(Posted 9-21-99)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Service Contact: Steve Gilliam, 336-334-5371

WOMEN'S GOLF SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED
AT UNCG IN MEMORY OF ELLEN GRIFFIN

        GREENSBORO--Suzanne E. "Sue" Rice of Ocean Ridge, Fla., has made a pledge of $55,000 to endow a women's golf scholarship fund at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
        The pledge creates the Ellen Griffin Scholarship in Women's Golf. The fund honors the late Ellen J. Griffin, who was a faculty member at UNCG from 1940-68 and a nationally known golf instructor for more than three decades. The fund was created as part of The Second Century Campaign for UNCG,  the institution's capital fund drive which raised $55.4 million.  On Sunday, Sept. 12, a ceremony was held to dedicate the Ellen Griffin Golf Practice Facility on the UNCG campus.
        Griffin graduated from Woman's College (now UNCG) in 1940 and joined the physical education faculty. At UNCG, she taught until 1968 and later at her own golf-teaching facility, The Farm. In 1962, she was the Ladies Professional Golf Association unanimous selection as "National Teacher of the Year" and earned the organization's Master Professional status.
        Griffin wrote numerous articles on golf and was co-author of the textbook, "Golf Manual for Teachers," with Betty Hicks. She received a UNCG Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1980. In 1976, Golf Digest named her as one of the six most outstanding golf teachers in the United States. Griffin died in 1986.
        "Ellen Griffin was my mentor and my friend, and she was one of the best instructors who ever taught the game of golf," said Rice. "I wanted to honor her memory by establishing this scholarship fund, and to ensure that young women at UNCG will have the chance to enjoy the kinds of golf experiences that Ellen Griffin made possible for so many students."
        Rice, a 1963 graduate of Woman's College, is co-owner of Rice and Falkenburg Gallery in Palm Beach, Fla. After her graduation, she taught physical education at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill. In 1967, she earned a certificate in physical therapy from Stanford University and spent much of the next 20 years working in physical therapy with handicapped infants and children.
        Rice has maintained a long-time love of golf and credits Griffin with instilling and nurturing that interest. Just after Rice graduated, Griffin encouraged her to participate in the National Collegiate Women's Golf Championship when it was held near her home in Pennsylvania. Rice had never broken 100 and as much as told Griffin she was "crazy" to suggest such a thing. Griffin responded by saying, "Someone's got to come in last." She said it in such a positive way that Rice signed up, broke 100 for the first time, won a match and had a great experience. This led Rice to her lifelong love of the game that has included competition at the highest levels of women's amateur golf.

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