RICHMOND –– Twenty-four (24) high school seniors and two turfgrass research students at Virginia Tech were among the 26 scholars honored as the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation announced its 2015 scholarship award recipients today at VSGA Day at Richmond Country Club.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to Virginia high school students who are interested in golf and who attend colleges and universities within the commonwealth. Criteria for the awards include an active interest in golf (ability not important), academic achievement and character. The Scholarship Foundation gives four-year awards which are conditional on students’ continued progress in academics as well as one-time merit awards.
This year’s grants totaled $77,000, with $38,000 going to nine four-year award recipients, $35,000 going to 15 merit award winners and $4,000 going to two students pursuing degrees in turfgrass management at Virginia Tech.
Since being launched in 1985 with three awards for $4,000, the program has now distributed more than $2 million ($2,030,000) in its 31 years. With this year’s 26 scholarships, the total number of recipients has reached 878 students. A portion of each VSGA VIP Card sale helps fund the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation.
“The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation joins in congratulating a special group of students who have excelled both academically, as well as outside the classroom and share an interest in golf,” said VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation president Michael Millen. “We have proudly surpassed $2 million in scholarships awarded, and know that such funding would not be possible without the participation of countless VSGA VIP cardholders, along with the individuals who support the program.”
The 2015 grants include the 16th C. Dan Keffer Award, which goes to an individual in honor of the former VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Committee Chairman. This year’s recipient was Sean Wilkins of Riner, Va., who received a $7,000 scholarship.
For a 22nd consecutive year, Spencer-Wilkinson awards were presented. The fund, formed by Debbie Spencer and Mary Nell Wilkinson, affords young women with an interest in golf the opportunity to pursue college and career development. Breanna Decker of Swoope was the top female award winner and received a $7,000 scholarship.
An additional Spencer-Wilkinson four-year award went to Abigail Philips of Roanoke, who earned a $4,000 scholarship.
The Red Speigle Award was given to Olivia Ritz of Newport News ($3,000). Named in honor of the late longtime PGA teaching professional, the award honors the top applicant from the Peninsula area. A former assistant professional at James River Country Club, as well as the head PGA professional at Hampton Golf Club, Speigle was one of Virginia’s pre-eminent teachers and was known for his work with juniors and many premier amateurs.
The David A. King Award ($3,000) went to Rachael Dougherty of Centreville. Mr. King, a senior amateur golfer in Virginia, established this scholarship in 2002.
In addition, two $2,000 turfgrass grants were awarded to Joe Tyler Green (Blacksburg), and Tyler L. Roberson (Stuart). The award recipients are in the turfgrass program at Virginia Tech.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation has a program in place to accept gifts and memorials. Anyone interested in funding a named scholarship or contributing to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation should contact the VSGA.
Since 1904, the VSGA has been dedicated to providing golfers a full range of services for the good of the game and golf in Virginia. Today, the VSGA is comprised of more than 325 member clubs and more than 75,000 members and VIP cardholders, and is committed to offering value and access to courses throughout the commonwealth. The VSGA’s core functions include the administration of the following programs: men’s and women’s championships; One-Day events; Rules of Golf; USGA Handicap System™; USGA Course Rating System™; Virginia Golfer magazine; and the VIP Card. The VSGA is a non-profit 501 (c)(4) organization.
2015 VSGA-VIP SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
(FOUR-YEAR AWARD WINNERS)
Sean Wilkins of Riner, Va., Auburn High School ($7,000 C. Dan Keffer Award) – Ranked No. 1 in his graduating class … A member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club … Honored as class vice president and treasurer … Rotary Club Junior Achievement award winner … Student of the year in Algebra, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus, AB Calculus, Spanish and DE English … Earned Auburn High School student of the month accolades … Wendy’s High School Heisman School Award winner … A part of the marching band and concert band at Auburn High School … Inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society … Selected as Student of the Month in September 2014 … Four-year member of the varsity golf team and garnered all-district and all-conference accolades … Also a part of the basketball, track and soccer teams; honored as co-captain of the basketball team … Member of the Interact and Rotary clubs … Virginia Tech.
Breanna Decker of Swoope, Va., Grace Christian High School ($7,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award) – Ranked among the top five students in her graduating class … Maintained above a 4.0 grade point average and has been on the Principal’s List all four years of high school … A leader as a part of the Student Government and National Honor Society … Excelled in a variety of advanced placement and honors courses; made all A’s throughout her prep career … Volunteered at a local summer retreat camp as an assistant counselor for the past four years … Also gave selflessly of her time in the children’s ministry and community clothes closet at her church … Plays piano at her church and worked at a community art camp and day camp … Was the only high school girl on the golf team at Grace Christian … Competed in several regional golf tournaments and went on to play in the state championship … Liberty University.
Olivia Ritz of Newport News, Va., Woodside High School ($3,000, including the Red Speigle Award) – Participated in the Newport News’ Public Schools’ inaugural eSHIP program, a partnership with Newport News Shipyard to advance careers in engineering … A member of the National Honor Society … Three-time recipient of the Woodside High Superstar teacher nominations … Third place in the web design category in the Hampton Roads, Va., Great Computer Challenge … Served as an Algebra II tutor at Woodside High … Four-year member of the Woodside High School golf team; honored as team captain and most valuable player in 2013-14 … Selected as the squad’s most improved player in 2012 … Works at Newport News at Deer Run Golf Club … Outside interests include photography, piano, guitar two-dimensional art and web design … Virginia Tech.
Rachel Dougherty of Centreville, Va., Westfield High School ($3,000, including the David A. King Award) – A member of the Summa Cum Laude honor roll and academic letter winner from 2011-14 … Presidential Academic Athletic Award recipient (2012-14) … Earned the Athlete Academic Scholar Award in 2013 … A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society … Garnered the Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizenship Award … Among a select number of students to attend an all-immersion program for three weeks to advance her Spanish skills … Outstanding Achievement Award for AP United States History … Four-year member of the Student Government Association, serving as a board officer (twice), as well as the publicity officer and treasurer … Confirmation youth leader and Vacation Bible School leader at her church … Honored with the Bulldog Award as a member of the Westfield High golf team, awarded to the player that demonstrates the most leadership and good character … Virginia Tech.
Abigail Philips of Roanoke, Va., Northside High School ($3,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award) – Ranked No. 1 in her high school graduating class … An AP Scholar … Member of the National Honor Society, serving as president during her senior year … Four-year member of The Pride of Northside Marching Band … Volunteer activities include serving The First Tee of Roanoke Valley, where she created ‘Girl’s Golf Day’ and managed the event for two years … Also gave of her time at the Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, where she was honored for outstanding service and volunteerism … Recognized by The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy, honoring students from around the country that exhibited outstanding leadership and volunteerism in their golf communities … An ‘Art in Motion’ student teacher … … A part of the Archery Club and Girl Scout Troop 812 … Head junior marshal … All-district honor band … University of Virginia.
Daniel Kelly of Williamsburg, Va., Jamestown High School ($3,000) – An AP Scholar with honors … Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award in AP Calculus … Earned the Academic Leadership Award in Economics and Personal Finance … Elected as senior class treasurer … Elected as vice president of Mu Alpha Theta … Top 20 Virginia Math League contestant for three years … Member of Jamestown High School’s Rho Kappa Honor Society as well as the Key Club, Student 2 Student Club, Model United Nations Club … Honored as co-captain of Jamestown’s golf team … Claimed the Virginia High School 4A state golf championships in 2013 and 2014 … First team all-conference selection in golf on two occasions … Also a member of the soccer team … Active member of his church … University of Virginia.
Logan Stone of Chesapeake, Va., Deep Creek High School ($4,000) – A member of the National Honor Society and Deep Creek High’s honor roll … Recipient of The Virginian Pilot Scholastic Achievement Award and the Superintendent’s Scholar-Athlete Award … Four-year member of Deep Cree High’s Straight A’s list … A class officer as well as a member of the Science Club and an FBLA member … Accepted into the Science and Medicine Academy … Financial Literacy Certification … Logged 60 hours shadowing emergency room physician assistants and emergency room doctors at Chesapeake Regional Hospital … Registered more than 75 volunteer hours in school and charities such as Roc Solid … Helped the varsity golf squad to a conference title … Also plays on the football, soccer and swimming teams … Virginia Tech.
Alec C. Tekamp of Norfolk, Va., Maury High School ($4,000) – President of the National Honor Society during his junior and senior years … Model United Nations participant and co-president as a senior … Ranked among the top 20 students of a 348-member senior class … Dartmouth Book Award recipient and an AP Scholar with Distinction … Earned a spot on the Academic High Honor Roll … Co-founder and editor of Literary Magazine … A member of the Latin Honor Society, Latin Club and Pink Club … A part of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Youth Group … Took part in mission trips in 2011 and 2013 … Participated in a medical and health specialties program .. Played baseball and was a baseball summer camp coach … Held part-time jobs as a lifeguard and in a local, high-end restaurant … An avid recreational golfer … University of Virginia.
Zachary N. Tekamp of Norfolk, Va., Maury High School ($4,000) – Earned Academic High honor roll accolades … A member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and French National Honor Society … Ranked among the top 10 students in a graduating class of 348 students … Membership chairperson of the Future Educators of America … Participated in Model United Nations … A part of the French Club, serving as treasurer his junior year … Co-founder and editor of Literary Magazine … Served on a mission trip in 2012 and 2013 … Active in his home congregation, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church … A part of the baseball, soccer and volleyball squads and plays golf on a regular basis … Virginia Tech.
STUDENTS EARNING ONE-TIME MERIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Jacob Barnard of Fincastle, Va., Lord Botetourt High School ($3,000) – Four-time recipient of the Virginia High School League Academic Excellence Award … Regularly appeared on a ‘A’ honor roll … Vice president of the National Honor Society … Took two mission trips to the Dominican Republic (2013 and 2014) … Logged more than 150 hours at Botetourt Veterinary Hospital … A part of the kennel staff at Valley Animal Hospital … Worked at Botetourt Golf and Swim Club … Volunteered at a food pantry … Member of the Lord Botetourt golf team all four years and honored as team captain during his senior season … Virginia Tech.
Evan Coulson of Radford, Va., Radford High School ($3,000) – Ranked among the top 10 students in his graduating class and owns a perfect 4.0 grade point average … Member of the National Honor Society and an Early College Scholar … Serves as a math tutor … Four-year varsity letterwinner as a member of the golf team at Radford High School … Honored as team captain and an all-conference selection … Works at The Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech as well as part-time as a cashier at a local grocery store … Mows lawns during the summer, including at his local church … Possesses culinary talents and is an accomplished beatboxer … Serves as a youth mentor … Virginia Tech.
Jay Feyerabend of Mechanicsville, Va., Atlee High School ($1,500) – Vice president of the Student Council Association … A part of the Honor Council and Key Club … Also a member of the Math Team, DECA (state finalist in grades nine and 10), and PEERS … Founding member of the Hanover Youth Service organization … Volunteered for various fundraisers with his involvement in Hanover Arc … Coaches middle school boys as a part of the Hanover Youth Basketball League … Four-year letterwinner on the golf team … Also played tennis (honored as a team captain his junior and senior seasons) and basketball … Work experience includes employment at The Federal Club … College of William & Mary.
Ashleigh Gooden of McGaheysville, Va., East Rockingham High School ($1,000) – Ranks in the top-half of her graduating class … Took advanced placement courses in government, studio art and two-dimensional design … Volunteered at Harrisonburg Social Service Center … Worked in the outside operations department as a golf car attendant at Lakeview Golf Course and after 12 months, was promoted to work in the food and beverage department as a snack bar attendant … Career goal is to become an art teacher … Blue Ridge Community College.
Gavin Hanks of Pulaski, Va., Pulaski County High School ($3,000) – Has served as class president … Awarded membership to the National Honor Society in 2013 and 2014 … Participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteered at his local church and assisted those in need at Pulaski Nursing Home … Young Life member … Active in various ministries at his local church … Student Council Association representative … Four-year member of the Pulaski County High School golf team and served as team captain since his sophomore season … Was medalist in 10 of 12 matches during the 2014 season and was recognized as conference player of the year … Honored as the Southwest Times Player of the Year in 2013-14 in addition to being an all-conference selection … Worked at The Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech …University of Virginia.
Katherine Hunt of Williamsburg, Va., Jamestown High School ($1,500) – Ranked among the top 20 students in her graduating class … Academic honors include appearing on the honor roll every semester during high school … Inducted into the National Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society and National English Honor Society …A part of Rho Kappa (Social Studies Honor Society) … Grade orientation leader for incoming freshmen … A member of the Latin Club and Key Club … Peer tutor in English and Latin … Children’s Group volunteer leader and a part of the church youth group at Williamsburg Community Chapel … Vacation Bible School leader … Violinist in church orchestra … Four-year member of the varsity golf and tennis teams … Earned scholar athlete awards in both sports … Helped the golf team to a state title during her junior and senior seasons … Has visited 20 national parks and this past summer hiked in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Mount Rainier … College of William & Mary.
Jamie Miller of Winchester, Va., John Handley High School ($3,000) – Served as secretary (junior year) and treasurer (senior year) as a part of the Student Government Association … Secretary of Rhoa Kappa (History Honor Society) … Inducted into the National Honor Society … A member of the Science National Honor Society … AP Scholar Award recipient … Handley Scholar award winner … Qualified to compete at the regional level for DECA … All-district chorus selection … Served as a Youth Group leader … First female in Handley High School history to letter on the golf team all four years of her participation … Competed in the Bobby Bowers Memorial and the VSGA Junior Girls’ Championship … Qualified for the Virginia High School league regional championship … A member of the Winchester Country Club MAPGA Interclub team … Also a standout tennis player … University of Virginia.
Eric Pawela of Glen Allen, Va., Deep Run High School ($3,000) – Valedictorian of his graduating class … Was a part of the Center for Information and Technology, which is recognized locally, regionally and nationally as an innovation leader in preparing secondary students for college education and careers in information technology … A member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Science National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society … A part of the Student Council Association, BETA Club, Leaders Club as well as Young Life and Key Club … Volunteers as a tutor at Maude Trevvett Elementary School … Leader of the ‘Virginia Star’ Project and Presentation … Worked at The Dominion Club and as a tennis instructor … Enjoys playing golf on a recreational basis … University of Virginia.
Thaddeaus Probst of Charlottesville, Va., Charlottesville High School ($1,000) – National Honor Society member … Member of the Key Club … Active in The First Tee initiatives where he has helped to administer classes to all levels of participants … Represented The First Tee in an inter-chapter event … Participated in and won The First Tee Speedgolf Championship … an all-state band selection … Provides clarinet lessons … A member of the varsity golf team at Charlottesville High School … Qualified individually and as a team member for the Virginia High School League Golf Championship … Worked in the outside services department at Farmington Country Club … Purchased a car with his own money saved primarily from a part-time after-school job … Virginia Tech.
Jonathan Robinson of Moneta, Va., Franklin County High School ($3,000) – Student Council Organization Governor’s School representative … Member of the National Honor Society … A Boy Scouts of America Life Scout (Troop 130) … Franklin County Boys’ State representative … Participated in the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School Science Fair, 2012-14 … Mentee with Smith Packett LLC in Roanoke, where he conducted statistical research into how demographics and income levels are tied to senior housing development … Active member of Trinity Ecumenical Parish Youth Group … Virginia Science Festival volunteer in 2014 … A member of his high school golf team … Also played lacrosse and tennis, as well as being a part of the chess club and science team … University of Virginia.
Brandon Shaw of Glen Allen, Va., Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies ($3,000) – Participates in a music group which writes, produces and performs original music …A member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society for music and MUS Club for music production … Three-time recipient of the Musicianship Award … National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar award recipient … First chair saxophone sectional leader … Member of the Richmond Jazz Guild …SPCA camp leader … A member of the golf team and honored as team captain during his senior season … Conference 33 champion golf team member … Worked as a customer service and eBay representative … Virginia Tech.
Andrew Sherfick of Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge High School ($1,500) – Attended Loudoun Governor’s Career and Technical STEM Academy with an emphasis on computer systems technology and advanced networking … An AP Scholar and inducted into the National Technical Honor Society … regional reporter officer and Stone Bridge chapter vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America … In regional competitive events, he won first place in the area of cyber security and help desk assistance … A member of the CyberPatriot Club where his team was in the platinum tier … Has a second degree black belt and is a martial arts student and instructor … Letterwinner as a member of the golf team at Stone Bridge High School … Golf shop attendant at Algonkian Regional Golf Course … Virginia Tech.
Charles Strimel of Roseland, Va., Nelson County High School ($3,000) – Has been included in the A/B honor roll during every semester throughout high school … A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society … As a junior, received the Academic Award for the varsity basketball team in recognition of owning the highest grade point average among players … Selected to participate in the American Legion’s Boys’ State of Virginia … Has volunteered at a local food bank and helped the Rebuilding Together project … Notes that playing golf has been important to his life development … Worked in a variety of capacities at Wintergreen Resort … George Mason University.
Matthew Sweeney of Mechanicsville, Va., Atlee High School ($3,000) – A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society (club historian as a senior), as well as the BETA Club and Academic Team (Quiz Bowl) … Extracurricular activities include Science Bowl, Key Club and is a Hanover Scholar … Served as a volunteer and intern at The Medical College of Virginia … Tutor at Atlee High School … A member of the varsity golf team and honored as team captain his junior and senior seasons … Has worked as a lifeguard, caddie and Upward referee … University of Virginia.
Nicolle Wootten of Spotsylvania, Va., Spotsylvania High School ($1,500) – Member of the Student Council Association … Inducted into the National Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) … A part of the high school Debate Team and vice president of Junior Council … Spotsylvania High School Senior Council board member … Honors include being the recipient of the Outstanding Spanish Student Award, the Outstanding Underclassman in Business Management, the Outstanding Individual Development Student and Outstanding Advanced English 11 student … Selected as the Optimist Club of Fredericksburg Student of the Month last fall … Three-year member of the high school golf team … University of Virginia.
FOR THE 19th TIME, STUDENTS WORKING TOWARD TURFGRASS DEGREES AT VIRGINIA TECH RECEIVED ASSISTANCE
Joe Tyler Green of Blacksburg, Va. ($2,000) – Pursuing a degree in Crop and Environmental Sciences—Turfgrass Management at Virginia Tech … Field assistant in the Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science Glade Road Research Center in Blacksburg where he is working under Dr. Shawn Askew … Helping and participating in research trials … Completing day-to-day maintenance around mow research areas (fairways, rough and greens) … Former summer intern at Colleton River Plantation’s Nicklaus Course in Bluffton, S.C., where he led project crews and applied chemicals and fertilizers to greens, tees and fairways … Member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America … Roles and award include being president of the Virginia Turf Club as well as president, vice president and secretary of the Future Farmers of America … Farm Bureau scholarship recipient … A part of the 2014 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Educational Turf Bowl Team.
Travis L. Roberson of Stuart, Va. ($2,000) – Active in the Department of Crop and Environmental Science and Turf Management department as a part of his studies at Virginia Tech … Research assistant at Glade Road Research Center at Virginia Tech where he is working under David McCall … Coordinating and examining research trials as well as mowing research areas … Worked in golf course maintenance at The Highland Course at Primland Resort where he collaborated on a bunker project, which entailed dethatching and seeding bunker faces to improve the course … Also installed coring tines on aerator to aerate greens, tees and surrounds … Calculated rates for chemicals to spray fairways and surrounding areas … Managed crews, walk-mowed and watered greens as well as performing maintenance on other areas of the course … A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America … Earned a Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association scholarship, as well as an award from the Virginia Turfgrass Association.
COLLEGE BOUND
A look at where VSGA Scholarship recipients are planning on attending college in the fall.
College
No. of VSGA Scholarship Recipients
Virginia Tech
10 students
University of Virginia
Nine students
College of William & Mary
Two students
Blue Ridge Community College
One student
George Mason University
One student
Liberty University
One student
Virginia Tech (turfgrass program)
Two students