Moses Lake, WA – Golf It Forward was recently represented at6 The Desert Oasis Invitational at Moses Lake Golf Club by Faith Sampson, a Marilynn Smith Scholarship recipient, also known as a Pearl. The tournament was themed to honor the first US Women’s Open held in 1946 in Spokane, WA with Patty Berg its winner.
Tournament Director Susan Echketkamp invited Sampson to address the tournament attendees, forwarding the legacy of the 13 Founders of the LPGA. “While researching the first US Women’s Open, I was referred to Golf It Forward® and learned of the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Fund” shared Echketkamp. “Faith Sampson, a 2025 scholarship recipient, took us on a journey from first applying for the grant to her current status, incorporating golf history as well.”
When asked about her experience speaking, Washington native Faith Sampson said “I spoke about how I originally got into golf, including how Kalispel Country Club (the old Spokane Country Club) was one of my first tournaments. I also shared things I learned about Marilynn and the founders when I was applying for the scholarship.”
In recent years, Golf It Forward has developed opportunities for scholarship recipients to pay it forward by attending events, experiencing the world of golf and sharing wisdoms gained through their own journey. Sampson is one of eight Marilynn Smith Pearls attending events across the country this year representing Golf It Forward. These Pearls are charged with educating event participants about the 13 Founders of the LPGA and encouraging more high school senior girls to apply for the scholarship. Other engagements include the 75th Anniversary of the LPGA at Pebble Beach, Fortinet Founders Cup, The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Pro-Am and the Sandra Gal Driving Dreams Invitational.
To learn more about Golf It Forward, the Marilynn Smith Scholarship Recipients (Pearls) email 13Founders@golfitforward.org.
ABOUT GOLF IT FORWARD®
(GIF) GOLF IT FORWARD is the public face of the Marilynn Smith and Founders’ Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation embodies the ingenuity, drive and passion of 13 women who had the foresight to see that there was a future for women in golf and golf in the future of women. For more information on GIF, please go to www.GolfItForward.org
PRESS CONTACT Debbie Waitkus – President
