Scholar program awards $25000 to 14 turfgrass management students
Lawrence, Kan. (Aug. 16, 2015) – Ryan Kaczor hasn’t graduated from college yet, but the Michigan State crop and soil science major has already had the chance to work on two of the nation’s famed golf courses, Oakland Hills Country Club and Oakmont Country Club. Kaczor’s impressive lists of internships and 4.0 GPA earned him the top prize of $6,000 in the 2016 Scholars Competition offered through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The $25,000 program is primarily funded by the Robert Trent Jones Endowment and administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf, GCSAA’s philanthropic organization. It was developed to recognize outstanding students planning careers in golf course management.
“I was shocked (to win), but I am absolutely thrilled,” said Kaczor, who first started working at Highland Hills Golf Course near his hometown of Lake Orion, Mich., while still in high school. “It’s going to help pay for school, and I am extremely honored to win when you think of all the great kids that applied.”
Kaczor interned at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield, Mich., under GCSAA member and certified golf course superintendent Steve Cook in 2014, and he returns this month to help with the U.S. Amateur. Earlier this year, he participated in an internship at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, and was part of the staff for the U.S. Open.
“(Kaczor) shows a willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to become a great superintendent,” Cook said. “I see him as a superintendent that members will love as he is easy to talk to, a leader and a team worker.”
The top award in the Scholar’s Competition is named for the late Chet Mendenhall, who was a charter member of GCSAA, a past president (1948) and recipient of the association’s Distinguished Service Award (1986).
Kevin Heimann of Brunswick, Ohio, who is attending Pennsylvania State University, received the second place award of $5,000. Heimann received the MacCurrach Award, named in honor of the late Allan MacCurrach, who became the PGA Tour’s first staff agronomist in 1974 and was the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award winner in 1997. The PGA Tour funds this award.
Kaczor and Heimann will also receive all-expenses-paid trips to the 2017 Golf Industry Show, Feb. 4-9, in Orlando.
Other award-winners are:
Jordan Carbone, Ontario, Canada, Georgian College, Ambassador Award, $2,500
Devon Carroll, Thornhurst, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, $2,500
Patrick Rux, Galva, Ill., Kirkwood Community College, $1,500
Timothy LeBlanc Jr., Livonia, Mich., Michigan State University, $1,500
Nicholas Capozzi, Wallingford, Conn., Rutgers University, $1,000
Zachary Olinger, Marion, Iowa, Iowa State University, $1,000
Jacob Shughart, East Hampton, N.Y., Pennsylvania State University, $750
William Elam, Toledo, Ohio, Pennsylvania State University, $750
Joshua Lemons, Fort Washington, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, $750
Brad Wuebker, Saint Joseph, Mich., Rutgers University, $750
Adam Goedde, Dieterich, Ill., Pennsylvania State University, $500
Steven Shavel, Garfield Heights, Ohio, Ohio State University, $500
Winners were selected by the GCSAA Scholars Competition Task Group. Criteria included academic achievement, potential to become a leading industry professional, employment history, extracurricular activities and recommendations from a current academic advisor and a superintendent with whom the student has worked.
Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized undergraduate program in a major field related to golf/turf management and be a GCSAA member. Undergraduate applicants must have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours or the equivalent of one year of full-time study in an appropriate major.
For more information on the program, visit the education section of www.gcsaa.org.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact:
Craig Smith, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 4431 or 785-691-9197 (cell)
csmith@gcsaa.org
