Virginia Golfer Nov / Dec 2017 | Page 23

am LANTO GRIFFIN’S SEVEN-YEAR GRIND PAYS OFF IN THE FORM OF A PGA TOUR CARD W by RANDY KING ho says a childhood dream can’t come true? Just ask Blacksburg ’s Lanto Griffin. He has holed his big wish. After spending seven years toiling all over the world on professional golf ’s mini-tours, the 29-year-old Virginia Commonwealth Uni- versity alum saw his long-shot dream come to fruition Aug. 27 at the Portland Open, where he locked up his 2017–18 PGA Tour card by finishing 23rd on the Web.com Tour’s regu- lar-season money list. An emotion-filled Griffin walked off the 18th green at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club and swapped hugs with his mother, Julie.