It’s not exactly a rags-to-riches story, but Lanto Griffin, winner of the Houston Open in October, epitomizes the down-and-out golfer who eventually made it big. With almost nothing in his bank account in 2014 after failing play well on some developmental tours, Griffin was about finished trying to realize his dream. But some friends and acquaintances who believed in him provided some much-needed financial backing to keep him going. Three years later, he was ready to quit again, but a sports psychologist was able to turn him around mentally, and this past year he won a tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour, helping him to earn his tour card for 2019-20. Griffin was introduced to the game by his father Michael, who sadly passed away when Griffin was 12. Steve Prater, who was coaching Griffin, took on the role of father figure and mentor, guiding Griffin’s golf game and helped mold him into the person he is today. Those who are contemplating giving up their dream would do well to look at Griffin’s life story and perhaps draw some inspiration from it.
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