LAWRENCE, Kansas – The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has awarded its 2022 Par Aide Garske Grants to Nathan Daly, Cabot Ellis, Madison Kennedy, Jake Larson, Meghan MacDonald, Josephine Marcinek, Rhianna Mathews, Avalon Ramsey, Jack Stone, Mason Vander Pol, and Kristen Wallace.
Established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske, the Par Aide Garske Grant is funded by the golf course accessory company and administered by the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.
For 19 years, the program has helped children and stepchildren of GCSAA members fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants. There are eleven grants awarded for a total of $14,000. Grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay.
“GCSAA is grateful for Par Aide’s ongoing support of the association and the children of its members, who will be able to achieve their academic goals thanks in part to the Par Aide Garske Grant,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “We are hopeful these students will be set up for success well into the future, and we extend our gratitude to Par Aide for their continued generosity.”
- Ramsey has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Central Florida to major in forensic science. Her father, Joseph N. Ramsey, is the director of golf and grounds at Quail Ridge Property Owners Association in Boynton Beach, Fla.
- Vander Pol has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning to attend Iowa State University to major in biochemistry. His father, Mike J. Vander Pol, is the superintendent at Emerald Hills Golf Course in Arnolds Park, Iowa.
- Daly has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Providence College to major in history. His father, Patrick J. Daly III, CGCS, is the director of golf course and grounds operations at Framingham (Mass.) Country Club.
- Ellis has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Texas A&M University to major in turfgrass science. His father, Craig D. Ellis, is the superintendent at Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif.
- Kennedy has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Yakima Valley College to major in nursing. Her father, Jamie W. Colson, is the superintendent at Sun Country Golf Course in Cle Elum, Wash.
- Larson has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse to major in exercise science. His father, William R. Larson, CGCS, is the superintendent at Town and Country Club in St. Paul, Minn.
- MacDonald has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Tufts University to major in computer science. Her father, Brad M. MacDonald, is the superintendent at Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills in Quincy, Mass.
- Mathews has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University to major in pre-veterinary. Her father, Aaron Mathews, is the superintendent at Cole Park Golf Course in Fort Campbell, Tenn.
- Marcinek has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Thomas Aquinas College to major in exercise science. Her father, Darrell Marcinek, CGCS, is the superintendent at Somerset County Park Commission in North Branch, N.J.
- Stone has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to major in finance. His father, Daniel Stone, is the superintendent at Quashnet Valley Country Club in Mashpee, Mass.
- Wallace has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Kansas State University to major in marketing and finance. Her father, William L. Wallace, CGCS, is the superintendent at Denton (Texas) Country Club.
