LPGA Professionals Lifelong Passion for Teaching Inspires Many to Believe They Are “Good Enough”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2026) Cindy Miller, a trailblazing LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame member and 2021 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award winner, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award, joining an elite group of distinguished educators in the game.

Established in 1989 by the LPGA Professionals, the award honors an individual who exemplifies the teaching excellence, passion, and transformative spirit of Ellen Griffin, a pioneer in golf instruction. Miller’s 41-year career reflects a steadfast commitment to unlocking potential in others, fostering not only skill development, but also confidence, focus, and a genuine love for the game.

“Receiving the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Miller. “I first met Ellen at an LPGA Teaching Division workshop early in my career, and I remember thinking, ‘She genuinely loves people and loves teaching – I can only hope to someday have that kind of impact.’ She became a quiet but powerful role model for me.

“Forty years later, I’ve had the privilege of teaching at public driving ranges, working with everyone from total beginners to PGA TOUR Comeback Players of the Year. Ellen’s spirit has been with me through all of it.

“This award will always hold a special place in my heart, because at the end of the day, what drives me is exactly what drove Ellen: helping people who want to get better, get better.”

Miller’s journey in golf has been marked by resilience and determination. She once faced the persistent belief that she was “not good enough.” Initially unable to make the women’s golf team at the University of Miami, she proved them wrong by walking on, becoming team captain, and earning All-American honors her senior year. After missing the cut in her first attempt at tour qualifying, she soon after earned her LPGA Tour card, only to lose it three seasons later. Undeterred, she went on to compete on the LPGA Legends Tour, where, after four years of dedicated preparation, she finished second on the money list.

That inner doubt ultimately became a driving force behind her success and her mission: guiding every student through her proven three-step framework to own their game, on the course and beyond.

Today, as the Founder and CEO of Cindy Miller Inc, she embodies Griffin’s spirit. She has built a reputation for empowering students by embracing individuality and turning perceived limitations into strengths. Her approach centers on becoming each student’s biggest fan, until they can confidently believe in themselves.

Since 1982, Miller has taught at public driving ranges in Buffalo, New York, building her programs from the ground up each season. She offers private lessons, group sessions, playing lessons, golf schools, and boot camps in Florida. Since 2001, she has led an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site, and in 2016, she founded her nonprofit organization, Pursue Your It, which focuses on educating, inspiring, and challenging young people to discover their potential, passion and purpose.

Like Griffin, Miller’s influence extends far beyond her local community. Her work with charities and corporate organizations has expanded the reach of the game, using her storytelling ability and relatability to make a lasting impact on individuals from all walks of life.

Cindy is also a sought-after speaker and corporate trainer. As a certified behavior and motivation professional, she has delivered programs for major companies including Microsoft, Merck, and Liberty Mutual. Her work helps teams unlock potential and improve performances both on and off the course.

In 2025, Miller authored Take Another Shot: At Business, Golf or Life, extending her message beyond golf and encouraging others to pursue growth and excellence in all areas of life.

Building on that message, Miller recently delivered her TEDx Talk, “Unlock IT: Your Full Potential,” now available on YouTube. In it, she shares her proven framework for breaking through self-imposed limitations and stepping fully into one’s potential, a message that has resonated with audiences far beyond the golf course.

Miller is widely regarded as a gold standard among golf professionals and a role model for aspiring instructors. Her genuine passion for people and teaching continues to shape the game and inspire future generations, carrying forward the enduring legacy of Ellen Griffin.

Miller is decorated with many honorable awards and achievements over her career, and in the last year alone was named an Elite LPGA Top 50 Best Teacher, a prestigious category she has been recognized for nearly 3 decades. The 2026 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award cements her as a truly inspiring force, carrying forward a legacy of education that transforms and uplifts.

Past recipients of the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award include: Peggy Kirk Bell (1989), Linda Craft (1990), Shirley Englehorn (1991), Harvey Penick (1992), Goldie Bateson (1993), Carol Clark Johnson (1994), Joanne Winter (1995), Ann Casey Johnstone (1996), Dr. DeDe Owens (1997), Shirley Spork (1998), Betty Hicks (1999), Gary Wiren (2000), Penny Zavichas (2001), Annette Thompson (2002), Dr. Barbara B. Smith (2003), Marjorie Burns (2004), Pat Lange (2005), Donna White (2006), Betsy Cullen (2007), Lynn Marriott (2008), Kay McMahon (2009), Mary Beth McGirr (2010), Dr. Debbie Crews (2011), Dr. Betsy Clark (2012), Kathy Murphy (2013), Kerry Graham (2014), Dana Rader (2015), Pia Nilsson (2016), Sandy LaBauve (2017), Jane Frost (2018), Nancy Quarcelino (2019), Renee Powell (2020), Deb Vangellow (2021), Carol Preisinger (2022), Sheri Hayes (2023), Gale Peterson (2024), and Marvol Barnard (2025).

Cindy Miller Named the 2026 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award Recipient

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