Kendel Hodges
(August 17, 2011)–Kendel Malik Hodges is no stranger to the challenges of life and he maintains a positive attitude, no matter what the circumstances. Kendel (age 13) admits that when it comes to golf, his greatest challenge is maintaining mental focus and he is committed to doing what it takes to take his game to the next level and reach his goals.
“Just days before my 9th birthday, during an annual post-chemotherapy treatment, I was told by my cardiologist that I have mild systolic cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, that affects the squeeze and flow of blood out of the heart.”
“The doctor also told me that I could no longer play basketball or any other rigorous sport because of the diagnosis. This caused me great sadness, and so, my parents researched other activities,” says Kendel.
His parents, Mikel and Chrisanya Hodges, discovered that golf was a perfect alternative sport.
Born in San Diego, Calif., Kendel currently resides just a little over 58 miles from there, in Temecula, Calif. His introduction to the sport is an inspiring episode of courage and determination.
“I live close to the golf course and they suggested it. Before I knew it, I had signed up for a clinic and I’ve been golfing ever since,” says the 3.8 handicapper who has played in the San Diego Junior Golf Tour, Western States Golf Association/The Honors Golf Club and on the 2011 Tiger Woods Foundation National Junior Golf Team.
Kendel has also participated in the Bill Dickey Invitational at the Golf club of Georgia (June 2011). As the youngest in the field by 2 years, he finished 8th of 25 in the boys 13-18 year old division.
“Most of the time I play my rounds with my best friend, Michael Pugh. We started playing golf at the same time, at the same golf course–Red Hawk Golf Club in Temecula, Calif.,” says the 8th grader who holds a cumulative GPA of 3.8 with college aspirations are aimed for Stanford, Harvard, or University of Southern California.
“During the summer I play or practice daily. During the school year I play/practice 4 times weekly,” he states.
“During this 2011 golf season, I have 9 first place finishes in tournament play. I won my first San Diego Junior Golf Association in February at The Vineyard Golf Club of Escondido. It was a fantastic way to kick off the season! During summer play, I won the WSGA 31st Annual Allen Bennett Junior Golf Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, and seven of my 1st place finishes were in the Valley Junior Golf Association/First Tee of Riverside.” Kendel also participated in the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship were he place tied for 96th at the Riverwalk Golf Course in San Diego.
Kendel’s wins are backed by years of expert golf training sessions. “After about 4 months of weekly group golf clinics, I began private lessons with PGA Teaching Golf Professional Steve Adamiak at Redhawk Golf Club in Temecula,” he says.
“Coach Adamiak’s instruction benefited me greatly, giving me more confidence in my swing,” he adds.
Kendel is a cancer survivor and has been cancer free from rhabdomyosarcoma for 10-years. Outside of playing golf he enjoys watching golf, playing video games and relaxing with his family. I’m sure we will all be hearing much more about Kendel’s successes in the years to come.
