Alexandria, VA – The Club Foundation announces the 2025 Willmoore H. Kendall Scholars:
- Sam Bailey, Assistant General Manager, Fort Wayne Country Club, Fort Wayne, IN
- Diane Easter, Clubhouse Manager, The Commonwealth Club, Richmond, VA
- Elliott Freeman, Director of Youth Activities and Aquatics, Governors Club, Chapel Hill, NC
- Molly Knop, Director of Membership, Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Brittany Lewis, Food and Beverage Director, Baltimore Country Club, Baltimore, MD
- Kevin Pollack, Portland, OR
- Krystal Nicole Sawyer, Assistant Clubhouse Manager, Old Town Club, Winston-Salem, NC
- Cory Siegel, Clubhouse Manager, Portland Golf Club, Portland, OR
The Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship was established in memory of 1998 Club Management Association of America (CMAA) President Willmoore “Bill” Kendall, CCM. He was well-known for his heartfelt openness to mentoring aspiring professionals in the industry. Kendall was an ardent supporter of CMAA and dedicated countless hours as a Chapter and National volunteer. This highly competitive scholarship provides funding for club management professionals to complete all the professional development programs needed to obtain their Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
CMAA President and CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, explains, “This prestigious and highly competitive scholarship empowers club management professionals to deepen their expertise, expand their perspectives, and advance confidently toward their professional aspirations.”
2025 Recipient Diane Easter shared, “I am so honored to receive the Willmoore H. Kendall Scholarship and look forward to starting my journey to the CCM designation. This scholarship will allow me to focus on continuing to grow in my knowledge of the club industry and bring what I learn back to my club to benefit both our staff and members. The financial benefit of this scholarship relieves a burden for clubs with limited budgets, and I am beyond excited about what this gift will help me accomplish.”
For more information, please visit clubfoundation.org.
About The Club Foundation
The Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by CMAA in 1988. The Foundation seeks to fund the life cycle of a club manager’s career, providing financial support for five key areas: students, faculty, club managers, CMAA Chapters, and the club industry at large. It supports the advancement of club management professionals, funding industry education programs through scholarships and grants. Donations to The Club Foundation are essential to the continued success of the club industry and support club management professionals at every stage of their careers. Since 1988, The Club Foundation has awarded more than $8.5 million in scholarships and grants to provide individuals with professional development opportunities, education and research, and essential training. Learn more at clubfoundation.org.
About CMAA
Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 8,100 members throughout the US and internationally. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,600 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for efficient and successful club operations. Under the covenants of professionalism, education, leadership, and community, CMAA continues to extend its reach as the leader in the club management practice. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 38 professional chapters and 40 current and prospective student chapters. Learn more at cmaa.org.
Media Contact:
Melissa Low, CAE
goodnews@cmaa.org
