MANAKIN SABOT — Forty-five high-school seniors and four graduate students in the turfgrass research program at Virginia Tech were among 49 scholars honored as the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation announced its 2025 award recipients on VSGA Scholarship Day at Hermitage Country Club.
The Foundation provides grants and gifts for scholarships, scientific and educational research, and other charitable purposes. This year’s grants total $196,500 and since being launched, the program has distributed nearly $3.2 million to 1,252 students.
Included in the 2025 total are a pair of $10,000 awards, matching the largest gifts the Foundation has ever rewarded.
“The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation was overwhelmed this year with high quality applications,” VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation President Joan Gardner said. “We’re more than pleased to award a record number of scholarships, especially to many scholars who had a special connection with our VSGA member clubs.”
Funding for scholarships is generated primarily from the sale of the VSGA VIP Golf Card, and Virginia high school seniors with an interest in golf are eligible to apply. Students are evaluated based on academic achievement, character, community involvement and an essay on the impact of golf on the applicant’s life.
2025 grants include the 25th C. Dan Keffer Award, which goes to an individual in honor of the former VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Committee Chairman. This year’s recipient was Midlothian’s Declan Flood, who attends Midlothian High School.
Other 2025 grants include the Spencer-Wilkinson award, which draws from a fund formed by Debbie Spencer and Mary Nell Wilkinson. Since its formation more than 20 years ago, 59 young women have received Spencer-Wilkinson scholarships. This year’s award went to Crozet’s Elsie MacCleery, who attends Western Albermarle High School.
The Red Speigle Award, named in honor of the late longtime teaching professional from the Peninsula area, was given to Williamsburg’s Andrew Schell, who attends Jamestown High School. The David A. King Award, which the senior amateur golfer established in 2002, went to Noah Peng of Falls Church, who attends Meridian High School. The Richard Smith Award, given in remembrance of the VSGA’s longtime director of championships and supporter of junior golf, went to Addie Doroh of Charlottesville, who attends Albermarle High School. The Mike Wise Award, introduced in 2023 and named in honor of the late Roanoke Valley philanthropist with ties to the First Tee – Roanoke Valley, went to Hall Blackwood of Roanoke, who attends Salem High School.
The second VSGA Military Scholarship was awarded to Stafford’s Makayla Grubb, who attends Colonial Forge High School. The Military Scholarship was first presented in 2024 and is intended for students who are dependents of active-duty or retired members of the miliary.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of a seventh named award in 2026. The Benny Wang Trust Award is named after Benny Wang, who was a proud Michigan State alum who had successful career stops at Deloitte, PWC, SAP, and Manugistics. Benny’s drive extended beyond the boardrooms and onto the greens when he discovered a passion turned obsession for golf. Whether it was for work or play, Benny’s enthusiasm for doing what he loved, having a good time, making new friends and making friends feel like family are a few of the reasons he was beloved by so many. Unfortunately, he lost a battle to cancer and his life ended way too early.
The hope for the Benny Wang Trust Award is to honor a deserving junior golfer that embodies the true spirit of Benny, shares his passions, and demonstrates the desire to spread the joy of the game to others alike.
2025 VSGA-VIP SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Declan Flood (Midlothian/Midlothian HS) — $10,000 including the C. Dan Keffer Award
- GPA: 4.8
- Golf Involvement: Started attending golf clinics at Independence GC after school when he was 5; U.S. Kids Golf; PGA Junior League; Drive, Chip and Putt; Hurricane Tour; Richmond Golf Association; Robins junior camps; College Prep Tour; VSGA; Four years on varsity golf team.
- Honors/Awards: FBLA Spring Regional Leadership Conference, Intro to Business Concepts 1st Place (2022 & 2023), Business Law 1st Place (2024), Honor Roll 2021-present; Latin Honor Society; Business Honor Society; Science Honor Society; Rho Kappa History Honor Society; Academic Award 2022 and 2023.
- Extracurricular Activities: Varsity golf; Future Business Leaders of America; DECA; FCA; Latin Club, Philanthropic Chair (11th grade); Youth Group; Bon Air Basketball; National Latin Honor Society; National Honor Society; Rho Kappa National Honor Society; Class Officer (9th grade)
- Volunteer Activities: Homework helper; Camp Invention; Dominion Energy Charity Classic volunteer; Midlothian High School Beautification volunteer; State Open of Virginia volunteer; Bettie Weaver Elementary Holiday Gift Shop volunteer; Salisbury Golf Academy
- College: Wake Forest University
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit & Independence Golf Club
- Student member club employee info: Counselor at Independence Golf Club
Elsie MacCleery (Crozet/Western Albermarle HS) — $10,000, including the Spencer-Wilkinson Award
- GPA: 4.6
- Golf Involvement: Her parents sent her to a junior golf day camp when she was 5, and the rest was history; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; U.S. Kids Golf; Peggy Kirk Bell Golf Tour; Junior State Tournaments; 2022 VSGA Junior Girls’ Golfer of the Year; Three VHSL state titles with Western Albermarle varsity golf; VSGA Women’s Amateur; PGA Junior Championship; 2023 MAPGA Capital Cup Team
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society, elected Treasurer (2024-25); Class Officer (2021, 2023-25); Science Honors Society; Math Honors Society; English Honors Society; Key Club; Women in STEM; Varsity golf all four years of high school, team captain 2023 and 2024 seasons; Internship wit CafdexGo, a data analytic app that keeps golf statistics.
- Volunteer Activities: Crozet Speech and Learning Center
- Honors/Awards: National Honors Society; Science Honor Society; Math Honor Society; English Honor Society
- College: University of Virginia (golf team)
- VSGA member: Orchard Creek
- Student member club employee info: Farmington Country Club, pro shop attendant
Noah Peng (Falls Church/Meridian HS) — $7,500, including the David A. King Award
- GPA: 4.5
- Golf Involvement: Has been immersed in golf since he could walk at 12 months, and after being diagnosed with a childhood illness, golf became much more meaningful as his doctors recommended he continued to play golf as a form of cognitive behavioral therapy; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; AJGA; HJGT; MAPGA; 25+ championship wins and three champion titles; 2024 Washington Post All-Metropolitan Golf First Team; Qualified for the 2024 Virginia HS State Championship; Ranked No. 30 in Virginia (Class of 2025); +0.5 USGA Handicap
- Extracurricular Activities: Young Investors Society; Meridian HS speech and debate; Science Olympiad team; Church in Washington D.C. Service and Leadership program; Private tutor for math, science, computer science, English and study skills; Math Club; Robotics Team; Meridian Chess Club; DCYP Vocal Group; Rock Climbing Club President/Founder; Falls Church Recreational Boys Club Basketball League; National Honor Society; Babysitter; Brain Inflammation Collaborative, clinical research intern
- Volunteer Activities: Unhide Project Clinical Research Study Volunteer; Global Impact Volunteer Engagement Day; DC/NOVA Summer Camp for Children, youth leader; Mid-Atlantic Summer School Program, youth mentor.
- Honors/Awards: 2025 National Merit Semifinalist (top <1% of U.S. HS seniors; VA having second highest cutoff score); 2024 Rensselaer Medal; 2024 AP Scholar with Distinction; 2024 Honorable Mention in Grand Concours, Level 2; 2023 AP Scholar Award; 2023 Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic Language Speech and Debate District Champion; 2022 International Baccalaureate Personal Project Showcase Award; 2022 Purple Comet Math Meet, 2nd Place; 2021 Meridian High School Achievement in Mathematics Award; 2021, 2022 and 2023 Meridian High School Honor Roll
- College: University of Pennsylvania
- VSGA member: Junior Golf Circuit
Andrew Schell (Williamsburg/Jamestown HS) — $7,500, including the Red Speigle Award
- Class rank: 4 | GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: First picked up a club at 7 years old; Williamsburg Performance Golf Club travel team; Won district and regional tournaments all four years of high school; Placed in the top three in the state tournament all four years, including runner-up in 2021; College Prep Golf Tour; Jamestown varsity golf, team captain and third on the team.
- Extracurricular Activities: Junior and Senior Class Office Treasurer; Developer and manager of Neighborly Needs app; Shadowed Dr. Aaron Dutle/Dr. César Muñoz/CS team, NASA’s Langley's Safety-Critical Avionics Systems Branch; Creator and co-manager of mountainjeff.com, Schell Enterprises LLC; Interviewed/job shadowed project managers & CIO, William & Mary; Founder and active president of Jamestown High School Computer Science Club, Pickleball Club and Physics Club; Tutored by local Japanese instructor, language and culture lessons; Completed Harvard's CS50 Introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming; 9th Way Insignia Internship
- Volunteer Activities: World Food Program USA; Christian Grove Outreach Center; Key Club; Jamestown HS tutor; Spanish Honors Society; Mu Alpha Theta
- Honors/Awards: AP with WE Service; AP Scholar with Distinction; edX Harvard CS50: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Certificate; National Spanish, Math and Social Studies Honors Societies (Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa); Most School Spirited Student by Jamestown Spirit Crew
- College: University of Virginia
Addie Doroh (Charlottesville/Albermarle HS) — $7,500, including the Richard Smith Award
- GPA: 4.7
- Golf Involvement: Started First Tee at the age of 5; PGA Junior League; Four years on Albermarle’s varsity golf team, one year as team captain.
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; Math Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; Varsity golf
- Volunteer Activities: All Blessings Flow; Peer tutoring; Volunteer at junior golf clinics and Special Olympics
- Honors/Awards: National Merit Letter of Commendation; Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish; National Honor Society; Math Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; AP Scholar with Distinction
- College: University of Richmond (golf team)
- VSGA member: Junior Golf Circuit & Birdwood Golf at Boar’s Head Resort
Hall Blackwood (Roanoke/Salem HS) — $7,500, including the Mike Wise Award
- GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: Has been involved in golf for most of his life, having grown up around the sport. Mother serves as the Executive Director at First Tee – Roanoke Valley, where he spent his youth working and playing within the organization.
- Extracurricular Activities: Salem High School swim team; Speech and Debate team captain for four years; First Tee -- Roanoke Valley student for 15 years; Salem High School Theater; Boy Scouts; Spanish Honor Society; Salem High School Cyber Patriot Team; Model Student Government
- Volunteer Activities: First Tee of Roanoke Valley Volunteer since 2015.
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; Presidential Award for Educational Excellence; Virginia Governor’s School for Agriculture; National Speech and Debate Honor Society.
- College: William and Mary
- VSGA member: YOC First Tee Virginia
Makayla Grubb (Stafford/Colonial Forge HS) — $7,500, including the VSGA Military Scholarship
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf when she was 7; U.S. Kids Golf; MAPGA; 2023 VSGA Women’s Amateur Champion; Colonial Forge varsity golf.
- Extracurricular Activities: Varsity golf for four years, team captain for two; UNICEF Club; National Honors Society; Commonwealth Governor’s School
- Volunteer Activities: M.A.C Boxes; Volunteer/Role player for the Fairfax County SWAT Team; Healthy Kids Running Series; UNICEF Club
- Honors/Awards: Member of the Commonwealth’s Governor’s School; 3x Certificate of Academic Excellence Recipient (highest GPA award attainable)
- College: High Point University (golf team)
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit & Augustine Golf Club
Avery Adams (Fairfax/Fairfax High School)
- GPA: 4.4
- Golf Involvement: PGA Junior League; Fairfax varsity golf team for four years, team captain her senior year.
- Extracurricular Activities: Student Government; Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital; DECA; Rotary International; National Honor Society
- Volunteer Activities: Junior Golf Camp Instructor; PGA Junior League Instructor; Girl Scouts; Solheim Cup standard bearer, carried the scoring sign for Nelly Korda and Charley Hull
- Honors/Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction; Scholar Athlete Award four years in a row; Occoquan Region Athletic Honor Roll; FHS Science Department Academic Excellence Award; FHS Social Studies Department Academic Excellence Award; All A Honor Roll
- College: University of Virginia
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Ian Arnett (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam HS)
- GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: Kellam varsity golf for two years.
- Extracurricular Activities: Leadership Workshop; St. Baldricks Foundation Fundraiser; Surf Club; Mat Rats Wrestling Club
- Volunteer Activities: Mat Rats Wrestling Club (500+ hours over six years); Wrest Neck Educators Club; National Honor Society
- Honors/Awards: 9th Grade Student of the Class Awards (Spanish, Computer Information Systems, AP Human Geography, Geometry and English); 10th Grade Student of the Class Awards (PE, Spanish and Computer Information Systems II); 11th Grade Student of the Class Awards (Weightlifting and AP United States History)
- College: Coastal Carolina
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Heron Ridge Golf Club maintenance
Tre Booth (Callao/Northumberland HS)
- Class rank: 1 | GPA: 4.6
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf when he was 11. Northumberland golf where he was named an All-State golfer, District Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year twice.
- Extracurricular Activities: French Honors Society for three years; Chess Club; Beta Club
- Volunteer Activities: Beta Club; YMCA basketball coach.
- Honors/Awards: Directors List; Valedictorian
- College: James Madison University
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit & Hobbs Hole Golf Course
Niki Chan (Midlothian/Manchester HS)
- GPA: 4.5
- Golf Involvement: Has played golf for 10 years; Manchester golf team (2021-25); U.S. Kids Golf; PGA Junior League; 2024 PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Peach
- Extracurricular Activities: Show Choir (2022-25); NEHS; Mu Alpha Theta; SMART Mentor; SCA; First Tee Junior Advisory Board and junior coach.
- Volunteer Activities: First Tee Advisory Board; First Tee Volunteer Coach
- Honors/Awards: Junior Marshall
- College: George Mason University
- VSGA member: First Tee – Greater Richmond
Jake Chavis (Virginia Beach/First Colonial HS)
- GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: VSGA Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; College Prep Tour; First Colonial varsity golf all four years, team captain and MVP junior and senior years; Led team to win at the 5A Regionals and runner-up at the state tournament.
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; GAB Interact; Future Business Leaders of America; Chess Club.
- Volunteer Activities: Legal Studies Academy (170+ hours); Volunteers at USSSA Virginia Beach and Princess Anne Athletic Complex; National Honors Society; GAB Interact Club service hours.
- Honors/Awards: Principal’s List 9th and 10th grade; Honor Roll; Won second place in the region for the topic of Business Communication in FBLA contest; National Honor Society; Engineering internship at Hobbs & Associates for Legal Studies Academy
- College: Ferrum College (golf team)
- VSGA member: YOC Virginia
- Student member club employee info: Kempsville Greens Golf Club; Virginia Beach National Golf Club; Bayville Golf Club
Joshua Cummins (Christiansburg/Christiansburg HS)
- GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Started playing golf as a freshman in high school; Team Virginia at the Mid-Atlantic Junior Invitational; Christiansburg golf, named to both the First Team All-State and First Team All-Region lists for two years.
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; Beta Club; TSA Club
- Volunteer Activities: Helped make food for Virginia Tech students during finals week in 2023; Made Thanksgiving baskets for families with his high school.
- Honors/Awards: Beta Club; National Honors Society
- College: Longwood University (golf team)
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Laddie Decker (Mechanicsville/Atlee HS)
- GPA: 3.4
- Golf Involvement: Atlee golf team for four years, made it to the state tournament three times.
- Extracurricular Activities: Hanover Youth Basketball League
- Volunteer Activities: Hanover Youth-Basketball Assistant Coach; Field of Honor Golf Tournament at Mattaponi Springs setup crew
- Honors/Awards: Scholar’s List
- College: Gardner-Webb University (golf team)
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Lakeside Park Club
Talon Dingledine (North Chesterfield/Monacan HS)
- GPA: 4.8
- Golf Involvement: 2022 VSGA Parent-Child Champion with his father; 2023 Junior Match Play Champion; 2023 Junior Golf Circuit Champion; 14th in 2024 State Open; Monacan HS varsity golf for four years, set school record for career stroke average, team captain and three-time All-Metro Player of the Year (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Extracurricular Activities: PGA Junior League Assistant Coach
- Volunteer Activities: Keep Virginia Beautiful; Housing Families First; Helping Hands; Monacan HS Boosters
- Honors/Awards: 2022 Excellence in Geometry; 2023 Excellence in Chemistry; 2023 Excellence in Algebra II
- College: William & Mary (golf team)
- VSGA member: Stonehenge Golf & Country Club
- Student member club employee info: Stonehenge Golf & Country Club outside attendant
Emma Dixon (Richmond/St. Catherine’s School)
- GPA: 4.6
- Golf Involvement: Golfer on St. Catherine’s varsity golf team since 8th grade, team captain since 10th grade.
- Extracurricular Activities: Club Chess President (10th -12th); STEM Club founder and president (10th-12th); Peer Advisors; 7th grade Robotics Team head coach; Graphic designer for PAC Sweets; Piano player
- Volunteer Activities: Saturday Academy volunteer/mentor; Volunteer at the Autism Society of Central Virginia; Third Church
- Honors/Awards: National Merit Semifinalist Class of 2025; Cum Laude Society (2024-2025); St. Catherine's School Nominee for UVA's Jefferson Scholarship; 2023 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing VA-DC Affiliate Winner; 2024 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing Virginia Affiliate Honorable Mention; St. Catherine's School Computer Science Award 2024; AP Scholar with Distinction (2024); Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (2024); St. Catherine's Upper School Head's List (2021-2025).
- College: University of Virginia
- VSGA member: Country Club of Virginia
- Student member club employee info: Coach of Junior Golf Camp at Bogeys Sports Park
Abigail Dooley (Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy)
- Class rank: 12 | GPA: 3.9
- Golf Involvement: Learned to play golf from her father – a PGA Professional – when she was three years old; PGA Junior League
- Extracurricular Activities: Leader of Youth Praise & Worship team, lead worship on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings; SMLCA baseball; Mission Field to Guatemala with SMLCA; Plays piano, guitar and trumpet.
- Volunteer Activities: Assistant with SMLCA high school baseball; Praise and Worship teams at SMLCA & Eastlake Community Church; FFA; Junior golf camps during the summer; Helps a local dairy farmer milk 60 cows twice a day when her schedule allows.
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Graduating with honors.
- College: Virginia Western Community College
- Student member club employee info: Waterfront Country Club operations
Samuel Dowdy (Roanoke/Patrick Henry HS)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf when he was 3; Junior circuits with the Roanoke Valley; Varsity golf for four years, team captain for two seasons.
- Extracurricular Activities: Young Life; National Honor Society; Superintendent’s Student Advisory; Patrick Henry golf, football and soccer
- Volunteer Activities: Habitat for Humanity; Young Life
- Honors/Awards: Member of Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; National Honors Society; A Honor Roll; A-B Honor Roll
- College: Virginia Military Institute
- Student Member Club employee info: Caddie at Ballyhack Golf Club
Jeffery Evans (McLean/Bishop O’Connell HS)
- GPA: 3.3
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf at three; Four years of varsity golf; +0.8 handicap.
- Volunteer Activities: 60 hours of community service.
- College: Virginia Tech
- VSGA member: Army Navy Country Club
- Student Member Club employee info: Burning Tree Club, caddie and bag room; Robert Trent Jones Golf Club maintenance crew.
Elijah Felty (North Chesterfield/Veritas School)
- GPA: 4.4
- Golf Involvement: PGA Junior League; VSGA; U.S. Kids Golf; College Prep Golf Tour; Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; AJGA; Represented Team Virginia in the MAPGA Capital Cup; Veritas varsity golf and team captain.
- Extracurricular Activities: Led student cheering section at sporting events; Yearbook Sports Editor (10th and 11th); Bible study.
- Volunteer Activities: Golf instructor at Veritas School “Intro to Golf” for four years.
- Honors/Awards: Veritas Honor Roll all four years.
- College: William & Mary (golf team)
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Christina Fuentes (Alexandria/West Potomac HS)
- GPA: 4.5
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf when she was 7; Four-year varsity starter for West Potomac, named Most Valuable Athlete in 2023; Girls Regional Tournament and District Tournament three years in a row; First Tee/Girls Golf player and volunteer for 11 years; 2024 First Tee – Greater Washington D.C. Most Outstanding Participant
- Extracurricular Activities: First Tee - Greater Washington DC; Participant Advisory Council Member; Girls Golf eLeader, eLeader Board of Directors Member; National English Honor Society; West Potomac Business and Economics Club; Class of 2025 Council Grade Representative; Math Honor Society; Model United Nations Club Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
- Volunteer Activities: Founder of Letters That Love; First Tee/Girls Golf volunteer; Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association volunteer head coach.
- Honors/Awards: 2024 Most Outstanding Participant – First Tee – Greater Washington D.C.; All-A Honor Roll & Academic Letter and Bar Award; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Hispanic Recognition Award; Varsity Golf MVP/Athlete of the Month; Varsity Softball Leadership Award 2023; Scholar Athlete (3.5+ GPA) All seasons 2021-25.
- College: University of Virginia
- Student member club employee info: Golf camp counselor at Belle Haven Country Club
- VSGA member: First Tee – Greater Washington, DC
Landen Goumenis (Moseley/Cosby HS)
- GPA: 3.3
- Golf Involvement: Began his golf career when he was 5 with his father and when he was 7, he joined a youth golf group like the PGA Junior League hosted by the South Florida PGA Sectional; U.S. Kids Golf; VSGA; Hurricane Golf Tour; Cosby varsity golf.
- Extracurricular Activities: Key Club; Rho Kappa Honor Society
- Volunteer Activities: Wreaths Across America; Key Club; PGA Junior League; Operation ENGAGE – Drug Enforcement Administration; Skinquarter Baptist Church; St. Jude Boys Invitational Baseball Tournament
- Honors/Awards: Member of Rho Kappa National Honor Society
- College: Mississippi State University (PGM Program)
- VSGA member: USGA/VSGA GC
Grace Anne Haggerty (Glen Allen/St. Catherine’s School)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: PGA Junior League; Operation 36; VSGA; Peggy Kirk Bell Tournaments; St. Catherine’s varsity golf; First Tee counselor; Employee at the PGA Tour Superstore
- Extracurricular Activities: Service League Club; Student Ambassador; Senior Class President; Health and Wellness Advisory Board
- Volunteer Activities: Westmont Assisted Living Facility
- Honors/Awards: Dean’s List (9th-12th)
- College: Randolph-Macon College (golf team)
Braden Hermansky (Poquoson/Poquoson HS)
- GPA: 3.5
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf at First Tee when he was 5; VSGA; U.S. Kids Golf; Kiln Creek Golf Club; Williamsburg Performance Golf Team; College Prep; Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; MAPGA; AJGA; Harold Varner Invitational; MAPGA Capital Cup Team; Second place in the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Championship and ended the 2024 season as the No. 1 player in the VSGA Junior Boys Player rankings
- Extracurricular Activities: DECA Club; National Honor Society; Williamsburg Performance Golf Club; Varsity golf
- Volunteer Activities: U.S. Kids Golf; Salvation Army; Poquoson Little League umpire and concessions.
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Honor Roll
- College: Shenandoah University (golf team)
- Student member club employee info: James River Country Club, golf attendant
Emerson Keene (Blacksburg/Blacksburg HS)
- GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf at 12 joining the middle school golf team and playing all three years; Four years of high school varsity golf; Blue Ridge Junior Golf Tournaments; VSGA Junior Circuit
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; Varsity golf
- Volunteer Activities: Blacksburg United Methodist Church AV team.
- Honors/Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction
- College: University of Tennessee
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Blacksburg Country Club, outside staff
Mackenzie Kinnan (Charlottesville/Albermarle HS)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf with First Tee when she was 5, first picked up a club when she was 4 years old; Kandi Comer’s Junior Golf Program; PGA Junior League
- Extracurricular Activities: Morgan’s Message; National Art Honors Society; National English Honors Society; High school field hockey for four years, basketball for one
- Volunteer Activities: Brownsville Elementary School Day Camp; Murray Elementary Art Camp
- College: Sewanee University
- Student member club employee info: Farmington Country Club, poolside grill attendant and kids club counselor
Maria Kinnan (Charlottesville/Western Albermarle HS)
- GPA: 3.6
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf at 5 years old through the First Tee program in Charlottesville; PGA Junior League; VSGA; Drive, Chip and Putt
- Extracurricular Activities: Green New Deal co-founder; National English Honors Society; Earth Warriors Club; American Sign Language Club; James River Leadership Academy
- Honors/Awards: National English Honors Society
- College: Virginia Tech
- Student member club employee info: Farmington Country Club, poolside grill attendant
Daniel Kwon (The Plains/Wakefield School)
- GPA: 4.0
- Golf Involvement: Began playing at 11 years old in entry-level tournaments through U.S. Kids Golf; MAPGA; AJGA; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Four years of varsity golf and team captain.
- Extracurricular Activities: Founder of Poker Club; Model U.N.; Community Council; High school soccer, squash and golf teams; Intern at Eisman Golf Academy
- Volunteer Activities: Grace Episcopal Church; Local food pantry; Interact Club
- Honors/Awards: Wakefield School Archwood Scholar; Honor Roll
- College: Marymount University (golf team)
- VSGA member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit & The Piedmont Club
Grayden Laird (Blacksburg/Blacksburg HS)
- GPA: 3.7
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf at 11 years old with the Galax Middle School and Blue Ridge Country Club teams – where his dad was the head golf professional; Galax varsity golf where in 2022 and 2023 they were the VSHA Class 1A State Champions and Grayden was the state individual champion and player of the year in 2022; VSGA State Open and State Amateur; Played one year of varsity golf at Blacksburg HS.
- Extracurricular Activities: Galax National Honor Society; Galax FCA; Blacksburg Random Acts of Kindness Club; Blacksburg Pickleball Club; Galax varsity golf (2021-23) and Blacksburg varsity golf (2024)
- Volunteer Activities: Helped the Galax High School golf team raise $30,000 for a trip to the NHSGA National Championship through fundraising activities; Blue Ridge Country Club kids camp counselor; Blue Ridge Fellowship; Galax Honor Society White Christmas
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society
- College: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (golf team)
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit & Blacksburg Country Club
- Student member club employee info: Blacksburg Country Club, cart staff
Katie Lutz (South Riding/St. Paul VI Catholic HS)
- GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: First picked up a club at 6 years old following in her dad’s footsteps; Continued to play for fun and began working at Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club
- Extracurricular Activities: Babysitting; 3d Girls club lacrosse; Yellow Jackets Mid-Atlantic 2025 Select Girls Lacrosse; PVI TV; National Honors Society
- Volunteer Activities: Camp counselor at Camp Varsity; Dulles South food pantry; Dulles South Neighborhood Closet; Food for Others
- Honors/Awards: Honors PE Award (10th grade); Honors English Award (11th grade); Scholar Athlete Award Lacrosse (’21); Scholar Athlete Award Field Hockey (’22)
- College: University of Tennessee
- Student member club employee info: Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, golf cart attendant
Will McClintock (Glen Allen/Benedictine College Preparatory School)
- GPA: 3.7
- Golf Involvement: Began playing golf at 9 years old through Operation 36 at Independence Golf Club; PGA Junior League; Drive, Chip and Putt (placed first in the putting portion in qualifying); First Tee Indoor League; College Prep Junior Tour; Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; Notah Begay Junior Golf Qualifiers; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Four years varsity golf, team captain the last two seasons; Finished fifth at the 2024 State Tournament and received All-State Honors
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; FCA; Key Club
- Volunteer Activities: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build; Dominion Energy Charity Classic; Benedictine Open House; Wreaths Across America; Group Leader Vacation Bible School; Haiti Relief Rummage Sale Coordinator; Birdie Basics Volunteer; Operation 36
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Honor Roll; Warrior Ethos Award
- College: Shenandoah University (golf team)
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Andrew McCoy (Glasgow/Rockbridge County HS)
- GPA: 3.8
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf early and joined the Roanoke Valley Golf Association and the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Rockbridge varsity golf for four years, named MVP and All District all four seasons, All Region two seasons and advanced to the state championship twice; Medalist in five district tournaments and received District Player of the Year his senior year
- Extracurricular Activities: Four years of varsity golf
- Volunteer Activities: Junior Deacon; Local food pantry.
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society
- College: Campbell University (PGM Program)
- VSGA Member: Lexington Golf and Country Club; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Lexington Golf and Country Club, cart staff and pro-shop attendant
Lillian McDermott (Yorktown/Grafton HS)
- GPA: 4.45
- Golf Involvement: Started playing golf when she was 7, won first U.S. Kids Golf event in which she played; Invited to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship; VSGA; Peggy Kirk Bell Tour; Has been attempting to qualify for USGA events such as the Women’s Open and Women’s Amateur the last couple years
- Extracurricular Activities: Yearbook; York County School Division Honors Program; Seven AP courses
- Volunteer Activities: Local U.S. Kids Golf tournament volunteer.
- Honors/Awards: Highest Honors of all four years of high school
- College: Anderson University (golf team)
Ciara McLaughlin (Arlington/Bishop O’Connell HS)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Varsity golf for four years.
- Extracurricular Activities: Science Honor Society; English Honor Society; Keyettes Volunteer Club; Playing piano; Golf coaching.
- Volunteer Activities: Arlington Food Assistance Center
- Honors/Awards: World History Honors; European History Honors; Pre-calculus Honors; English 2, 3 and 4 Honors; Chemistry Honors; Anatomy and Physiology Honors; Spanish 3 Honors; Calculus Honors; Physics Honors
- College: St. Francis University (golf team)
- VSGA Member: Army Navy Country Club
- Student member club employee info: Army Navy Country Club, golf coach
Julia Rafter (Chesapeake/Great Bridge HS)
- GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: Started taking golf lessons at Oceana Naval Base and YMCA First Tee when she was 5; Four years of varsity golf, named the Chesapeake Sports Club Golfer of the Year (12th grade), team captain for two seasons, medalist or co-medalist 13 times; VHSL 5A All Region Team Honors (11th grade) and was the lowest scoring female in Chesapeake (9th-11th grade); USGA; VSGA; Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour; LPGA USGA; PGA Junior League; Youth on Course Member (2019-25); Drive, Chip and Putt
- Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; Key Club; VERO Nursing Home; Junior and Senior Class Offices; Wildcat Student Ambassadors; Varsity golf all four years
- Volunteer Activities: Chesapeake 4-H; Michelle Holmes School of Golf; Wildcat Student Ambassadors (24 hours); Key Club (48 hours); National Honor Society (70 hours).
- Honors/Awards: VSHA Academic Excellence Award (9th-12th grade); Superintendent and Principal’s Honor Roll (9th-12th grade)
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- College: Old Dominion University (golf team)
Bernadette Rao (Lorton/Saint John Paul the Great Catholic HS)
- GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: Varsity Co-Ed golf team (9th-12th grade), varsity letter; First in 2023 VCAC regular season; 2023 VCAC Tournament Champions
- Extracurricular Activities: Fath and Feminism Club, president the last two years; LifeSavers Club; Asian Culture Club; Ethics Bowl; Student Ambassadors; Head Sacristan & Lector; Introduction to High School Leader; St. Raymond’s Mentor for Youth Group & Bible Study; Yuma Prep Leadership Academy; Storyboard Artist; Cast for Diocesan One Act Play Festival; Director/Writer of family productions
- Volunteer Activities: St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional and Maternal Housing volunteer; St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church; West River Weeklong Camp Counselor
- Honors/Awards: Naval Horizons Essay Contest winner (out of 11,000+ entries); Dual Enrollment U.S. History Award for Excellence; Spanish III Award of Excellence; Selected for publication in Diocesan news with nationwide outreach; AP Scholar; National Honor Society; National Catholic Bioethics Honor Society
- College: William & Mary
Anusha Rathi (Glen Allen/Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Operation 36; Junior Golf League at her local club; U.S. Kids Golf; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf; College Prep; One Week Duke Golf Academy; Varsity golf all four years, team captain senior year, qualified for Girls States in 2024
- Extracurricular Activities: Chair/Vice Chair of Honor Council; Co-President of the Chinese National Honor Society; Executive Editor/Deputy Editor of Jabberwock; Committee Chair of MLWGS Model UN; UVA Sorensen Institute High School Leaders Program; Georgetown International Relations Program; Secretary of Commerce and Trade Mentorship; Department of Housing and Community Development Internship; Kashmir Today Newspaper Internship
- Volunteer Activities: Maggie Walker International League Fair; Maggie Walker Newtowne Tutoring; Club SciKidz Science and Technology Summer Camp; Doodle Dynamo Art Summer Camp
- Honors/Awards: AP Scholar of Honor; National Honor Society; National Chinese Honor Society; National Thomas Jefferson History Honor Society; National English Honor Society
- College: Northeastern University
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Dominion Golf Club, pro shop attendant
Jack Schimler (Gainesville/Gainesville HS)
- GPA: 4.4
- Golf Involvement: U.S. Kids Golf; VSGA; MAPGA; AJGA; Varsity golf for four years, No. 1 player on the team all four seasons and team captain junior and senior years.
- Extracurricular Activities: Summer Residential Governor’s School for Agriculture at Virginia Tech; AP Research Capstone; Junior Golf; FCA; FBLA
- Volunteer Activities: Climate Leaders Fellowship; First Tee; High School Booster Club
- Honors/Awards: Academic Letter and Honor Roll all four years; Summer Residential Governor’s School at Virginia Tech; National Honor Society; Science National Honor Society
- College: University of Florida
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Prince William Golf Course, camp instructor
Anna Sleeker (Richmond/St. Catherine’s School)
- GPA: 4.5
- Golf Involvement: PGA Junior League; U.S. Kids Golf; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Peggy Kirk Bell Tournaments; Joined the St. Catherine’s golf team as an 8th grader and has been a consistent starter since, even making the VISAA State Tournament as a freshman; Winner of the CCV Girls Junior Club Championship in both 2022 and 2023
- Extracurricular Activities: St. Catherine’s Joni; Senior Dance Recital; Summer swim teams; Community Service League; Girls and God Club; SpeakUp Club; Peer Advisor/Student Ambassador; St. Bridget Church bible study/youth group
- Volunteer Activities: Catholic Heart Work Camp; Dominion Energy Charity Classic; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; St. Bridget Day of Service; Highland Education Project
- Honors/Awards: Cum Laude Society; St. Catherine’s Day Honoree; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar; Le Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
- College: University of Virginia
- VSGA Member: Country Club of Virginia
- Student member club employee info: Country Club of Virginia, outdoor golf staff
Brooke Smyth (Salem/Glenvar HS)
- Class rank: 1 | GPA: 4.1
- Golf Involvement: First Tee; PGA Junior League; Roanoke Valley youth tournaments; VSGA Junior Golf Circuit; Varsity golf for two years, lettering both seasons.
- Extracurricular Activities: Senior Class Officer; Student Advisory Council; Helping Highlanders; Student Section Spirit Committee; FCA; FBLA; BETA Club; School Newspaper; Young Life; School TV Production; Varsity golf for two years; Varsity soccer for four years, team captain for two seasons.
- Volunteer Activities: Rock-N-Soccer Program; Bethel Baptist Church; Salem Sabers Soccer Association; Teacher Assistant for librarian; Teacher Assistant for gym teacher; Helping Highlanders; Relay for Life
- Honors/Awards: National Beta Club, Academic Honor Roll, FBLA 1st place in region for Agribusiness
- College: Virginia Tech
Jackson Steffen (Roanoke/Cave Spring HS)
- Class rank: 1 | GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: Family had clubs for him before he was born and began attending junior camps with his father, who is the PGA General Manager at Blue Hills Golf Club, at age 5
- Extracurricular Activities: Varsity football for four years, on the leadership council for two seasons and named captain for one; Indoor track for thee seasons, named team captain and is the school record holder for the 300m; Outdoor track for four years, team captain all four years; AP Distinguished Scholar; Mu Alpha Theta; English Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; Student Government; International Club
- Volunteer Activities: BETA Club; DECA; Key Club; Physical Therapy Internship
- Honors/Awards: AP Distinguished Scholar; Mu Alpha Theta; English Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; BETA Club
- College: Davidson College (track team)
- Student Member Club Involvement: Blue Hills Golf Club, golf shop attendant
Tobias Suarez-Vasquez (Henrico/Douglas Southall Freeman HS)
- GPA: 4.6
- Golf Involvement: Was introduced to golf by his friends two years ago; Started working at the Country Club of Virginia in November 2024; Aspires to play club golf at UVA.
- Extracurricular Activities: JV/Varsity baseball for four years, named a team captain in 2023; Co-founder of the Engineering Team; Spanish National Honor Society, president for two years; Helps manage household finances by translating during important meetings and appointments, prepares and submits financial, tax, and immigration filings; Model United Nations
- Volunteer Activities: Sports Backers and Richmond Times Dispatch ALL-Stars Program; Equality Ambassadors; Mavs United; Big Siblings member.
- Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society; National Hispanic Recognition Award; Outstanding English Student of the Year; Richmond Times Dispatch All-Stars Award; Questbridge National College Match Finalist
- College: University of Virginia
- VSGA Member: YOC Virginia
- Student member club employee info: Country Club of Virginia, cart attendant.
Nicholas Thompson (Narrows/Narrows High School)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Started playing when he was 15 and joined the Narrows High School varsity team a year later where he was a seeded player for two seasons.
- Extracurricular Activities: Cross Country for two years, team captain for one; Varsity soccer for four years, also named a team captain; Varsity tennis for two seasons; Varsity football; National Honors Society; National Society of Student Scholars; Quiz Bowl; Math Team; Technology Student Association; Model United Nation founder; Science Club; Chess Club; STEM Club; Theater
- Volunteer Activities: Football concessions for home games junior and senior years; Working a craft show sophomore, junior and senior years; Hurricane clean up team; Little League baseball coach.
- Honors/Awards: Top 10 Seniors; Senior of the Month; Student of the Month; All-A Honor Roll on every high school report card; Certificate of Excellence in every class except college composition I & II; National Honors Society; NRCC Dean’s List x2; NRCC President’s List x2
- College: Virginia Tech
John Wargo (Warrenton/Kettle Run HS, Mountain Vista Governor’s School)
- Class rank: 1 | GPA: 4.3
- Golf Involvement: Began playing when he was two, completing his first tournament at six; Varsity golf for four seasons; VSGA; MAPGA; Hurricane Junior Golf Tour; AJGA; Shot a school record 66 and shot 67 to win the Individual VHSL State Championship, named team captain his final two seasons and MVP his sophomore and senior years
- Extracurricular Activities: KRHS Wind Ensemble; All-District Band alto saxophone sophomore year, MVP his junior year; KRHS jazz band; Silver Tones guest alto saxophone; Chess Club; Mission to Mars MVGS STEAM Group; Cybersecurity MVGS STEAM Group; Irish Golf Academy/GolfSpot 29
- Volunteer Activities: AJGA Leadership Links; Science National Honor Society; National Honor Society; Acts of Kindness; Interact Club
- Honors/Awards: National Merit Scholar semifinalist; AP Scholar with Distinction; College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award; Mountain Vista Governor’s School; National Honor Society; Science National Honor Society (vice president, senior year); All-A Honor Roll, all semesters; Will graduate with Associate’s Degree (through Governor’s School/dual enrollment); MVP Wind Ensemble 2023-24; 4th chair saxophone, 2023 All-District Band; School nominee for Presidential Scholar
- College: University of Virginia
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Drew Williams (Chesapeake/Western Branch HS)
- GPA: 4.2
- Golf Involvement: Played three seasons on Western Branch’s varsity golf team.
- Extracurricular Activities: Basketball player at YMCA of South Hampton Roads; Varsity golf for three year and was one of the top four starters in each match all three seasons, represented his team in regional golf tournaments each year.
- Volunteer Activities: YMCA of South Hampton Roads basketball coach and referee.
- Honors/Awards: Superintendent’s Honor Roll 2021-24
- College: James Madison University
- VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
- Student member club employee info: Cedar Point Club, outside staff
TURFGRASS RESEARCH AWARDS
Navdeep Godara
- His dissertation research focused on developing best management practices to help mitigate the risk of pollinator exposure to harmful pesticides through weed management approaches. The work seeks to understand the response of floral physiology and pollinator foraging behavior to various turf protection products in managed turf systems and beyond. With the high use rate of insecticides in turfgrass pest management, it is essential to investigate integrated pest and pollinator management approaches that turfgrass managers can adopt to minimize the decline in pollinator abundance.
Elisabeth Kitchin
- Her research focuses on identifying the exact precision and efficacy of targeted applications of pesticides for turfgrass pests, particularly diseases and weeds commonly found on golf courses. While maintaining a pristine turfgrass stand is paramount within the realm of golf course management, the integration of precision technology holds immense potential. However, the current standards of practice often present challenges in fully realizing the benefits of targeted applications made with GPS sprayer technology. The turfgrass industry has been witnessing a shift towards integrated technology, and the focus is on addressing the specific hurdles faced by golf course managers and turfgrass professionals in implementing these precision turfgrass management strategies.
Juan Romero
- His research project focuses on the development and application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in the field of turf management, specifically for high-value turf areas like golf greens. The key innovation here is the use of robotic systems equipped with optical weed-recognition capabilities to identify and eradicate weeds through precise, organic methods. These methods include the use of cryogenic liquids and laser technology, which are targeted specifically at weeds, thereby minimizing environmental impact and avoiding damage to the turf.
Ava Veith
- Research has involved spring dead spot and winter injury, focused mainly on how these conditions affect athletic field playability and safety. Her findings show some of the measurements we take such as surface hardness (clegg hammer), ball rebound (measuring height of ball bounce), soil moisture, and shear strength (shear vane) can be used for golf course maintenance and ensuring golfers are provided with the most consistent playing surface possible.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation has a program in place to accept gifts and memorials. Anyone interested in funding a named scholarship or contributing to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation should contact the VSGA.
Chris Lang
Virginia State Golf Association
Website: vsga.org
Email: clang@vsga.org