ELMSFORD, N.Y. (January 10, 2024) – The 2023-24 MGA Caddie Scholarship Fund class pushed the Fund past 3,000 scholars who have received aid since its inception in 1956.
The class of 2023-24 featured 190 scholars who are attending 110 colleges, universities, and trade schools across the country. The Fund’s tuition commitment rose to over $1,000,000 this year for the first time since the pandemic.
“It has been so rewarding to see the impact the Fund has had on every one of the scholars in our program,” said Jackie Kielty, the manager of the Caddie Scholarship Fund. “Surpassing this milestone of 3,000 recipients is a testament to the unwavering support of our clubs, directors, donors, and friends who have believed in our mission.”
Two-thirds of the class are caddies, with the remaining one-third working in different capacities at clubs, i.e., the bag room and grounds crew.
The Fund started with six scholars in 1956 when founders Willie Turnesa and Udo Reinach reviewed applications. They initially awarded three scholarships before Sally Francis called and asked how much it would cost to grant the other three after she read about the story. Sally’s generosity inspired the Fund’s mission never to turn away a qualified candidate with financial need.
Scholarship applications are open for the 2024-25 year for those high school students who have completed at least two years in ‘service to golf’ at a participating member club. ‘Service to golf’ includes caddieing, working in the golf shop and bag room, being on the practice range, and being on the golf course superintendent’s crew.
Applications are open for the 2024-25 academic year and can be found here.