Non-profit organization awards $365,000 to 19 students across the country
Monterey, Calif. – Youth on Course – the nonprofit organization providing youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf – proudly announces its class of 2026 College Scholarship recipients, awarding $365,000 in scholarships to 19 exceptional students as they begin their higher education journeys.
Selected from a competitive pool of 558 applicants nationwide, this year’s scholarship recipients were recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and perseverance. The 2026 class represents 11 states and 7 first-generation college students, reflecting Youth on Course’s commitment to expanding access to opportunity through golf.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize and celebrate our scholarship recipients and the entire class of 2026,” said Adam Heieck, CEO of Youth on Course. “These remarkable students have demonstrated exceptional dedication in the classroom, as leaders and in service to their communities. Thanks to the generosity of our scholarship donors, we are honored to invest in their futures and help drive more access to higher education.”
The 2026 Youth on Course Scholarship Recipients are:
- Anisaa Abdulla, Dallas, TX – University of Texas at Austin
- Ayuka Yang, Los Angeles, CA – University of California, Santa Barbara
- Hailey Wade, Lexington, KY – University of Michigan
- Isabel Helgemoe, Scottsdale, AZ – California State University, Los Angeles
- Jae Cha, San Francisco, CA – California Polytechnic State University
- James Tolliver, Carmel Valley, CA – Oregon State University
- Jennifer Barrientos, San Jose, CA – St. Olaf College
- Jeremiah Park, Silver Spring, MD – Dartmouth College
- Jordyn Lorence, Sherwood, OR – Bushnell University
- Juan Diego Morales Melini, Weston, FL – University of Florida
- Kameron Marshock, Nampa, ID – University of Idaho
- Kiet Bach, Sacramento, CA – University of California, Irvine
- Nerissa Griffith, Portland, OR – Oregon State University Honors College
- Princeton Perkins, San Marcos, TX – Texas State University
- Priscilla Castillo-Amador, Modesto, CA – University of California, San Diego
- Samuel West, Atlanta, GA – University of Pennsylvania
- Skyler Xue, Bethesda, MD – Yale University
- Shmily Sun, Las Vegas, NV – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Yashvi Patel, Port Byron, IL – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Youth on Course College Scholarships help high school seniors take the next step in their educational journey by making higher education more accessible, particularly for students facing financial barriers. Since its inception, the program has supported hundreds of students on their path to college, paving the way for the 40% of our scholars who are first-generation college students.
Applications open annually each October for eligible Youth on Course members who are high school seniors planning to enroll as full-time college students and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Following a comprehensive application and interview process, recipients are selected by the Youth on Course College Scholarship Committee.
For more information about Youth on Course, visit youthoncourse.org.
About Youth on Course
Youth on Course, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Monterey, Calif., provides youth 18 and under access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Since its inception in 2006, Youth on Course members have played more than 5 million subsidized rounds of golf for $5 or less at thousands of partner courses throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its members include the top juniors in the sport, competing on the AJGA and Underrated Tours, the inaugural United States Golf Association U.S. National Development Team, and all collegiate levels. The organization forges new pathways for youth to grow in the game via opportunities, including the DRIVE Club, Careers on Course, Leadership Council, and its annual College Scholarship awards. The Youth on Course Alumni Network extends membership to those 19 and older, offering opportunities for young adults to connect at complementary events, access exclusive deals, and network with the top employers in the golf industry. Supporters can participate in various initiatives, including the Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike, the Vintage Cup, and the Online Auction, to help fund golf access for youth. More information about Youth on Course can be found by visiting youthoncourse.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Olivia Prentice
Buffalo Groupe
210.793.3784
