November 13, 2022

By ScoutU Staff

During the summer of 2022, Grace Durkin was clearly one of the best girls golfers in Wisconsin. But that was only after a back surgery caused her to miss her entire junior season. Durkin teamed up with ScoutU, started exploring all her college possibilities and recently signed to play for Loyola University Chicago.

“I am so excited every time I remember that I committed to play at Loyola,” Durkin said, “I just get a big smile on my face! I think it’s still settling in, but I feel like I can take a deep breath, slow down and really be proud of myself for all my hard work. I remember a year ago contemplating playing in college because I didn’t know what my journey ahead would be like after back surgery. I am so happy I stuck with it and worked really hard to make my dream of playing in college come true.” 

Durkin won multiple events last summer, including a 69 at Reid Golf Course on the Wisconsin Junior PGA. During her senior campaign, her streak of topping leaderboards featured a school-record 33 (-3) at one conference meet. She followed that up with a 74 to earn the Fox River Classic Conference title.

“Grace is a model for how student-athletes should handle the recruiting process,” ScoutU’s Jon Feyen said. “She was asking questions and using all our resources, while also focusing on her golf game. Grace understood that if I did the work getting her profile in front of the right schools – and she continued to dominate on the course – everything else would fall into place.”

Durkin connected with dozens of coaches and found the experience very beneficial. Loyola offered her a significant athletic scholarship, the perfect academic major and a positive environment where she can thrive.

“Right when I stepped on campus everything just felt right, like it was where I am meant to be,” Durkin said. “I was very impressed with the business school and how prioritized the athletes are. All the girls on the team were so nice when I met them and were willing to answer all my questions. They were very complimentary about coach (Brandy) Johnston and all the positive changes she’s made this year. Coach Johnston is very optimistic and believes that your experience at Loyola should make you first of all a better student and person.”

There are more than 700 colleges with a women’s golf program. But until Durkin got noticed by many of them, she didn’t know where she had the potential to play. ScoutU is proud to be a part of her journey and continue following her career at Loyola.

“We are very grateful to have worked with Jon and ScoutU!” Grace’s mom Meaghan McMenomy said. “They were able to get Grace’s information out to hundreds of coaches and because of that Grace talked to coaches all over the country. Thank you for all your help!”