PGA REACH Philadelphia Announces 2019 Diversity Scholarship Winners
Scholarship Program Provides Opportunities for Individuals from Diverse Backgrounds to Participate on the Elite Philadelphia Junior Tour (PJT) Circuit for Kids Ages 18 and Under
Lower Gwynedd Township, PA., June 25, 2019 … PGA REACH Philadelphia, the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section PGA (PPGA), has announced its 2019 Philly Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship winners, including: Kendall Gordon of Burlington, NJ, Darius Laws of Wilmington, DE, and Jasmine Reed of Westchester, PA. PGA REACH Philadelphia created the scholarship program to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate on the elite Philadelphia Junior Tour (PJT) circuit for kids ages 18 and under.
“PGA REACH Philadelphia is proud to provide scholarships that will inspire youth in our community by providing a program designed to promote social skills, self-esteem, leadership, and athleticism through the game of golf,” said Leila Mackie, Foundation Director, PGA REACH Philadelphia. “This year’s scholarship winners were chosen among many other youth golfers who applied, and they were selected based on their academic success, passion for the game based on a written essay, and references from coaches and teachers.”
Highlighting the 2019 scholarship winners, Kendell Gordon is a 14-year old honor student who also plays competitive basketball. He previously participated in the Philadelphia Junior Tour and already has experienced success in his age group. Darius Laws, age 14, has played golf since he was six years old and has volunteered at The First Tee Program for 8 years. He is an honors student and is devoted to helping others with the skills he’s attained through golf. Jasmine Reed, age 14, has participated in local golf programs from the age of twelve and demonstrates impressive skills in the sport. She overcame a concussion diagnosis and continued to volunteer as a mentor for beginner youth golfers.
Today, the PJT leads the region in competitive junior golf with over 90 events held seasonally at many of the area’s top facilities. Membership consists of junior golfers 18 years of age and younger who play a tournament schedule that covers all geographic areas of the Philadelphia Section. In addition, the PJT hosts four major championships throughout the season, including nationally ranked events that provide exposure for junior golfers looking to play competitively. With opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many PJT members graduate to play at the college level and beyond.
The Diversity Scholarship program is one of many programs and initiatives managed by PGA REACH Philadelphia, designed to positively impact lives through the game of golf. Under the guidance of the PPGA’s more than 880 PGA Professionals and Assistants located in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland, who are at the forefront of golf programming that grows the game of golf at more than 300 public and private golf facilities, PGA REACH Philadelphia’s goal is to grow the game by providing financial assistance, instruction, instructional materials, mentoring, equipment and scholarships to individuals and organizations throughout the region.
For more information on PGA REACH Philadelphia, visit: https://www.pgareach.org/philadelphia
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About PGA REACH Philadelphia
The PGA Reach Philadelphia Foundation is the 501c3 charitable arm of the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America (PPGA), which encompasses Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (Trenton – south), Delaware and parts of Northern Maryland. The Foundation was created to support the PGA of America’s national PGA REACH program, whose mission is to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, with a focus on 3 core pillars: Youth, Military and Diversity. Under the guidance of more than 850 PGA Professionals and Assistants from the PPGA, the Foundation hosts a dynamic line-up of dynamic golf programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience golf in a welcoming environment.
PRESS CONTACTS: Joe Monforto/Communications Director at (215) 481-9086 or jmonforto@pgahq.com
Jared Minski/Mastro Communications at (732) 469-5700 or jared@mastrocomm.com