The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2009 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grants to Jenna Gunselman, Eric Andresen, Morgan Millies and Jackson Esoda.
"The Garske Grants are one of the unique scholarship opportunities GCSAA makes available to students each year," said GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, 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."
Gunselman, from Cross Plains, Tenn., 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 Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., beginning in the fall as a pre-med major. Her stepfather, Jeffrey Madsen, is the GCSAA Class A golf course superintendent at The Club at Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin, Tenn. He is a 25-year GCSAA member.
Andresen, from Boulder, Colo., earned a $1,500 scholarship with a second place finish. He will attend Oklahoma State University with plans to study fire protection and safety technology engineering. His father, Jeff Andresen, is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Ute Creek Golf Course in Longmont, Colo., and is a 26-year GCSAA member.
Millies, from Big Bend, Wis., earned the $1,000 third-place scholarship. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a pre-med student. Her father, Jeffrey Millies, CGCS, is a 24-year GCSAA member and is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend, Wis.
Esoda, the 2008 Garske Grant winner from Marietta, Ga., renewed his $2,500 scholarship for a second year. The sophomore at Georgia Tech is majoring in industrial and systems engineering. His father, Mark Esoda, CGCS, is a 23-year GCSAA member and is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Ga.
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. The grant is renewable for a second year with proof of enrollment and a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
“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.”