The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2010 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grants to Chelsea Gradoville, Alexandria Aitken, Cortney Nagel and Jenna Gunselman.
"The Garske Grants are one of the unique scholarship opportunities GCSAA makes available to students each year," said GCSAA President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS. "Thanks to Par Aide and The Environmental Institute for Golf, the Garske Grants are also one of the unique benefits to our members - scholarship money available toward their children's college education."
Gradoville, from Palos Verdes, Calif., earned a $2,500 scholarship with a first-place finish in the overall scoring of the Garske Grant application process which includes community service, leadership, academic performance, and a written essay. She will attend Notre Dame University. Her father, Patrick Gradoville, is a GCSAA certified golf course superintendent and the director of golf course and grounds at Palos Verdes (Calif.) Golf Club. He is a 25-year GCSAA member.
Aitken, from Carbondale, Colo., earned a $1,500 scholarship with a second place finish. She will attend the University of Denver. Her father, Steven Aitken, is the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Aspen (Colo.) Golf Club and is a 24-year GCSAA member.
Nagel, from Manhattan, Kan., earned the $1,000 third-place scholarship. She will attend Kansas State University. Her stepfather, Charles Dipman, is the GCSAA superintendent member at Manhattan (Kan.) Country Club and is a 33-year GCSAA member.
Gunselman, from Cross Plains, Tenn., was the first place winner in 2009 and renewed her $2,500 scholarship for a second year. She is a rising sophomore at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. Her stepfather, Jeffrey Madsen, is the GCSAA Class A golf course superintendent at The Club at Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin, Tenn., and is a 26-year GCSAA member.
The Garske Grant was established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske. It is funded by Par Aide and administered by The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. The program assists children of GCSAA members to fund their education at an accredited college or trade school. Beginning in 2011, an additional winner will receive a scholarship, as one-time, one-year grants will be awarded to four new winners, without renewals.
'We believe it's important to recognize golf course superintendents for their tireless dedication to the game of golf," said Steve Garske, Par Aide president. "It's great to be able to give something back to superintendents and their children."
