Student becomes the teacher

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Chris Kennedy has competed at every level during his golf career.

Now, the Lakewood Ranch resident and professional golfer is taking on a new challenge — one he hopes will land his alma mater a spot in the Class 1A state tournament.

Kennedy assumed the role of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School’s boys golf coach over the summer, following in the footsteps of his father, Mike, who coached him when he was at Cardinal Mooney.

“Coaching is my backup plan if (playing professionally) doesn’t work out,” Kennedy said. “I want to coach college golf, so I decided to get a job coaching somewhere. My dad actually coached me at Cardinal Mooney when I played there. Now he’s my assistant.

“It’s a little role reversal,” he said. “He’s the organizer of the group, and I’m more the hands-on coach.”

Kennedy began going on the course with his father when he was about 4 years old, but it wasn’t until he was 12 years old that he began taking the game seriously.

“I played a lot of sports growing up,” Kennedy said. “I was playing golf and basketball, and my dad sat me down and said, ‘If you want to be really good, you need to pick one sport and practice it year-round.’ I was a little too slow to play basketball.”

During his junior year at Cardinal Mooney, Kennedy advanced to the state tournament as an individual. He went on to play golf for the University of North Florida, where he earned a degree in sports management.

“I just like competing,” Kennedy said. “Being outside and working outside is never bad, but, overall, it’s the competition and being in the heat of the moment.”

Upon graduation, Kennedy turned professional and has spent the past year competing on the West Florida Golf Tour. In mid-September, Kennedy will begin Q-School for the PGA Tour.

But, for now, Kennedy is focused on helping his players improve and realize their true potential — something his father taught him years ago.

“I think it’s just going to be fun watching the guys improve and seeing how good they can really get,” Kennedy said. “I’ve competed at every level — high school, college and now professionally. I think I can help the guys a lot because I know what they’re going through and the pressure (they’re under) and I can help them through it.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].