Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., February 18, 2011 – The application period for the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association) Foundation’s 2011 ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship program ends on March 15. Established in 2008, the program was created to provide financial assistance to nontraditional female students – women at least 30 years old – women like Marilyn Bunag of San Francisco, Calif., a 39-year old single mother of four children.
Bunag, the 2010 ‘Women On Par®’ winner, is a former drug addict and domestic violence survivor. She overcame her addiction seven years ago through California rehab and community services programs, earned her GED and an associate degree. She applied for the $1000 scholarship to help transfer to San Francisco State University to earn a bachelor degree in sociology.
“My first semester was everything I had hoped for and more – my classes were challenging and my professors were amazing. I earned A’s in all my classes, making the Dean’s List,” said Bunag in a recent thank you letter to the EWGA Foundation. “Spring semester is underway which means I’m another step closer to achieving my goals — to rise above poverty and help others.”
There is a two-step selection process associated with the ‘Women On Par®’ program with the initial application period open through March 15, 2011. However, only the first 200 applications received during this time period will be considered and notice will be posted online should the acceptance process be closed early. Applicants are required to be pursuing a technical/vocational degree, associates or bachelor’s degree and currently enrolled or accepted to enroll in an accredited school, college or university. EWGA membership is not a requirement to apply or receive a scholarship
The second phase will include additional screening by the Scholarship Selection Committee and the 2011 winner of the $1000 scholarship will be announced by June 15. For complete eligibility requirements and application forms, see the EWGA Foundation tab at www.ewga.com .
“Milton Berle once said ‘If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door’. Education is my door and I thank all of you for helping me build it,” added Bunag. She plans to eventually earn a master’s degree in social work with the goal to serve the lower income and underrepresented communities in the Bay area.
“It is women like Marilyn that demonstrate the impact and importance of the ‘Women On Par®’ scholarship program,” says Margaret Downey, president of the EWGA Foundation. “We have launched a scholarship fund endowment campaign and hope to be able to expand the program, and in the future help more women get ‘on par’.”
To make a contribution to the Women On Par®’ scholarship fund, contact the EWGA Foundation at (561) 691-0096 x 19 or visit ewga.com and click on the Foundation tab.
The EWGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization formed and supported by the Executive Women’s Golf Association. Its mission is to create and fund education and leadership programs for women of all ages. Other initiatives include the development of a golf education curriculum, Drive for Dreams outreach program to ‘give the gift of golf’ and an LPGA-USGA Girls Golf charity event. Over the past seven years, EWGA chapters and the EWGA Foundation have donated over $450,000 to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, making the EWGA one of the largest single contributors to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, aside from the USGA.
Since it was founded in 1991 as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the EWGA has enriched the lives of over 100,000 women connecting them to learn, play, and enjoy golf for business and for fun. EWGA chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers. A welcoming environment, golf education and player development, and organized play programs are part of the many benefits of EWGA membership.
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. There are chapters throughout the United States with international chapters in Canada. For more information about the EWGA and its membership, visit www.ewga.com.
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