me along in golf and his passion for the game was contagious .
VG : What is it about Youth On Course ’ s mission that appeals to you ? LG : The fact that Youth On Course makes golf more accessible to kids is incredible .
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VG : What are some other ways you have given back to golf in Virginia since you ’ ve found success on the PGA Tour ? LG : I started a charitable trust that will focus on supporting families battling terminal illness and provide scholarships for youth to help them achieve their dreams in all sports . I was able to fund the trust with winnings from BirdiesForeLove after winning the Houston Open . I am excited to continue to grow the charitable trust this year with my inaugural Lanto Griffin Charity Classic golf tournament Sept . 20-21 at Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke .
VG : What kind of feeling is that for you , as someone who received help along the way to fulfilling your dream , to be able to give back now that you can ?
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VG : Tell us a little about your stamped wedges . Where did that idea come from , and what are some of your favorite quotes on those wedges ? LG : Aaron Dill is the wedge king at Titleist and we come up with them together . “ I ’ m never going to financially recover from this ” is one of my favorites . It came from the Tiger King documentary .
VG : Having grown up and played high school and college golf here , what are some of your favorite courses in Virginia ? LG : Ballyhack in Roanoke , Hermitage Country Club in Richmond , Country Club of Virginia all come to mind . Virginia has a lot of great courses . Hoping that the PGA Tour will come back to Virginia one day !
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