Kennedi Lee is not your typical graduate student. As a standout athlete at Texas Southern University (TSU), Kennedi is rewriting the narrative for Black women in golf, blending her love for the sport with a powerful drive to break barriers. What started as a simple game of Wii Sports has transformed into a remarkable journey that has brought her to the prestigious PGA Works Collegiate Championship.
A sports management graduate student at TSU, Kennedi is quickly making her name known on the national stage. With a passion for representing her school, her community, and the future of Black women in golf, Kennedi Lee proves that the tee box is as much a place for innovation as it is for tradition.
MadameNoire caught up with the graduate student during the 2025 PGA Works Collegiate Works Championship, held at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., from May 5 to May 7, to learn more about the standout rising star.
MadameNoire: Kennedi, you mentioned getting into golf through Wii Sports with your brother. Tell us more about who you are and describe how the transition from the video game to real life was sparked.
Kennedi Lee: Thank you for having me! I’m currently a grad student at Texas Southern University, studying sports management. I’m originally from Mansfield, Texas, and I got into golf because of playing [the Nintendo] Wii Sports with my brother. Growing up, I played soccer, but when I stopped, my parents suggested I try other sports, and golf was one of them. I didn’t know anyone who played, but after trying it out in real life, I got hooked. Golf was challenging, almost like a puzzle I needed to solve, and I’ve been playing ever since.
That’s such an interesting way to get into the sport! What has your experience been like as a student-athlete at Texas Southern? How has the university shaped you, both on and off the course?
Being a student-athlete isn’t easy. It’s taught me a lot about time management and balancing academics with athletics, which translates to adulthood. Golf has also taught me to adapt and handle both good and bad shots—lessons that apply to life. You learn how to get over setbacks quickly, which is something that’s invaluable both on and off the course.
That’s great advice, especially for those who struggle with setbacks. Speaking of learning, you’ve worked with the I’m a Golfer Foundation and coached juniors. Tell us more about that experience and how it shaped your view of the sport.
I’ve interned with the I’m a Golfer Foundation and even coached juniors at Cedar Crest Golf Course. It’s been rewarding to introduce young people to golf, especially in underserved communities. There’s a lot of talent out there, and it’s great to be a part of something that gives kids the opportunity to develop their skills. Golf has so many benefits, and I’m passionate about making it more accessible.
It’s amazing that you’re giving back to the next generation. Do you see yourself as a pioneer or trendsetter in the space of Black women in golf?
Initially, no. I didn’t think of myself as a pioneer. But after realizing how many young Black girls look up to me, I see the importance of representation. When I started, I was often the only Black girl in the field, and I didn’t think much of it. But now I understand the impact it has on others, like one 11-year-old girl I coached who admires me and sees what I’m doing as possible for her, too. It’s humbling to know that I’m helping to create a pathway for others to follow.
That’s incredibly inspiring. You’re clearly breaking barriers. What does it mean to represent Texas Southern University, HBCU culture, and your community on such a big stage like PGA Works.
Representing Texas Southern at the PGA Works Collegiate Championship means a lot to me, especially since this will be my last time competing in the event. To compete at such a prestigious venue and prove that HBCUs have just as much to offer as any other institution is an honor. It’s important to me to show that we belong on that stage and to continue earning respect for our skills and hard work.
You’re certainly representing with pride. Now, with all the pressures of being a student-athlete, what keeps you motivated? What’s your “why” behind the grind?
Golf is addictive to me. Even when I play well, I’m never satisfied because I always want to improve. I’ve been in the student-athlete lifestyle for so long that it’s become second nature. I’m not too concerned with what’s going on around me; I focus on improving myself as an athlete and a golfer. Every time I step onto the course, I want to prove that I’m just as good as anyone else and that my presence in the field is deserved.
That’s a powerful mindset. What advice would you give to other young Black girls or women who may not see themselves represented in sports or academics?
My advice is to find purpose in whatever you do. At the end of the day, whether you succeed or fail, enjoy the process. Golf, like any other sport, is a game. If you’re not having fun, then what are you doing? When I was younger, I took golf too seriously and lost sight of why I loved it. Now, I tell the kids I coach to enjoy the journey, have fun, and make an impact.
