First Tee – Pittsburgh Scholarships
Deacon Palmer Scholarship
The Deacon Palmer Scholarship was started by First Tee – Pittsburgh in conjunction with the Deacon Palmer Endowment Fund as a way to provide our chapter’s active participants with financial assistance for college. The Scholarship Committee is pleased to offer scholarship assistance to qualified First Tee participants who have demonstrated exceptional merit, citizenship, academic achievement, as well as service and commitment to the mission of First Tee – Pittsburgh. A $2,000 scholarship, renewable each academic year, is available based on selection criteria for a maximum of 2 participants per year. Scholarship awardees may seek renewal in successive years by meeting the stated requirements. Applications are released in early March, and must be submitted by mid-April. Awardees are announced in June each year, and recognized at the annual Tee It Forward dinner in September.
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Bob Ford Leadership Award
The Bob Ford Leadership Award was started the former Head Professional of Oakmont Country Club, Bob Ford and First Tee – Pittsburgh. Bob Ford exemplifies the spirit of golf in Western Pennsylvania as a player, teacher, head professional, and director of golf at Oakmont Country Club and head pro at Seminole Country Club in Florida. His leadership distinguishes him as a consummate professional and ambassador of the game. The Bob Ford Leadership Award is given annually to a First Tee – Pittsburgh participant who embodies these qualities on and off the golf course. Participants submit an essay by early August, outlining the impact the First Tee of Pittsburgh has had on their life, which is reviewed by the scholarship committee. Finalists for the award MUST BE available to interview with Mr. Ford in person in late August at a date and time to be determined by mutual agreement.
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Morty Gurrentz Scholarship
The Morty Gurrentz scholarship was started and funded by the Joan and Rodger Gurrentz family in partnership with First Tee-Pittsburgh as a way to provide our chapter’s active participants financial assistance for college or other post-secondary educational purposes. The Scholarship Committee is pleased to offer scholarship assistance to qualified First Tee participants who have demonstrated exceptional merit, citizenship, academic achievement, service, and commitment to the mission of First Tee-Pittsburgh. A $5,000 scholarship, renewable each academic year, is available based on selection criteria for one recipient per year. Scholarship awardees may seek renewal in successive years by meeting the stated requirements for no more than 4 years.
CLICK HERE to download a PDF with all of the Morty Gurrentz Scholarship Info
Other Scholarships
Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Junior Golf Scholarship
The Tri-State PGA Reach, the 501(c)3 Charitable Organization of the Tri-State PGA, invites graduating high school seniors to apply for the Frank B Fuhrer Jr Golf Scholarship. This scholarship, named in honor of long-time Western Pennsylvania businessman and golf supporter Frank B Fuhrer Jr, will award a one-time $5,000.00 scholarship to one male and one female who exemplify strong leadership, work ethic, sportsmanship, and an interest in the game of golf. To apply, please review the criteria below. All applications must be received in the Tri-State PGA Office by Friday, May 14th, 2021, at 4:00 PM
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Girls Golf (LPGA & USGA)
We are proud to announce that we have $135,000 in scholarship money available for eligible high school seniors. This makes it the largest amount available in LPGA Foundation history, thanks to amazing partners like the Chevron Corporation.
The LPGA Foundation administers several scholarship programs for young women who enjoy the game of golf and plan to attend college in the fall. Qualifications for all scholarships include strong academic programs, community service, and recommendations. Click the link below to go to their website.
The LPGA Foundation’s structure also allows for the establishment of endowed scholarships in honor or in memory of individuals who made a significant difference in the world of golf.
girlsgolf.org/about/scholarships
Western Golf Association & Evans Scholars Foundation
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a one-year full tuition and housing scholarship, renewable for four years, but only available to caddies. There are nearly 900 Evans Scholars currently enrolled at 20 universities, and over 10,800 have graduated. (Former participant Victoria Slawinski caddied at Oakmont Country Club, and became the first participant from the First Tee of Pittsburgh to earn an Evans Scholarship in January 2019. She is currently studying engineering at Penn State University.)
Applications are available online beginning August 1 each year, and must be completed by October 31, when the review process will begin. All decisions are finalized by April 1. Complete details are available on their website at www.wgaesf.org.
West Penn Golf Association Scholarship
Founded in 1941, this is open to participants who have worked at a WPGA member club for at least two years. The program typically has 10-12 students receiving aid, and is renewable for up to four years if students maintain a cumulative 2.8 GPA or above.
Applications from eligible high school seniors must be submitted to the WPGA by late November, and final interviews are done in April. Please contact Tim Manwaring at [email protected]
Gals On and Off the Green Scholarship
The GALS (Growing, Achieving, Learning, Succeeding) Scholarship is for females only, and was established in 2013 by Jackie Sorrenti, the founder of Gals on the Green, and a former Board Member with First Tee – Pittsburgh. The scholarship is for up to $2,500 annually, and can be renewed. Applications are available online, and must be submitted by August 1, prior to the student’s senior year of high school.