Amateur Greg Davies, six-time Michigan Open Winner Scott Hebert, PGA teaching professional David Kendall and LPGA star Kelly Robbins were inducted in Michigan Golf Hall of Fame ceremonies Sunday at Ferris State University.
Greg Davies, a West Bloomfield resident, was named Publinx Player of the Year eight times — a record — and has four Publinx State Match Play wins. He is the only golfer to win the Michigan Publinx trio of major titles in the same year. Davies also won the GAM Mid-Amateur (2003, 2005) and GAM Mid-Senior Amateur (2013) titles. He considers his 2006 Michigan Amateur win as his greatest golf accomplishment.
After playing college golf at the University of Oklahoma, Davies made the Publinx Honor Roll 18 times, the GAM Honor Roll eight times and was in the “Sweet 16” at the Michigan Amateur nine times.
“I never thought this was possible,” Davies said. “I always just enjoyed the process, the practice and trying to accomplish things. To think I’m going in the Hall of Fame with Kelly Robbins, Scott Hebert and Dave Kendall is such an honor, so humbling.”
Escanaba native Scott Hebert’s six Michigan Open Championships have him tied with Al Watrous, who was a member of the Hall’s first class. Hebert also owns seven Michigan PGA Championship titles, just three short of Watrous’ record in that event.
Hebert turned professional in 1993 and won twice on the NGA Hooters Tour after winning the state championship six times. He considers his biggest win the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship, which is the top prize for club professionals.
Hebert recently became head professional at Traverse City Golf & Country Club.
“This is clearly one of the highlights of my career,” Hebert said. “I look at the names of the golfers in the Hall of Fame and I’m humbled to have my name with them.”
David Kendall, 60, was a member of the PGA’s inaugural Professional Golf Management class at Ferris State and the first in the class to become an A1 PGA Member. He was ranked No. 2 on Golf Digest’s list of Top Teachers in Michigan. He has been named Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year twice, Golf Professional of the Year twice and was inducted into the Michigan PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2013.
Kenall’s first head job was at Cadillac Country Club in 1981. Later, he moved south to Ypsilanti where he established the Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf.
As a player Kendall has won the Michigan Senior Open championship twice, the Senior PGA, Senior Match Play, the PGA State Pro-Am, the State Pro-Pro three times and played on six Fuller Cup teams.
“I can’t believe I’m in the Hall of Fame,” Kendall said. “And this class I’m going in with great champions. I’m so happy to be the fourth golfer in this group.”
Kelly Robbins was a Major winner (LPGA Championship) on the LPGA Tour. In all, she won nine times. Robbins also was a member of six Solheim Cup teams and assistant captain of the 2009 Solheim team.
At the University of Tulsa, Robbins was a two-time All American and led the team ot the NCAA title in 1988. Along with Annika Sorenstam, she was 1991 NCAA co-Player of the Year.
After winning the North and South Amateur in 1991, she turned professional. Robbins had 91 career top ten finishes, won $5,738,599 and is second only to Hall of Fame member Meg Mallon among Michigan golfers in LPGA earnings and titles. Her career was cut short by a back injury and her last Tour appearance was in 2005.
Robbins was unable to attend the ceremony. Her award was presented to her parents.
The foursome’s election brings the Hall of Fame’s membership to 109. Ferris State’s Katke Golf Course is the home of the Hall of Fame, which will soon be part of a planned new golf facility.
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