By Santana Shipley
Each scholarship awarded by Indiana Golf encourages and promotes the attainment of higher education goals for high school seniors, who have actively participated in the game of golf and have excelled in their academic achievements. This year, Indiana Golf received more than 60 applicants for eight available scholarships. All applicants were impressive and should be proud of their accomplishments.
Applicants must be nominated in writing by their high school golf coach, or PGA Professional and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale. Additionally, all applicants must be a member of the Indiana Junior Golf Program for the Indiana Golf Foundation Scholarship.
Indiana Golf Foundation Scholarship
Founded in 1994, the Indiana Golf Foundation was created to preserve and promote the game of golf in Indiana. The Indiana Junior Golf Program was already well-established, having been formed in 1987, and once moved under the Foundation umbrella, would continue to grow. In 1996, a scholarship program was created to provide financial assistance for students who actively participated in the Indiana Junior Golf Program.
Will Schuitema
College: Taylor University
Intended Major: Mathematics
“I am proud to have lived in Indiana for the past 18 years. I got into the game of golf at an early age and am honored to have been a participant in the Indiana Golf Foundation for the past several years. I am extremely grateful for being awarded this scholarship as an opportunity to continue both my golf game and academic career at Taylor University. I will be competing on the men’s golf team as a Trojan and plan to study mathematics to get my Actuarial Certificate.”
Esther Etherington
College: Franklin College
Intended Major: Elementary Education
“I will be attending Franklin College over the next four years to study Elementary Education and I will play golf. I enjoy playing the piano and singing in the choir. I love working out, spending time with my friends and family, being outside, and my cats.”
Payton Ault
College: Trine University
Intended Major: Elementary Education
“I am from Brownstown, Indiana and went to Brownstown Central High School. I played golf all four years of high school and will be continuing my golf career at Trine University on the women’s golf team. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.”
David E. Simon Scholarship
In 1999, an additional scholarship fund was established at the Indiana Golf Foundation. David E. Simon created a scholarship to reward students, who had worked at a golf facility, with financial assistance to pursue a college education.
Cybil Stillson
College: Butler University
Intended Major: Sports Media
“I graduated Valedictorian from NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. After shooting a 62 at Regionals this past fall, I now hold the IHSAA Girls Golf State Tournament low-score record. I am one of two golfers from the class of 2022 to be an IHSGCA All-State Team Member all four years. I am committed to Butler University to major in sports media and journalism and play Division I golf in the Big East Conference. Go Dawgs!”
Chloe Renihan
College: Anderson University
Intended Major: Nursing
“I graduate from Lapel High School this past spring. I am a two-sport four-year varsity athlete. I will be attending Anderson University in the fall for nursing while also playing golf. As part of my high school girls golf team, I was all-county all four years of high school and made school history in 2019 as a member of the state finals team.”
Corbin Renihan
College: Columbia International University
Intended Major: Sport Management
“I was a three-sport varsity athlete who played golf, basketball and tennis. After graduating from Lapel High School, I will be attending Columbia International University to play golf and study sports management. In golf, I was All-County for two years and I was the first player from Lapel to qualify for the regionals in 18 years.”
Eve Dobrzeniecki
College: Ball State University
Intended Major: German
“I will be attending Ball State University in the fall. I am studying German and would like to become a German teacher.”
Lynn Shonk Memorial Scholarship
One recipient receives the Lynn Shonk Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 2009 after the unfortunate passing of Lynn Shonk. Lynn was a great champion of the Indiana Golf Foundation and its programs. This scholarship was established through the generosity of her husband Bill, children Scott and Sally, and the many family members and friends who made gifts in Lynn’s memory.
Sophia Stutz
College: DePauw University
Intended Major: Biochemistry
“I am so excited to be attending DePauw University in the fall to play golf and study biochemistry. I am grateful for everything that the Indiana Golf Foundation has done for me the past five years. They have helped me develop into the player I am today!”
Since 1996 Indiana Golf has awarded a total of $662,000 in scholarships to college-bound golfers.
