GCSAA awards 2013 Garske grants

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2013 Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grants to Kristen Sauer, Catherine Felicetti, Christopher McAvoy, Samantha Bradley and Kaci Whitehead.

The Garske Grant was established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske. It is funded by Par Aide, a golf course accessory company, and administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. The program assists children and stepchildren of GCSAA members to fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants awarded to five winners without renewals. Grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay.

“We appreciate the longtime support of Par Aide and congratulate these young members of the extended GCSAA family,” said GCSAA President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS. “The Garske grants are a testament to the camaraderie within the golf course management industry.”

• Sauer, from Boylston, Mass., is a student at Providence College and earned a $2,500 scholarship. Her father, Todd A. Sauer, is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Mount Pleasant Country Club in Boylston, Mass.
• Felicetti, an Ithaca College student from Forestdale, Mass., earned a $2,000 scholarship. Her father, Joseph F. Felicetti, is the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at The Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, Mass.
• McAvoy, a Fordham University student from West Hempstead, N.Y., earned a $1,500 scholarship. His father, Thomas O. McAvoy, is the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Old Westbury Golf & Country Club in Old Westbury, N.Y.
• Bradley, a University of St. Joseph student from Plainville, Conn., earned a $1,000 scholarship. Her father, Gregory Bradley, is the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Farmington Woods Country Club in Unionville, Conn.
• Whitehead, an Indiana University/Purdue University of Fort Wayne student from Syracuse, Ind., receives a $500 scholarship. Her father, James B. Whitehead, is the GCSAA member superintendent at Maxwelton Golf Course in Syracuse, Ind.

“We believe it’s important to recognize golf course superintendents for their tireless dedication to the game of golf,” said Steve Garske, Par Aide president. “It’s great to be able to give something back to superintendents and their children.”