JJ Grey (right) with Josh Edgar at U.S. Open qualifier

Men's Golf

Grey Makes History as First Panther to Play in U.S. Open

Georgia State golf great JJ Grey will make history this week as the first GSU golf alumnus to play in the U.S. Open when he tees off Thursday at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Grey qualified for the 123rd U.S. Open by finishing in the top three of the sectional qualifier played last Monday at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga. 

With Josh Edgar, also a former GSU golfer and currently the team's assistant coach, caddying for him, Grey shot 64-69 (11-under) in the 36-hole qualifier.

Grey, who starred for the Panthers from 2012-16, will be the first Georgia State golf alumnus to compete in the U.S. Open. Former Panther Dave Womack competed in the Masters in 2007, and several others have played in the British Open.

Inducted into the Georgia State Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021, Grey made a splash from the first day he walked on campus by winning the first two events of his career.

During his career, he became the first GSU golfer to earn four All-Sun Belt First Team honors, was recognized as a PING All-America and PING Freshman All-America in 2013, and was named 2016 Sun Belt Conference Golfer of the Year. He also earned third-team Academic All-America honors in 2016.

The Kent, England, native led the Panthers to four straight NCAA Regionals, highlighted by a trip to the 2014 NCAA Championship, where Georgia State finished 22nd.

He completed his career with a school-record four individual titles, played in more rounds (146) than any golfer in program history, set the school record with 78 rounds of par or better, and set the single-season mark with 41 rounds played. 

He turned pro after graduating in 2016 and has played on various tours, including status on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022.

Grey's wife is former Georgia State volleyball standout Kitan Ajanaku, a graduate of the Georgia State College of Law and a practicing attorney. JJ and Kitan reside in Atlanta with their two children.
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Players Mentioned

Josh Edgar

Josh Edgar

6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Josh Edgar

Josh Edgar

6' 0"
Senior