Meet Amber

As a 2022 Griffel Scholar, Amber Henson is no stranger to the Ann Griffel Scholarship. Amber earned the scholarship after graduating from Marshalltown High School enroute to Drake University. Currently, Amber is pursuing a degree in finance with minors in economics and management while balancing being a junior on the women’s golf team. Amber’s commitment to academic excellence has earned her recognition as a 2023-2024 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar and an honorable mention designation for the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golf Scholar-Athlete. Amber’s cheery spirit and high-achieving mindset perfectly encapsulate the heart of the Griffel Scholarship.

While the Griffel Scholarship is not granted based on golf performance, Amber’s golf accolades speak for themselves. Amber came onto the Iowa golf scene later in her high school days, but once she started she never stopped. At the Iowa Girls’ High School State Tournament, Amber notched two top-ten finishes in her career. She placed seventh individually as a junior and almost captured the title with a runner-up finish her senior season. Since her high school days, Amber has become a staple in the Drake women’s golf lineup. Amber consistently plays in the one or two spot for the Bulldogs. In 2024, Amber earned a top-ten finish at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship placing seventh. Additionally, she has become a force at the Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship earning three consecutive top-five finishes since 2022.

Amber shares her gratitude for the Griffel scholarship as well as her excitement for the fundraiser stating, “I really appreciate the support from the IGA as I am an Ann Griffel scholar myself. Knowing that they believe in me has been very motivating as I navigate my way during college. I’m very honored to be a part of the 100 holes fundraiser because now I get to give back to the IGA and help young girls find their own path throughout college!”

About the Fundraiser

Amber has committed to playing 100 holes of competitive golf in support of the Ann Griffel Scholarship fund. Rounds must be played in sanctioned tournaments, such as IGA events, college events, club championships, or other state association events to count towards the 100-hole goal. The Ann Griffel scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship given to five deserving Iowa high school seniors each year who plan to continue on to higher education at an Iowa institution. 

The scholarship honors Ann Griffel, an individual who changed the women’s golf scene in Iowa forever. Griffel served as president of the Iowa Women’s Golf Association for 23 years. During that time, Ann led the charge to start new tournaments such as the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur, the Iowa Wife-Husband, the Forever 39 Match Play, and the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur. Griffel enjoyed competing in some of these events herself as she was a three-time champion of the Forever 39 Match Play and an eleven-time champion of the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur. The legacy of Ann Griffel will never be lost upon Iowa golf through the events she created and the scholarship in her honor.

Donation Options

Button 1: Make a one-time donation directly to the Ann Griffel Scholarship. After clicking the button on this page you will be redirected to our donation landing page. Click the green “Ann Griffel Scholarship” button. When completing the donation form, type “Amber” in the “100 Hole Participant” field.

Button 2: Pledge a donation per hole, par, birdie, eagle, etc. by filling out the form. You will be contacted at the end of the fundraiser for your donation.

**All donations are tax-deductible** // please contact Director of Development, Paige Hoffman, with any questions at [email protected]