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2020 Scholarship Winners
$34,000 in scholarships awarded
The Wisconsin PGA Junior Foundation is proud to announce the 2020 scholarship winners.
Thirty four individuals were awarded scholarships totaling $34,000. We congratulate all the applicants for their great accomplishments.
Tony Coleman Scholarship $1,250 (One boy recipient)
Derek Vaillancourt of Fort Atkinson was awarded the Tony Coleman Memorial Scholarship for $1,250. Tony was the PGA General Manager and COO for Bishops Bay Country Club from 1994-2013. He led the facility from its development into the first rate operation it remains today. Tony was a 36-year member of the PGA. Tony’s passion for golf was most evident when working with a junior golfer wishing to excel in the game. This scholarship was made possible by the generous support of the Coleman family, friends, Bishops Bay CC members and the membership of the Wisconsin PGA.
College Scholarships
Jack Anderson - $1,000
Erika Priebe - $1,000
Lorenza Martinez - $750
Bella Dory - $750
Jack Clifford - $750
Reis Schweiner - $500
Terry Noel Scholarship ($1,250)
Paul Lynch of Trevor was awarded the Terry Noel Memorial Scholarship for $1,250. Terry was a tribute to golf, but more importantly a tribute to respect and love of mankind and the ability to spread happiness with his kindness and constant smile. Terry was first and foremost a loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend to all he met. Terry was also a proud Army veteran from the Vietnam era, serving most of his time in Germany and at The Presidio in San Francisco, CA. Finally, Terry was an avid, passionate golfer who spread his goodwill on the course and off.
High School Senior Scholarships
Katherine Meier - $1,000
Lauren Bonetti - $1,000
Alex Borgen - $1,000
Mitchell Becker - $1,000
Elizabeth Torhorst - $1,000
Charlie Somers - $750
Amanda Ruona - $750
Sadie Kelley - $750
Samantha Krutz - $500
Ben Gilkay - $500
Josh Teplin - $500
Ian Hoffman - $500
Thomas Kriewaldt - $500
Drake Wilcox - $500
Elizabeth Kaiser - $500
Ally Nickel – $500
Caitlyn Ott - $500
Hannah Harper - $500
Piercen Hunt - $500
Marty Swab Kid to Kid Scholarship - $1,250
Jack Summers of Richfield was awarded the Kid to Kid Scholarship. Marty Swab, currently a senior at Menomonee Fall High School, started the Kid to Kid Scholarship in 2017. This scholarship will be awarded based on three qualities: showing a solid history of giving back to the community, integrity and sportsmanship. The ideal candidate for this scholarship shows a history of giving back to others, a positive attitude, and being graceful in victory or defeat. Your character on the golf course will also be considered. The funds for this scholarship were raised by the generous donations from golfers throughout the state. Marty, a WPGA Junior Foundation member for 11 years, raised the money by collecting donations at area golf courses and out in the community. Marty raised over $50,000 for the WPGA Junior Foundation since he started raising funds at the age of seven. In the fall of 2020, Marty will be moving on to Lake Forest College and will be studying computer science and playing for the golf team.
Wisconsin Golf Salesperson’s Association Scholarship $1,250
Wisconsin Golf Salespersons' Association Scholarship - $1,250
Wisconsin Golf Salespersons' Association Scholarship - $1,250
Marty Swab of Menomonee Falls was awarded the WGSA Scholarship.The Wisconsin Golf Salesperson’s Association (WIGSA) is a non-profit organization comprised of sales representatives that serve golf throughout the state. A part of the mission of the WIGSA is to foster a positive relationship with PGA Professionals. Another part is to give back to the game and this scholarship is a direct reflection of their dedication to their profession and to the game. This scholarship aims to reward the hard-working efforts of those working to put themselves through school.
Kevin Dunn Memorial Scholarship ($1,250)
Payton Hodson of Middleton was awarded the Kevin Dunn Memorial Scholarship for $1,250. Family and friends were the most important parts of Kevin’s life and he shared his passion for golf with them wholeheartedly. In his youth, his summers were mostly spent at area golf courses. He caddied at Westmoor C.C. and honed his golf skills through tournaments such as the Junior Masters at Johnson Park and as a member of the Waukesha South High School golf team. While many of his childhood friends continued to be close golf buddies, he also forged new friendships as both a player in state tournaments and club events at Muskego Lakes C.C., and also as a junior golf spectator. He was an active member of an online golf forum and participant in the 2011 Morgan Cup which extended his circle of golf comrades throughout the U.S. and abroad. Golf was a major piece of his family life – he taught his wife Mary and daughter Grace the game he loved. They enjoyed many hours playing and practicing together that will always be cherished. He often said the most joy he ever experienced from golf was spectating at his daughter’s junior, high school and college events. He was particularly proud that he had attended all but a handful of Grace's many tournaments.
American Family Insurance Scholarship - $3,000 (One boy and One girl recipient)
The WPGA Junior Foundation has teamed up with the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation to offer these two scholarships. American Family Insurance has brought a new PGA Champions Tour event to Wisconsin. The event was played at University Ridge on June 21-23. As part of the event the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation is making charitable donations to groups around the state and the WPGA Junior Foundation was chosen to receive some of these funds.
Girls Winner – Markie Ash of Waupaca - $3,000
Boys Winner – Stanford Swid of Mosinee - $3,000
Balance and Believe Scholarship - $2,000 (Two recipients)
Balance & Believe Foundation Scholarship - $2,000 (two recipients)
The Balance & Believe Foundation, based in Madison, WI, was formed in 2014 by Derek Schnarr to help promote junior golf, teach life lessons, and focus on community service. These three pillars of the Foundation come together in the Foundation's mission statement - Promoting junior golf, while providing a platform for kids to give back to the community. Over the past four years the Foundation has used this event, previously called the Michael Luedtke Memorial Golf Outing, to raise the necessary funds to support the multitude of programs in the Madison area they are involved with. The programs range from the Food Pantry and Resource Center at Falk Elementary School, to the Snack Pack program at Olson Elementary School, B&B36 program, Longest Day of Golf, and the B&B Community, Michael Luedtke, and Dick Wilson Memorial Scholarships.
Girls Winner – Aubrie Pero of Cambridge - $2,000
Boys Winner – Zach Shawhan of Mount Pleasant - $2,000
(Augusta, GA – Sunday, April 7, 2024) Two young ladies represented Wisconsin at the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals. McKenna Nelson and Taytum Oswald are enjoying the grounds of Augusta National today during the Monday practice round. The coolest part? They both will be bringing hardware back home after stellar performances in their respective age divisions. 2024 marks a special year – it has been exactly one decade since the USGA, PGA of America and The Masters Tournament conceived a one-of-a-kind skills competition where boys and girls all over the country set out to advance through qualifying stages in hopes of competing at Augusta National during Masters week. What’s even more special? McKenna Nelson, the 2023 Wisconsin State Golf Association’s Player of the Year, is the first Wisconsin junior to be crowned Champion at the DCP Finals. For starters, her 262-yard-drive was amongst four golfers in her age group that shattered the previous record for longest drive at the Finals (251 yards). Next up: chipping – followed by putting on the 18th green. Chipping proved to be troublesome for a few competitors, including Nelson, but she was quick to bounce back. She put together a solid second chip and headed to the putting competition knowing she “wanted to put herself in a good place where she (thought) she could do it (win).” (Clip from Golf Channel’s Kira K. Dixon below). Long story short, she needed to land both the 15-footer and 30-footer within 3.5 feet. The 30-foot putt is first in the rotation – McKenna’s attempt fell within 2’7″ of the hole. The Beaver Dam native rolled the 15 -footer a mere 8″ from the cup to capture first place. A sigh of relief? Certainly. All the hard work paid off. She was just a few minutes away from the trophy ceremony. Taytum (Oswald) finished third overall in the Girls 10-11 age division. The Beloit native placed 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in the driving and chipping disciplines but fell short in putting. Her brother, Trey Oswald, caddied for her during the competition. For Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals results – click here.
The purpose of the WPGA Junior Foundation scholarship program is to assist graduating high school and college students in financing their college education. There are 2 separate scholarship forms. One is for graduating high school seniors and the other is for current college students. Please choose the appropriate one. In 2023, the WPGA Junior Foundation awarded 33 scholarships totaling $65,000. We anticipate awarding even more in 2024. All applications will be taken online. Please make sure you have your transcripts and letters of recommendations forms available to attach to your application online. High School Applicants - Click Here to apply online College Applicants - Click Here to apply online Deadline for both scholarship applications is April 24, 2024. #LendAHand Scholarship #LendAHand was created with the goal of helping those in need to get back on the golf course and playing in events throughout the state. We recognize the many financial hardships families continue to endure and we want to give back! Thanks to the help of our donors, we are able to offer accepted applicants up to $100 towards tournament registration fees. Apply here
Check out the Year in Review from our 2023 Junior season
We are hiring interns for the 2024 season