Gallery: (10-22-2024) Golf Center Photos
Ever since becoming a professional golfer, Ken Duke had a dream of giving back to Henderson State University and the Reddie Golf Program by creating something to assist in the enhancement of the program. His vision was to build a state of the art golf facility for his alma mater came true as the Ken Duke Golf Center officially opened on Saturday, September 17, 2016.
The Ken Duke Golf Center facility includes coaches offices, classrooms, two TrackMan Golf Simulators, Pro Putt Systems indoor putting green, and a lobby honoring the history of the Henderson State Golf Program and Ken Duke. Ken also supplied plenty of equipment such as clubs and practice balls.
From the mid 1980’s to the early 1990’s, Henderson State won seven straight Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Championships under the direction of Coach Doyle Wallace. The Reddies participated in nine NAIA National Championship events with Ken being part of the program from 1988 to 1992.
With Henderson’s move to NCAA Division II in 1993, the golf program suffered some growing pains joining a conference that produced numerous national champions.
With the help of Ken, numerous supporters and former Reddie golfers, Henderson is back to winning championships. The Reddie men’s program has won eight Great American Conference championships since 2015 and made their first trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2024.
The Henderson women’s program, which began in 2006, has won five Great American Conference titles, three Central Region championships, and reached the match play portion of the NCAA Division II National Championships twice. The Reddie women were 2023 NCAA DII National Semifinalists.
In the early 2000s, Ken and his family, along with the assistance of former teammate Robbie Estes, organized “A Day with the Duke” golf tournament. The money raised through the event benefited those with spinal problems and other charities in Arkansas & Florida. Some of the proceeds also began the process of raising funds for the Ken Duke Golf Center.
In addition, Ken’s “Bucks for Birdies” program presented by Textbook Brokers and former teammate James Barnes, has helped raise funds placed towards construction of the Ken Duke Golf Center. For the past several years, supporters have made pledges for every birdie made by Ken during competitive tour events.
A substantial amount of money was raised through these projects, but to build one of the best collegiate practice facilities in the country, it was not quite enough.
Enter James Barnes and friend Brandon Huffman. With Huffman’s construction background and the additional financial support provided by Duke’s teammate Barnes to complete the project, construction on the facility began in the fall of 2015 and was completed in the summer of 2016.
Giving back is nothing new for the 2013 Travelers Champion. Diagnosed with Scoliosis, an abnormal curving of the spine in 7th grade, Ken underwent surgery and long rehabilitation to relieve the pressure on his lungs and heart that was life threatening. A 16-inch metal rod was attached to his spine to facilitate straightening.
Ken serves as a spokesperson for Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) and visits with scoliosis patients in hospitals throughout the year providing encouragement and support.
He also helped established The Ken Duke Endowed Chair in Scoliosis at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Ken donated $50,000 for winning “Avis Player of the Month” in July of 2013 to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Following winning the 2013 Travelers Championship, Ken got out his checkbook and wrote a check to the Travelers’ Charity organization -- New England Charities -- for $25,000 during the trophy ceremony.
One of the most liked players on the PGA Tour, Ken has been inducted into the (Henderson State) Reddie Hall of Honor, the Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
