The Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation recently awarded 2006-2007 GCBAA scholarships to students interested in careers in golf course construction, design or management. Students enrolled at 11 participating universities were awarded one-year, $1,000 scholarships and received two-year affiliate GCBAA memberships and mentorship opportunities, allowing them access to several GCBAA-related programs and events that will encourage their involvement in the course construction industry.
The GCBAA's scholarship program is designed to provide students with financial and professional assistance as they study and embark on their careers in golf course construction, design and management.
The GCBAA scholarship recipients and their respective schools are as follows:
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln - Lincoln, Neb.: Jared Kalin, junior - professional golf management
- Penn State University - University Park, Pa.: Brett Nagy, senior - landscape architecture
- Methodist College - Fayetteville, N.C.: Erick Farley, senior - professional golf management
- Lake City Community College - Lake City, Fla.: Matthew Costagua, senior - landscape architecture
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Wis.: Charles Langfeldt, senior - landscape architecture
- Kansas State University - Manhattan, Kan.: Daryn Soldan, second-year graduate student in landscape architecture
- Colorado State University - Fort Collins, Colo.: JD Wise, senior - landscape horticulture concentration in turfgrass
- Arizona State University - Tempe, Ariz.: Doug Giannini and Todd Harris, seniors - professional golf management
- University of California-San Diego - San Diego, Calif.: Jeff Wilson and Robert Mowry, seniors - urban planning and studies
- Washington State University - Pullman, Wash.: Paul Alan Easling, junior - construction management
- Rutgers University - New Brunswick, N.J.: Jonathan Mullineaux, senior - landscape architecture; Timothy Sibicky, senior - plant science, turfgrass and horticulture emphasis
Eligible students had to be in their third, fourth or fifth year of study in the following degree programs: professional golf management, construction management, landscape architecture, turf grass management and golf course operations. Students also had to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients also receive professional support. Each student is given a two-year affiliate membership in the GCBAA, which entitles them to the GCBAA's membership directory, Web site and local member meetings. Students also receive the GCBAA newsletter, "Earth Shaping News," and complimentary passes to selected professional golf events.
As affiliate members, GCBAA scholars may also participate in the GCBAA's Member Internship and Mentoring Program with a local GCBAA member or company. This program gives scholarship recipients access to professionals in their respective fields in order to learn from--and possibly gain future employment with--golf construction industry practitioners.
The GCBAA encourages its members to match scholarship funds at any of the selected universities. For the 2006-2007 academic year, three GCBAA members donated matching scholarship funds to Arizona State University, Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin, which allowed for additional scholarships to be awarded. The GCBAA will also select 10 additional schools in the 2007-2008 academic year to receive scholarship funding.
GCBAA members may contact the GCBAA to recommend universities that have academic programs meeting the GCBAA's scholarship program guidelines to receive scholarship funds. If those universities are selected to receive funds, members may also match scholarship funds at those universities. Selection for the 2007-2008 scholarships will begin in August 2007.
