PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (May 9, 2018) – The PGA of America has awarded five $8,000 scholarships under the PGA WORKS Golf Management University Scholarship Program for the 2018-19 academic school year. The scholarships are designed to improve the recruitment and retention of talented and driven individuals from diverse backgrounds pursuing PGA Membership through PGA Golf Management University Programs nationwide.
The PGA WORKS-branded workforce diversification effort looks to evolve the demographic composition of the golf industry’s workforce and the PGA of America’s Membership. Applicants either had to plan to enroll full-time or are currently pursuing fulltime undergraduate studies at one of 18 accredited PGA Golf Management University Program academic institutions for the entire 2018-2019 academic year, with the intent of pursuing PGA of America Membership.
Paul Levy was elected as PGA President in November 2016.
“We are delighted to announce the 2018-19 PGA WORKS Golf Management University Scholarship Program winners,” said PGA President Paul Levy. “Each of these five students represents the bright future of the golf industry, and we’re excited that they are pursuing a career within the game as a PGA Professional.”
The PGA Works Golf Management University Scholarship Program recipients include:
Abby Brennan
Eugene, Oregon
Florida Gulf Coast University
PGA Golf Management University Program Class of 2019
Brennan works as an Assistant Golf Professional at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida.
Mariana Gottret
La Paz, Bolivia
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
PGA Golf Management University Program Class of 2019
Gottret is Vice President of the Club Managers Association of America Student Chapter at FGCU, a Volunteer Assistant Coach for LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Fort Myers and has completed Executive Leadership Institute seminars at FGCU.
Young Lee
Glenelg, Maryland
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
PGA Golf Management University Program Class of 2020
Lee was named the Most Valuable Player for the UMES golf team and Student of the Year for the school’s Golf Management University Program. He will compete for UMES in the Men’s Individual Division at this weekend’s PGA Minority Collegiate Championship in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Lee also assists in hosting a junior golf clinic and the “Pros 4 Clothes” clothing drive at UMES.
Kaylee Neff
Mustang, Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO)
PGA Golf Management University Program Class of 2019
Neff works for The First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City. An Honor Roll student, she plans to pursue an MBA after she earns her degree from the Golf Management University Program at UCO. A member of both the President’s Leadership Council and the Professional Golf Management Student Council, Neff also volunteers for the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.
Devyn Olds
Lee, Massachusetts
Coastal Carolina University
PGA Golf Management University Program Class of 2020
A recipient of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship, Deacon Palmer Scholarship, Stan Thirsk Scholarship and William Menard Scholarship, Olds has been named to the Coastal Carolina University President’s List on three occasions. He was also inducted into both the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.
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Scholarship recipients were selected on the basis of: Academic record; demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities; honors and work experience; a statement of goals and aspirations; unusual personal or family circumstances; an outside appraisal; demonstrated active participation in the game of golf; and playing ability.
To ensure success and perpetuity of the program, as well as objectivity in the selection process, the PGA retained Scholarship America as third-party administrator. Scholarship America is the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals.
About PGA WORKS
PGA WORKS is the umbrella brand for all workforce diversification programs within The PGA of America. PGA WORKS is an intentional effort to evolve the demographic composition of the golf industry’s workforce through a variety of programmatic efforts, including leadership development, fellowships, internships, scholarships, career expos and emerging leader programs.
