Jennifer Pendrith Said She And Her Golf Club Members Could Not Be Prouder Of Little Brother Taylor
PETERBOROUGH – The long-time golf course superintendent at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club in Peterborough said she could not be more proud after her little brother finished in a tie for second Sunday at the PGA tournament in Detroit, Michigan.
Jennifer Pendrith could barely contain her excitement when contacted by Kawartha 411 shortly after the Rocket Mortgage Classic had wrapped up. Taylor Pendrith shot a final round even par 72 to finish the tournament at 21 under par, five strokes behind the winner and playing partner Tony Finau who was victorious on the PGA tour for the second week in a row. Pendrith, a tour rookie, either led or held a share of the lead after the first three rounds.
“It’s amazing. We are all so proud of him. It was so exciting to watch him. It’s surreal to be watching my brother on TV competing at such an elite level. It’s amazing. It was so cool,” Jennifer said. “My heart goes out to him that he didn’t win. I always think I feel what he is feeling. He might be discouraged but you have to look at the positives. Oh my gosh – what a week. Who would’ve thought when he was injured that he would end up tied for second in a tournament this soon.”
Taylor had been unable to compete on the PGA tour this summer after he suffered a stress fracture of a rib while golfing this past spring.
“I know it wasn’t the finish he wanted but what an amazing week. To compete shot for shot with Tony Finau (13th ranked in the world) was incredible. It was a confidence-building experience for him for sure. I know he will get that first win soon,” Jennifer said.
She added that there was tremendous interest at the Kawartha club all weekend as members were glued to the TV to see how her brother was doing.
“They weren’t just watching because he’s my brother and a Canadian, but he won the Kawartha Invitational tournament as an amateur in 2011,” Jennifer said. “So to have a winner of our annual tournament, which just happens to be on this weekend, in the running at a PGA event has created quite a buzz around here. He has a lot of support in Peterborough. He tries to play at least one round here every year.”
Taylor finished tied for second with two other golfers including Patrick Cantlay who is the world’s fourth-ranked golfer, so he was in some pretty heady company.
“He has proven that he can compete with the best of the best – the best in the world. He has made his dream come true. He’s so closer and he has proven to those golfers that he can compete with them,” Jennifer said.
Jennifer, her job as golf course superintendent and the Kawartha club were all mentioned by the TV announcers during the final round.
“That was pretty neat and great exposure for the club for sure,” she said.
The Pendriths grew up in Richmond Hill. She has been at Kawartha as the superintendent for the past 21 years.
Taylor won $635,600US for his second-place finish.
