Skip Kendall

Skip Kendall Bio

Jules Ira “Skip” Kendall (born September 9, 1964) is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour), and the PGA Tour Champions. Over a career that began in 1987, he became known for his consistent ball-striking, his runner-up finishes at major PGA Tour stops, and his longevity in the professional game. Although he never secured a victory on the PGA Tour or PGA Tour Champions, Kendall accumulated more than two dozen top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and four wins on the Nationwide Tour.

Standing 173 centimeters tall and weighing 68 kilograms, Kendall has built a reputation as a steady, durable competitor who remained active on the Champions circuit well into his fifties. He currently resides in Windermere, Florida, and continues to be a respected figure among peers and fans of the game.

Early Life and Background

Jules Ira Kendall was born on September 9, 1964, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended Nicolet High School, where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete. At Nicolet he played three sports, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would later underpin his professional golf career.

In soccer, Kendall was selected to the All-State team during his senior year, an honor that reflected both his skill and his competitive drive. In basketball, he served as team captain and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1982, underscoring his leadership qualities on the court.

Kendall also excelled in golf during his high school years, finishing second in the state of Wisconsin as both a sophomore and a senior. After graduating, he continued his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he completed a degree in Business Education in 1987. His time in Las Vegas helped refine his game against some of the country’s strongest collegiate competition.

Path to Professional Golf

Kendall turned professional in 1987, the same year he completed his college degree. He began competing on mini-tours and developmental circuits, gradually working his way toward the PGA Tour through steady play and patient course management. His early professional years were marked by perseverance as he sought to earn full status on the premier American tour.

In 1992, Kendall’s progress was validated when he earned medalist honors at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, securing his playing privileges on the PGA Tour. That breakthrough opened the door to a long career at the highest level of American professional golf. His success on developmental circuits also produced four Nationwide Tour victories, which helped cement his reputation as a reliable closer when in contention.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Kendall continued to refine his approach, focusing on iron play and course strategy. The combination of his amateur pedigree, business education, and professional perseverance laid a strong foundation for his ascent to the PGA Tour.

Skip Kendall Career

Early Career (1987–1992)

Following his graduation from UNLV in 1987, Kendall began his professional career on regional and developmental tours, working to gain the experience required for PGA Tour membership. He played consistently through the early 1990s, gradually improving his scoring average and competitive results. The most important milestone of this period came in 1992, when he finished as medalist at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.

That qualifier success gave Kendall his PGA Tour card and signaled his arrival as a legitimate competitor on the premier American circuit. He also claimed four victories on the Nationwide Tour during the course of his career, victories that provided crucial confidence and seasoning. These developmental wins demonstrated an ability to finish tournaments under pressure, a trait that would define his later career on the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour Breakthrough (1993–2005)

Kendall played the PGA Tour for many seasons, building a résumé highlighted by more than two dozen top-10 finishes. Although he never won a regular PGA Tour event, he regularly contended, posting runner-up finishes at the 1998 Buick Invitational, the 1999 Canon Greater Hartford Open, the 2000 Southern Farm Bureau Classic, and the 2004 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Each of these close calls underscored how competitive he was at the highest level.

The 1999 season stood out as one of the strongest of his career. That year, in addition to his runner-up result at Hartford, he tied for tenth at The Players Championship and recorded his highest Official World Golf Ranking of 68th. He posted 13 top-25 finishes, made 24 cuts, and earned $962,642 during the season, establishing himself as one of the tour’s most reliable performers.

Kendall continued to deliver quality results into the mid-2000s. In 2004, he earned more than $1.2 million with seven top-25 finishes, finishing his PGA Tour career with over $9.8 million in official earnings. He also developed a reputation for creative shot-making, including popularizing the claw putting grip among tour professionals, with Chris DiMarco among the players credited to his influence.

PGA Tour Champions Era (2014–Present)

Since 2014, Kendall has competed on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit for professional golfers aged fifty and older. He has recorded three top-10 finishes on the Champions tour, demonstrating that his game has translated well to the senior level. Among his early Champions highlights was a tie for tenth at the 2015 Shaw Charity Classic, a result that helped him finish 69th on the 2015 Champions Tour money list.

Although his PGA Tour Champions card has not yet produced a victory, Kendall has remained active on the senior circuit and continues to post competitive rounds against many of the game’s most decorated players. He continues to be respected for his course management and steady temperament. His move to the Champions circuit marked a fitting continuation of a career built on patience and precision.

Driving Style and Strengths

Kendall built his reputation as a steady ball-striker whose strengths lay in iron play, course management, and the ability to grind out pars when his game was not at its sharpest. He was known for his creative shot-making and willingness to experiment with technique, including his popularization of the claw putting grip that has since been adopted by several tour professionals. His patient temperament and disciplined preparation allowed him to remain competitive for many seasons.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among the defining moments of Kendall’s career were his four Nationwide Tour victories, his medalist finish at the 1992 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, and his top-10 finish at The Players Championship in 1999. His career earnings of more than $9.8 million on the PGA Tour stand as a testament to his longevity and consistency. He also finished his Champions career ranked 69th on the 2015 money list.

Skip Kendall Career Wins

Across his professional career, Skip Kendall has accumulated six professional victories in total, including four wins on the Nationwide Tour and additional victories on developmental and mini-tour events. Although he did not win a PGA Tour or PGA Tour Champions event during his career, his four Nationwide Tour victories and multiple top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest levels of American professional golf.

Nationwide Tour Highlights

Kendall claimed four victories on the Nationwide Tour during the course of his career, establishing himself as one of the more reliable winners on the developmental circuit. These victories were important stepping stones toward his PGA Tour membership and helped sharpen his competitive instincts. He also holds a 1–0 playoff record on the Web.com Tour, evidence of his ability to perform under pressure when tournaments came down to the final holes.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his Nationwide Tour victories, Kendall posted additional wins on developmental tours during the early stages of his professional career. These results helped him gain full PGA Tour status in 1992. While he never secured an official PGA Tour or PGA Tour Champions victory, his more than two dozen top-10 PGA Tour finishes and three Champions top-10s reflect a high level of sustained performance.

Skip Kendall Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Skip Kendall was born Jules Ira Kendall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1964, and grew up in the Milwaukee area. While detailed information about his immediate family is not widely documented, his upbringing in the Midwest and his participation in multiple high school sports suggest an active and supportive family environment. His parents encouraged his athletic development across soccer, basketball, and golf.

Personal Life

Kendall is married to his wife, Traci, and the couple has three children. The family has made their home in Windermere, Florida, a popular residential community among professional golfers due to its proximity to several Florida-based Champions and PGA Tour events. His family’s support has been a constant throughout his long professional career on multiple tours.

2025 Season Performance

As of 2025, Skip Kendall continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, where he remains an active and respected presence on the senior circuit. With three career top-10 finishes on the Champions tour and a tie for tenth at the 2015 Shaw Charity Classic among his most notable recent results, Kendall has continued to post competitive rounds against many of the game’s decorated veterans. His experience and steady temperament remain valuable assets as he competes at events across the United States.

Although he has yet to break through for a maiden PGA Tour Champions victory, Kendall’s longevity and his history of contending on the PGA Tour suggest that he remains capable of producing high finishes when his game comes together. His 69th-place finish on the 2015 Champions Tour money list illustrated his ability to maintain a consistent schedule of cuts made and earnings. As he continues to compete in 2025, he draws on more than three decades of professional experience.

Looking ahead through the rest of the 2025 Champions season, Kendall’s goals include remaining healthy, making the majority of cuts, and contending for a breakthrough Champions victory. With the support of his family in Windermere and a reputation as one of the senior circuit’s most experienced players, Skip Kendall continues to represent the durability and passion that have defined his career.