The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) Foundation recognized the next generation of golfers by awarding financial scholarships to two high school student-athletes as part of the recent ASGCA Annual Meeting in La Jolla, California.
Partnering with The First Tee of San Diego and CMF Global, the Foundation recognized the academic and athletic achievements of two high school juniors: Christina Park of Torrey Pines (California) High School and Howon Choo of Rancho Bernardo (California) High School.
Park and Choo each received $1,000 toward their college educations, and spent a day with more than 90 ASGCA members. The students joined members for golf at La Jolla (California) Country Club and spent the afternoon participating in an ASGCA education session. They capped the day with their parents by attending the ASGCA Donald Ross Dinner, where “Golfweek” magazine’s Architecture Editor Bradley S. Klein received ASGCA’s most prestigious award.
“The ASGCA Foundation continues its ongoing commitment to giving back and furthering the game of golf through a number of initiatives,” said ASGCA Foundation President John LaFoy. “Our members enjoyed getting to know Christina and Howon, and it’s our pleasure to assist them with their future academic careers.”
Park is San Diego Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, Southern California PGA Chapter Player of the Year and has a 4.2 GPA. She has qualified for the last three Callaway Junior Golf World Championships and was a 2014 United States Women’s Amateur Championship qualifier.
Howon has a 3.8 GPA and has achieved Eagle level at The First Tee of San Diego. He led Rancho Bernardo to a second place finish in the 2014 California Boys Golf State Championship. Off the course, Howon plays the cello for his school’s orchestra and ensemble, and qualified for the National Quiz Bowl finals in Chicago.
The students’ day at the Annual Meeting was sponsored by CMF Global, an ASGCA corporate partner. CMF Global is a U.S. based company that supplies, consolidates and ships pipe, valves fittings etc., for construction of irrigation and other infrastructure systems around the world.
ASGCA Foundation Background
The ASGCA Foundation helps fund the research of golf course design and to disseminate information to those interested in designating green space for recreational purposes. The ASGCA Foundation is dedicated to growing the game of golf and preserving and promoting both the beauty and the virtue of the game through the development and support of programs at the local, national and international levels. The Foundation is committed to serving the game and its players, industry professionals and the next generation of golfers.
The First Tee Background
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 10.5 million young people in all 50 United States and select international locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.