Kennedy Bodiford Head Pro at Tokatee Brings Championship Pedigree

McKenzie Bridge, Oregon - After winning an NCAA Division I National Championship at Ole Miss in 2021, Kennedy Bodiford became the first woman to win the Oregon Open Invitational two and half weeks later as an amateur.

Bodiford started working at Tokatee Golf Club in 2020 after moving to Oregon on a whim. Tokatee is located near the McKenzie River, up the McKenzie Highway about 50 miles east of Eugene in the Cascade Mountain Range.

“We moved up here on a whim, fell in love with it and decided to stay.” Bodiford explained.

She played two and half years at Clemson before transferring to Ole Miss her junior year. She played the spring of her junior year, senior year, and 5th year (covid year) at Ole Miss when they won the National Championship and got her MBA.

“My husband and I moved to Oregon before I knew I was going back for my 5th year,” Bodiford said. “I worked at Tokatee the summer before I went back for my 5th year, and every summer after that on and off until I got the job.”

Bodiford would go on to become the Head Golf Professional at Tokatee after playing one year on the Epson Tour in 2022. She made 19 starts and made eight cuts, while finishing in the top 25 four times. She also played in the LPGA Portland Classic twice along with another LPGA Tour event in Ohio.

“I played on the Epson tour for a year and finished high enough on the money list to keep my card but got offered the Head Pro job at Tokatee and decided to take it.” Bodiford said. “This is the end of my second full season as the head. I absolutely love it here.

“My husband and I, and two of our friends, bought the restaurant at the end of last year. We put a bar in and redid the menu, and it's been a huge success.”

They purchased the 1966 Bar & Grill which is the restaurant at Tokatee and happens to be the year the course opened.

Dan King was the former head professional at Tokatee who retired, creating the opportunity for Kennedy Bodiford, PGA to take over. She was elected as a class A PGA professional in May of this year.

Bodiford is a member of the Oregon PGA section where she won the Oregon Open, along with a Pro-Am and has never missed a cut in a major.

“I love the Oregon Chapter we have the most pro-am’s out of any chapter in the nation,” Bodiford said. “My favorite events are the majors, they are a lot of fun. It's awesome to travel with friends and compete against great golfers.”

The Oregon Chapter of PNW PGA recently announced that Bodiford won the Merchandiser of the Year - Public award.

“For people new to the game, I love the smiley face scoring method,” Bodiford said. “Go out and play 9, and instead of keeping score, draw a face representing how you thought you did on the hole (smile = good, frown = bad). I also think that people who are trying to get better need to practice their short game more. Most people go out and hit a bucket of balls to practice, but they don't realize 50%+ of their shots are short game.”

As for those with a lower handicap, Bodiford suggests focusing on strategy.

“Lower handicap players need to focus more on course management,” Bodiford said. “Thinking their way around the course, not going for every pin or trying to pull off shots they can't execute. Think about their misses.”

Whether she would make another run at the LPGA Tour, Bodiford has shut that door.

“Nope! I don't miss it at all. I'll always play in the Portland Classic Monday Qualifier and most years in the US Open qualifier, but I'm extremely content with where I've ended up.” Bodiford said.

Whether it’s through teaching, playing, or encouraging someone new to play, Bodiford brings a trailblazing background and championship perspective to the Oregon golf scene and Tokatee Golf Club.