CRETE – Despoina Katsaiti, a 17-year-old golfer from Heraklion, Crete has been accepted into Ferris State University in Michigan, where she will complete her studies in their Professional Golf Management (PGM/PGA) program.
The Athens-born Greek teen, who is also recognized as a member of the Greek Women’s National Golf Team, , additionally earned a spot on the university’s NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Team.
In an interview with The National Herald, Katsaiti explained how her love for golf all began at the age of 10, when she started attending camps in the summer.
“During this time, I had tried a lot of different sports, but none of them really clicked with me, I didn’t love anything,” Katsaiti told TNH.
Despoina Katsaiti holding a trophy from a successful gold competition. (Photo: Courtesy of Despoina Katsaiti)
“Then one winter, I told my dad that I wanted to start something new, something I had never tried before, and that’s when I began looking through a list of Olympic sports and came across golf. I then asked, ‘what’s golf?’, and my parents then told me there was a course about 40 minutes from our house, so we went.”
“At first, I struggled to hit the ball, and because I couldn’t do it – I got frustrated. But then it pushed me to want to keep trying, and that’s how I started playing.”
Katsaiti’s achievements and love for golf
After discovering her passion for golf, the Greek teen then commenced golf lessons and decided to take the sport more seriously when she turned 12.
Then, by the age of 15, Katsaiti officially joined the Women’s National Golf Team in Greece (in 2024) and has since competed in various tournaments including the European Teamshield Championship Liechtenstein in 2024, the Nicos Severis Cyprus Junior Open in 2025, the European Teamshield Championship in Bulgaria in 2025, and EFG Golf Trophy 2025 Luxembourg, where she has represented Greece.
Asked what she loved most about the sport to be continuing it five years on, she expressed, “I love the way it makes me feel. When I’m happy, I want to play golf, and when I’m sad, I want to play golf, because it makes me happy again.”
The 17-year-old is a member of the Women’s National Golf Team in Greece. (PhotoL Courtesy of Despoina Katsaiti)
“I always want to go back to the course, improve, and become better – I simply love it,” she shared.
Katsaiti and her upcoming adventure abroad
As a soon to be graduate of the European School of Education of Heraklion with a grade point average of 9.7 out of 10, Katsaiti shared how she is now looking forward to coming to the U.S. for the first time, where she will undertake her tertiary studies at Michigan’s Ferris State University.
“More than anything, I feel excited,” she expressed.
“Of course, I’m nervous because it’s far from home and everything will be different, but my parents tell me not to worry – they’ll visit if I get homesick. I’m excited to experience a different world, meet new people, make new friends, and work with new coaches.”
The PGA Golf Management program she has been accepted into, which is one of the most recognized golf programs in the world, will then lead her to a Bachelor of Science in Professional Golf Management over the course of 4.5 years, and cover all aspects of the sport, from golf course and resort management to coaching.
In addition to being accepted into this Michigan university, to her knowledge, Katsaiti is also recognized as the first Greek woman, and Greek, to follow this path in the U.S., and pursue this combination of NCAA golf and PGA professional training.
She expressed how it made her feel a strong sense of pride to achieve this.
“Other Greek students have gone to America on golf scholarships, but not for this particular program, as it’s affiliated with the PGA of America, and by doing it, I’ll become a PGA member, which makes it even more unique,” Katsaiti said.
Despoina Katsaiti has represented Greece numerous times over the last few years including in Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Luxembourg. (Photo: Courtesy of Despina Katsaiti)
“I’m incredibly proud to be the first, and once I’m older and have more experience, I’d like to help other young people realize that this path is possible, and not as impossible as it seems.”
Securing a scholarship and seeking support
As someone who always dreamed of studying abroad, the 17-year-old expressed how she still can’t believe it’s finally happening and that she got accepted into a school in the U.S. that she really wanted to attend.
She noted how in addition to being accepted into the college, she was also thrilled to find out she received a scholarship covering 50% of her whole tuition.
“I was incredibly happy when I found out, because getting a scholarship was always the goal,” Katsaiti said.
“I knew that without one, my parents wouldn’t be able to afford it, and when I learned I’d received it and that my dream was actually happening — I could hardly believe it.”
“For years I imagined going to America on scholarship, and now when people ask me what I’m going to study, I don’t say ‘I want to go here’, I say ‘I’m GOING here – and it feels amazing.”
She added: “I am incredibly proud and grateful to have been awarded a partial scholarship by Ferris State University.”
“I will also have the honor of competing as part of the university’s women’s golf team, and their decision to believe in me and welcome me into their historic program means more than words can express, and I am determined to honor that trust every single day.”
In a final comment to TNH, Katsaiti expressed her gratitude to the Aegean Golf Academy and its president, Nikos Halabalakis, noting that “that is where it all began,” where Halabalakis passed on his love for the sport to her.
She additionally thanked: “The Crete Golf Club, the Hellenic Golf Federation and its president, for trusting me in playing with the national colors, Theodoros Vassilakis Golf Association, and finally my coach Henrik Engdahl for his patience, advise, coaching and above all for his support and belief in me.”
Despite the exciting news of Katsaiti’s acceptance into Ferris State University, and her 50% scholarship, her family is seeking additional support to help fund her studies.
Those who would like to further support her journey, either by contributing toward her tuition or by helping connect her with the right people in the U.S., are encouraged to email [email protected] or donate directly at https://gofund.me/e4b824c10.
