ORLANDO, FLORIDA – December 13, 2007â?¦ Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Laurie Bland has received the Marriott Golf Minority Scholarship, which is awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in the Golf Course Operations Program at Lake City Community College (LCCC) in Lake City, Fla. Laurie is the first individual majoring in Golf Course Operations to receive the Marriott Golf Minority Scholarship.
Currently a senior at LCCC, Laurie is expected to graduate in May 2008 with a degree in Golf Course Operations and a Certificate in Turf Equipment Management. As part of the scholarship requirement, Laurie completed a summer internship at Marriott Golf’s famed Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, where she gained a wealth of valuable experience by fulfilling the duties of an assistant superintendent in training on the Blue Monster Course. Laurie also participated in the successful Alonzo Mourning Charity Golf Tournament where she served as the Grounds Event Coordinator and was responsible for scheduling, course set-up and supervising staff.
Laurie is a member of The Florida Turf Grass Association, The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association, and The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
"I am truly honored to be receiving the Marriott Golf Minority Scholarship," Laurie said. "It is very rewarding to be recognized for all of my efforts, and I look forward to continuing my education and experience in the field to have a successful career within the golf industry."
The Marriott Golf Minority Scholarship is open to any minority or female student enrolled in the Golf Course Operations Program at LCCC. The only other requirement is that each candidate must have completed an internship at any one of Marriott Golf’s properties. The scholarship is $2,000 and is distributed to the recipient in the amount of $1,000 per semester. The LCCC Foundation reviews and awards the scholarship on behalf of Marriott Golf.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 62 golf courses at 46 locations in 13 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com)
Stefanie Schiavello (stefanie@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
