Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship

Question 1 In my spare time, I am an active member of the Seton Hall Martin Luther King Leadership Program. Members of this association engage in a four-year journey in social activism, community service, and leadership evolution. Our program is dedicated to upholding the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am learning more about how he addressed systemic racism and oppression in his life. We then used his philosophy and teachings to find solutions to issues that plague our communities. The MLK leadership program has encouraged me to become a leader in my community. I am using the knowledge, gained to educate others on how we can begin to counteract systemic racism and oppression. Furthermore, members of the MLK Leadership Program complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service year. We spend Saturday mornings volunteering at the Franciscan Charities soup kitchen in Newark, New Jersey. I have met some amazing people who dedicate their lives to helping those in need, and I’ve gained a greater understanding of the living situations of those who are impoverished living in underserved communities. Lastly, with help from the MLK leadership program my friends and I, began a weekly park cleanup service. The MLK scholars clean and remove trash from Ivy Hill Park for two hours. Through our efforts residents in the community have a more enjoyable experience. Being a participant in the MLK program has motivated and given me the tools needed to help others now and in the future. Question 2 I am currently majoring in creative writing. I enjoy reading contemporary fiction novels. The fantastic work of authors such as Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, and Angie Thomas has inspired me to study creative writing. However, since attending college, my interests have slightly changed. Initially I envisioned college would inspire me to create short stories and poetry for my writing portfolio. Instead, my two core English classes required me to develop personal narratives that connect with the in-class reading material. I found this approach to English literature study unfulfilling. I began to explore other outlets for my creative side. I had an opportunity to try my hand at sports journalism, where I wrote a column on Shohei Ohtani’s offseason free agency contract negotiations for the sports section of the Stillman Exchange Seton Hall’s sports column. I enjoyed combining my sports knowledge and creative writing skills to create a sophisticated yet engaging opinion pieces. I also feel that sports journalism is a great way for me to explore alternate career paths. My dream is to become a PGA professional. If that goal is not attainable, I want to pursue a career in sports journalism. After graduating from college, I would like to further immerse myself in sports journalism while working toward my goal of becoming a PGA professional. Question 3 Currently, in my spare time I volunteer at the Franciscan Charities soup kitchen in Newark, New Jersey. The Franciscan Charities soup kitchen feeds hundreds of families in Newark every week, and they are dedicated to improving the lives of those living in poverty and underserved communities. I prepare and distribute meals to families in need. Through this experience, I will continue to expand my community service skills and opportunities to help underserved communities. Additionally, I will continue to lead the weekly park cleanup service at Ivy Hill Park. Continuing this program will promote a more welcoming and wholesome environment, making Ivy Hill Park the ideal place for Newark, Irvington, and South Orange community events. My passion for the game of golf has given me a desire to grow the game in underserved communities. I will seek opportunities to volunteer with First Tee programs and share my journey as a junior golfer to becoming a member of a Division I collegiate golf program. I want to share my love of the game of golf with children who have never had an opportunity to hit a golf club. Currently I volunteer with the PGA professionals at my home course (Heron Glen). I assist with the operation of their PGA Jr. League, Junior Summer Camps, and First Tee programs. Overall, I want to help grow the game in the BIPOC community by sharing my experience of how golf has richly impacted my life. Question 4 Being a recipient of the Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship would significantly help me continue the pursuit of my goal of having a career as a professional golfer. The scholarship will help with the cost of my tuition at Section Hall by reducing my parents’ financial obligation. In addition, the scholarship would help me afford the various expenses required of competitive amateur golfers. Travel and tournament fees are a financial barrier to participating in various non- NCAA golf tournaments. The path to becoming a PGA professional requires tournament participation. In addition, a portion of the scholarship would help pay for golf club fittings and equipment replacement when needed. Having updated equipment is important because it allows me to perform up to my full potential. Lastly, the scholarship would help me network within the golf industry while attending tournaments and community golf outings. Connecting with influential figures in the golf industry will afford me an opportunity to not only work toward my career goals but help promote diversity within the game as BIPOC representative. As a junior golfer I had opportunities to compete in numerous junior tournaments such as: the APGA, the Jim Thorpe Invitational, and the Mack Champ Invitational. I met many BIPOC junior golfers from around the United States. I would love an opportunity to contribute to the development and evolution of programs for future BIPOC golfers .

1. While my high school experience was unlike many of my peers, I shared interests in many extracurriculars and clubs supported by my high school. Throughout my time at Mercersburg, I was a member of the chess club, stock trading club, BSU, spikeball club, and ski club to name a few. While golf has been a dominant part of my life, it is not the only interest of mine and as a result I have experiences that reach beyond my athletic circles. 2. My parents tell me that I entered the world with my eyes wide open as if searching the universe for answers. It is true, I am naturally curious and there is not a science class that I have ever found uninteresting. Of all the great innovations and experiments in human history, however, there is none more fascinating to me than the inner workings of the human body. As an aspiring physician in sports medicine, I plan to not just understand the mechanics of the greatest machine ever created but also its inspiration, vulnerabilities, and its potential. Specifically, I have every intention of becoming a physician with the skills and mindset of a professional golfer who may opt to dabble in both if the opportunities intersect. I excel in the sciences and have been accepted into the PreMed program of my choice at a Division 1 school where I will also be a member of the golf team. Through my discipline, studies, mentorships and first-hand experiences learning on the sidelines alongside Rutgers University’s medical staff serving student athletes, as well as Johnson & Johnson medical research which partners with the school, I will be well positioned to achieve my goals of becoming a physician serving athletes of all shapes and sizes. 3. Balancing academics and community commitments have become a bit of a specialty for me. I was raised to know that I stand upon the shoulders of others so reaching out to encourage or even lift someone by inspiring them to believe is second nature. Specifically, when choosing a university, I selected Rutgers because it has the academic rigor I require and an excellent reputation strengthening neighboring communities through a variety of partnerships. I was immediately impressed with the community health initiatives which provide high-quality medical care in underserved communities of color. As an aspiring physician, my goal is to empower people to actualize their healthier selves and as a student I am confident that I can leverage my experience in the lab and classrooms to reach other young men of color specifically, but people in general who have felt misunderstood or overlooked. Coupling my health care goals with what I plan to contribute to the local First Tee chapter which is hosted at Rutgers University’s golf course, I aim to help coach the next generation not just in golf but in life. Truth be told, being around the little kids in First Tee reminds me to stay humble, focused and ready to lend a hand because there is always room for growth. 4. To say that the expenses of college have outpaced even my parents' aggressive savings plan to help supplement my savings from summer jobs to get me through medical school is an understatement. While my family has carefully tried to plan for the known costs, we anticipate there will be the miscellaneous expenses that come with playing Division 1 golf while maintaining a full academic load to ensure a successful transition to medical school. I am committed to studying, working hard (smart) and playing fair. My parents have romanticized their own college struggles of living on Ramen noodles and mayonnaise sandwiches and not wanting to call their own parents(my grandparents) knowing that finances were already tight at home. And I am preparing myself for similar decisions and meal plans even( if it comes to it!) because the last thing I want to do is request even more from the people who have sacrificed virtually every material comfort so I may pursue my dreams. Having access to scholarship funds which will help me to say THANK YOU TO MY PARENTS and help offset many of the unknowns. Mainly, it can also allow me to fully test prep for MCATs and other “expensive” but necessary investments to ensure my future in medicine.

My name is Kennedi Lee, originally from Mansfield, Texas, I am a rising senior at North Carolina A&T State University and a member of the women’s golf team. Outside of being a collegiate golfer, on campus I am a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). As a member of SAAC, we give back by volunteering in the Greensboro community, supporting other sports, and serving as a representative for our sport to address needs and concerns from student-athletes. I have served as the representative for the women’s golf team on my campus since my sophomore year. I believe leadership and teamwork in my team and amongst all athletic teams at my university is important which is why I value being a SAAC representative. I am a mass communications student with a concentration in mass media production. I have always had an interest in storytelling and production, especially with photography and videography. My decision to pursue my education studying mass communication at a historically black university has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made in my life. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and network with so many amazing black students and alums, it has allowed me to gain so much knowledge and insight in my collegiate career. My goal after graduation is to work in broadcasting or media production within the golf industry. African-Americans makeup only nine percent of the golf industry while women only makeup eight percent. There are very few African-Americans who makeup the workspace, let alone African-American women. Just how I have been able to be a representation of African-American women golfers on the collegiate level, I hope to do the same in the golf workspace. While in college, I have given back to my community through service, especially in golf. When I am home for the summer or winter break, I volunteer for the Mansfield Mission Center where they provide resources and necessities to those in need or underprivileged families and individuals in my community. I volunteer in the thrift store where I help organize, sort, and set clothing out in the store. I also volunteer for my junior golf coach where she teaches women of color how to play golf. I help set up and teach the sessions to extend the game to women of color as well as serving as an example as an African-American woman playing a sport dominated by white males on the collegiate level. I have also given back to the Greensboro community during my internship with The First Tee of Central Carolina, a non-profit organization devoted to growing the game to youth. We led summer golf camps and clinics teaching junior golfers of all ages and levels how to play and expanding their skills within the game. Interns were also a part of Campus Greensboro, an organization dedicated to helping college students prepare for their professional careers. Through Campus Greensboro we volunteered through different parts of Greensboro cleaning the community during the summer. Serving my community is important. I plan to continue giving back especially to the next generation of golfers of color, and be a resource for them. Being a recipient of The Hulede Collegiate Golf scholarship would help me reach my academic and athletic goals by relieving the financial barriers that exist. College expenses, including tuition, fees, gas, and other costs can add quickly and become substantial. Being awarded this scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing a higher education as an out-of-state student. This would allow me to focus on my studies and athletics with a peace of mind without worrying about any possible financial strain. I also realize that being a recipient of this scholarship is a commitment to this scholarship foundation by being a representative of The Hulede Collegiate Golf scholarship’s missions and values. In the ways that this scholarship can impact me, I hope to impact the foundation and continue to inspire future generations of golfers to promote diversity and representation in golf. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that I have been able to share a narrative of myself that shows I am a committed student-athlete on and off the course. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply to the Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship and appreciate any consideration of being a recipient.

1. My parents instilled in me the importance of committing one hundred percent of yourself in everything you do and finishing every commitment I start. This means, despite my eagerness to participate in every opportunity that is presented to me, I have to be wise and selective when it comes to choosing my priorities. When I first moved to Washington D.C. as a student athlete at Howard University, I chose to make decisions based on this moral foundation. My parents and I agreed that my top priorities were my sport, academics, and my health. As a starting golfer on the Howard University Women’s Golf Team, I’ve chosen to commit many hours a week to my team, my coaches, and the program as a whole. It is very important to me that I show up as a leader by splitting my time between workouts, practice, and being a supportive teammate. My academics is also one of my top priorities, so in order to maintain my 3.95 GPA, I prioritize attending classes, getting to know my professors, and studying often. In order to maintain my health, I also prioritize cooking, sleeping, and fueling my social life. With each year of school, I am able to balance more commitments so this year I was more involved in Howard’s Student-Athlete Ministry and programs in the School of Business. Next year, I hope to continue to make more time for student organizations. 2. From an early age, I was passionate about business. In high school, I participated in business programs, which led me to pursue an international business degree at Howard University. After my first year, I was certain that business was the right field for me. However, an internship with the USGA exposed me to various career paths within the golf industry, prompting me to switch my major to marketing with a focus on sales, corporate partnerships, and championship operations. This summer, I am interning with three golf industry companies to further refine my career interests. As the lead intern for Dunning and Greg Norman in New York, I am gaining experience in sales, championship operations, and analytics. At Somerset Hills Country Club in New Jersey, I am learning about hospitality, golf course operations, and tournament planning. Additionally, as a Team Lead for the USGA Pathways Internship Program, I will mentor new interns at the US Open Championship, enhancing my leadership skills, networking opportunities, and exposure to golf industry careers. 3.One of my early passions evolved from my experience as a young Black female golfer. Since 2018, I have served as a youth golf camp counselor at our city’s public golf course, leading teams of 15 to 30 kids aged 5 to 15 each summer. During my time as a junior golfer, I rarely saw role models who looked like me, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome. Playing for Howard University helped me realize there is a place for me in golf. Through these summer camps, I connect with the youth and serve as a representative for young girls and children of color. I also mentor and play with the kids whenever I’m in Dallas. For example, I often take a young boy named Jesse, who is autistic, to our local golf course, teaching him golf etiquette, course management, and how to enjoy the game. Our partnership has improved his quality of life, giving him motivation and excitement. This experience has fueled my passion for increasing diversity and access for youth in golf. 4.Receiving the Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship would significantly enhance my collegiate experience by aligning my academic and athletic goals while alleviating financial stress and providing invaluable mentorship. This scholarship would give my family and me peace of mind, allowing me to focus intensely on my studies and golf performance. My goal is to graduate without debt and avoid relying on my parents financially. Through my dedication to academics and athletics, I have covered most of my tuition, but the rising costs of living in Washington, D.C., and Howard University’s tuition compel me to seek additional scholarships. Living with my single mother, it's important for me to ease her financial burden. This scholarship would also enable me to pursue career-enhancing opportunities, such as internships, during the summers. The mentorship component of the Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship is especially compelling. I admire the fundraising efforts behind the scholarship and believe in giving back to supportive communities. I hope to gain valuable advice on making a similar impact. In essence, this scholarship would support my immediate goals as a student and golfer and have a lasting impact on my post-college career, enabling me to invest in my future success.

Finding a balance while playing golf is difficult at times. I’ve played golf for ten years now. Although I’ve enjoyed the countless memories I’ve made on the golf course, I’ve also missed out on a bunch of things as well. Finding a balance between the sport you love and your social life can be challenging. After completing one of my goals to play collegiate golf at James Madison University my junior year, I knew it was time to find something besides golf. I found something that would elevate my stress of playing at such a high level of golf. Learning how to surf has taught me valuable aspects that I now transfer to golf. Golf is such a strategic game that requires so much focus. On the other hand, surfing is more about seizing the moment and going with the flow of the waves, which can be pretty liberating. Lake surfing has taught me how to let go of the many emotions golf comes with. Lake surfing has also taught me that not everything is about golf. I enjoy going to the lake after a round and clearing my mind after a difficult tournament. Lake surfing is also a wonderful activity that has strengthened my friendships. Lake surfing was difficult at first but with the awesome support of my friends, they've helped me in the long run. Those same friends now do the same thing for me in golf. Lake surfing has provided me with a natural outlet for my stress. That’s something I’ll always be thankful for. As of right now, I am thinking of doing business as my major. I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something in business. My counselors have guided me in the direction of business and put me into 6 business classes since 8th grade. I have taken Accounting 1 and 2 as well as Intro to Business and Intro to Marketing. I also know that golf and business go hand and hand which can be helpful. So many connections and deals have been made on the golf course. My dad has taken me to many of his industry tournaments. I have been able to see how there are countless networking opportunities on the golf course. Not only does playing golf provide a relaxed atmosphere to close deals, but also reveals one’s true character traits such as patience, honesty, and integrity. I am currently in a social media and sports marketing class which I enjoy. I haven’t decided what specific field of business I want to pursue but I do know that I want to do something in the business side. I have been involved in helping my community since I was little. Whether it was helping people after Hurricane Harvey, volunteering through the church/school, or even helping younger teammates in golf. I have over 40+ hours of volunteering through two clubs I am a part of at school. One is called Key Club International which is an international service organization that helps build character. The other club I am a part of is the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Being in these clubs has made me want to be more involved in my community. I plan to continue to help my community when I move to Virginia for college. I know the golf team at James Madison already does a lot of volunteer work. They read to elementary kids every Friday as well as volunteer through several organizations. I will already be a part of that. To take it a step further I plan to be involved in clubs at JMU that volunteer around campus or the neighborhood. Being a part of this scholarship would help me accomplish my goal of not having my parents spend anything toward my college. All my years of hard work and dedication were so that I could go to college without having my parent's support. Most people only think of the sacrifices that a player goes through yet totally disregard families. My family has supported me since day one in my dream of playing at the next level. I owe it all to my family for their constant support and sacrifice. Golf tournaments are not cheap. So much goes into one tournament alone. Hotels, flights, food, tournament fees, and so much more must be paid for. My family has even sacrificed family vacations so that I could play in the tournaments I wanted. Because of this, I have made it my goal since freshman year to be financially independent for college and not burden my parents with the expenses. By being a part of this scholarship, I could go into college knowing my goal was accomplished and live stress-free.

My name is Kci Lindskog and I am a proud golf student-athlete at Thee Illustrious Texas Southern University. I am a rising junior majoring in sports management with a business focus. I consider myself quite avid to participate in community service hours for my classes, the African Student Association, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. These services come in the form of car washes, event organizing, community reach outs, Houston food bank services, etc. Some other things that we are big on are supporting other sports by coming out and supporting their games. I find it to be my duty when I graduate to offer mentorship to aspiring young golfers or student-athletes in my community. As an aspiring touring professional getting into the NCAA D1 spotlight was vital in this journey I am currently undergoing, and I fully understand what it is like to have nobody in my community come from this stage to show me the proper steps in achieving this milestone. I also intend to engage in community outreach programs such as the first tee, where I will be interning this summer. This involvement helps promote the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship to the next generation. I find this effective in my contribution to the community because of the effectiveness of this organization in creating opportunities for groups of people who may not have access to them. Another way I see myself contributing to my community is through Alumni engagement which will allow me to stay connected with Texas Southern University by participating in alumni events, fundraisers, and networking opportunities, supporting the university's mission, connecting with fellow alumni, and helping create opportunities for future student-athletes and those to come after them. College is a pivotal point in my life where I need to make the most of my "shelter" from the real world and maximize the opportunity to create an abundance of opportunities for myself coming out of it. I plan on using college to delve into academic subjects of interest and pursue intellectual growth which involves setting academic goals, seeking research opportunities, and aiming for academic honors. I also see that college is a time to develop myself as a golf player in achieving more athletic awards and goals to be a touring professional along with developing a wide range of skills that may involve joining organizations related to my interests, participating in extracurricular activities, honing leadership skills, and seeking out internships or part-time jobs to gain practical experience. Finally, I've realized the power and importance of creating networks and forming connections with fellow students, student-athletes, professors, alumni, and professionals in your field of interest. Building a strong network can lead to valuable opportunities and mentorship. The significance of receiving financial aid cannot be overstated, and I wanted to convey just how much it means to me. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of pursuing my education but would also open doors to endless possibilities. It would provide me with the resources and support necessary to fully immerse myself in my studies, my golf, and my overall goals. It would enable me to focus on my academic pursuits without the constant worry of financial constraints, allowing me to reach my fullest potential. Beyond the financial aspect, this scholarship holds a profound symbolic value to me. It signifies recognition and validation of my hard work, dedication, and the aspirations I hold for my future. It is a reminder that my dreams and ambitions are valued and that I have the potential to make a meaningful impact on myself and my community.

1. I am currently working in the Chen Lab at Dartmouth College. This lab focuses on methylmercury and PFAS contamination in New England estuaries and waterways. Both these contaminants are linked to adverse health effects, including thyroid diseases and multiple forms of cancers. The level of contamination led to a fish advisory in New Hampshire in 2016. Pregnant women and young children are most impacted by this contamination, but the literature and research on this issue are sorely lacking. This lab aims to better understand the ways that PFAS travels up the food chain and is biomagnified. I also volunteer with the local library and read to the children around Hanover, NH. 2. My chosen field of study is a result of my experiences since birth. Black women and children face higher rates of mortality than their white counterparts. Engineering can help improve chances for recovery and life for patients, help make doctors' jobs more efficient, and lower the catastrophic results of implicit bias. I want to study Biomedical engineering to bring technology and innovation to the health sector because when technology and medicine join together, it can improve the outcomes for patients that need care. I am strong in math and science and I want to pursue a field that pulls upon my strengths and aligns with my passion to help my community. I plan to contribute to my community through leadership and service by pursuing an engineering degree focusing on healthcare and biomedical engineering. On the CDC Website, health disparities are defined as preventable differences in the burden of disease to achieve optimal health. “Health disparities exist in all age groups, and not all older adults are benefitting equally because of factors such as economic status, race, and gender.” Social determinants of health are “the conditions in places where people are born, live, work, and play.” These differences contribute to disparities in the US and globally. If we know this is occurring, we can work to bring technology and engineering together to help healthcare providers to end this issue. Everyone deserves quality healthcare. I want to try to help by working on medical devices and automation to avoid bias, and to improve care. 3. In my view, college is the best time for many things, particularly exploring interests and networking. Already I am learning more about my passions and interests. I have added government as a major, in addition to biomedical engineering. This decision came from taking 2 government classes that I found fascinating. I plan to take an African-American studies course this fall which I am extremely excited about as my high school only had one broad course on African-American history. Furthermore, college has given me many opportunities to network. I have met executives from Morgan Stanley, biotech companies, and Real estate moguls. I plan to continue networking and forming genuine connections with people. 4. My college tuition is currently $90,000 per year. This scholarship would go towards my tuition and thus decrease my student loan balance. I was also a recipient of this scholarship last year and it granted me real connections with other black collegiate golfers. This is something I am very grateful for as I am the only Black golfer in my conference. This scholarship would enrich my collegiate experience through the opportunities it offers beyond its monetary value. This is through many ways including NIL benefits, community, and, most importantly to me, mentorship.

1. Outside of golf, I enjoy serving the DC/Maryland/Virginia community as a member of Circle K. In this community service club, we attend events to help engage the community, such as packing groceries in DC communities for those in need or volunteering with children. Additionally, I enjoy being the social media chair for a club called Morgan's Message which helps spread awareness about mental health, specifically among student-athletes. I value this role as it is an essential platform for the student-athletes at Howard University. Lastly, back home during the summer, I enjoy volunteering with children through tutoring or golf camps. 2. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I will attend law school to earn my JD. Upon graduating from law school, I plan to contribute to my community by volunteering my services in my spare time to those who may need legal guidance but cannot afford an attorney. Additionally, I hope to be able to help start a girl's summer golf camp or a girl golf program in which I will help other young African American girls learn the game of golf. While golf may be a sport, by assisting young girls in learning golf, I will inspire them to take advantage of various excellent opportunities and great networking opportunities that can serve as a foundation for their career and personal lives. 3. I plan to take advantage of the rest of my time in college by working extremely hard on and off the course. I am also taking advantage of the opportunities and people I am getting to meet by networking, asking questions, staying engaged, and being willing to put myself in uncomfortable positions. While my time in college will come to a close quickly, my goal is to continue to challenge myself to try new things and discover areas of the world that may be foreign to me. 4. Being a recipient of this scholarship would mean the world to me as it would relieve some of the financial stress my family has experienced trying to help pay the remainder of my tuition and, starting next year, my sister's tuition. Additionally, it would allow me to engage more on campus and with my peers, as I wouldn't need to spend as much time figuring out how to pay for the rest of the tuition between golf practice and school. Overall, it would be an incredible stress reliever going into my junior fall semester.

I am a Financial Economics major and a Data Science minor. My drive for success has allowed me to maintain a 4.0 GPA while also being a NCAA Student-Athlete. I play on the Women’s Golf team for Southwestern University, recently winning the 2023 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Freshman of the Year Award. I am also an officer for the Southwestern University’s Business Club, an Elected representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. I have been blessed with the opportunity to accomplish many great things that I am very proud of in my first year of college, but the thing I am most proud of is being an older sister. As the oldest child in my entire extended family, it is in my nature to help other people. My whole life I have always had younger siblings and cousins looking up to me to set a good example and pave the way for the kids in our family. In college, I have taken on a similar role for the people around me. As a first child, my instincts to help others led me to one of my good friends, A boy from Mexico, who plays on the Men’s golf team, and was the first in his family to go to University in the United States. From helping him navigate his way through taking classes in a different language to teaching him how to do his laundry, my older-sibling instincts kicked in and allowed me to think quickly on my feet, organize and deal with many aspects of college that were going on at once, and be companionate towards others. In my future career in Business Finance, I will have a positive impact on the world around me by relying on my first-child instincts to help others. Not only do I want to just help those around me, but I want to be a mentor to the Hispanic Women that enter the Business Finance field after I do. Being a male-dominated industry, very few high-level positions are filled by women, and even fewer are filled by Hispanic women. In my personal experience, I have found it discouraging that I cannot relate to any of my mentors through gender or ethnicity. I believe that if Hispanic girls grow up seeing more women that they can relate to in high-level positions, they are more likely to strive for greatness. The Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship will help me accomplish my goal of being a mentor for Hispanic Women in the field of Business Finance by relieving some of the financial burdens that come along with college. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to focus on my school, extracurriculars, and my goal of helping the future of Hispanic Businesswomen.

Set up. Breathe. Swing. Hit. This repetitive process has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Golf is inseparable from my life. What started as a way for a 2-year-old me to learn motor control evolved into something I couldn’t imagine living without. I was born 28-weeks premature and spent my first 3 months of life in the NICU at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I spent my first 2 years of life visiting my pediatrician, and practitioners at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, as I worked to improve my developmental stages and coordination. Although I learned to walk later than others, I proved there is no obstacle too big to overcome. My parents introduced me to golf with the pink plastic Playskool Golf Clubs to work on coordination-and it worked! I have been in with golf since then. Everyday after school, my dad, sister, and I would load up into the car and drive 30 minutes to Mitchell’s Golf Course in Westminster, MD. We would hit and hit and hit, relishing the good, and improving the bad. I had many amazing coaches, mentors who I could depend on, though my parents are not natural golfers. Golf is such an important part of my life that influenced where I live and go to school. Our family had a chance to work in Africa for 5 years. We immediately connected with the Golf in Nigeria and South Africa. When my mom’s job moved her back to the States, she could’ve moved us anywhere in the US. They picked the ever sunny state of Florida- the golf capital of the world and a strong state for IB curriculum so that I could continue to develop. The director of golf for US Kids in the Northeast had moved to Florida and started a golf academy. We joined the academy right away. I met some of my closest friends at this academy. Even though I no longer attend, I practice there every day. I also volunteer to support the junior tournaments run by the Academy. I believe in giving back to the community and that volunteerism can start at any age. The people I met in tournaments are a second family. Ironically, golf allowed me to build a life outside of the sport. Socially, I am an introvert, and Golf brought me out of my shell and helped me truly enjoy life, even off the course. The solitude of Golf, positively supports an introvert’s natural tendencies. I am most comfortable pulling from inner strength, using critical thinking, and relying on my decision making. These are the gifts that this sport has given me at a young age. Even with great lessons, in golf, you must think about all outcomes and make decisions one hole at a time. As co-captain of my Varsity Golf team, I’ve helped my school win three district championships, one regional championship and two top five rankings in the state championships for the very challenging Region 4-Class 1A. I also shot my personal best during the 2021 regionals at Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne- 68. Beyond scores and awards, I formed such a close bond with all of the other girls on the golf team and with my coach, Pam Elders. Even though my high school career is ending, there are valuable lessons learned of hard work, dedication, relationship- building, and the fact that STEM is in every activity of life. These are the lessons I want to take to the next level, to my collegiate career, as a Biomedical Engineering student and collegiate player at Dartmouth.

In January 2009, I began playing golf at The First Tee of Greater Houston. Although I loved the First Tee program, I did not like golf at first. At the time, I found it to be extremely slow and uninteresting, and I would have preferred to be at home watching TV. However, I kept playing after realizing that I had some skill for the sport and could hit the ball quite far. My family was even informed by one of the First Tee teachers that I could be able to play at the collegiate level. I successfully completed First Tee's Ace class, which was the highest level. I liked helping out and mentoring the younger participants on Saturday mornings as well. One of the most significant influences on my life has been golf. I've been incredibly blessed to participate and travel all around Texas and the USA. I've met some amazing people through golf, and I've had the opportunity to play some wonderful courses. The game has also taught me the importance of progress over perfection and instilled in me virtues like patience, perseverance, humility, and the ability to handle adversity. To persevere in an idea, purpose, or task despite impediments is the definition of perseverance. Understanding what perseverance means is simple, but being able to exude it on the golf course in the midst of adversity is challenging. Golf has taught me that despite difficult breaks, poor strokes, and careless mistakes, I must persevere if I want to succeed. Throughout my high school career, I was the number one golfer and the team captain on the Pearland Lady Oiler Golf Team all four years. Including success at our district and regional tournaments throughout high school, my freshman year, I became the first golfer, male or female, from Pearland High School to qualify for the Texas UIL 6A Girls Golf State Championship by shooting a 76, 77 at our regional tournament. My senior year, I shattered the school record by posting a 74, 67 at regionals, to finish 3rd of 93 girls to advance to state for the second time. I advanced to state twice out of three golf seasons. After completing my first year of Division I golf at Howard University, I won Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. As well, in the Northeast Conference I made the NEC All Conference Second Team (May 3, 2022), the All-Tournament Team at NEC Championship (April 22, 2022), and earned NEC Golfer of the Week (March 30, 2022). My aspirations include becoming an LPGA Tour Player, winning tournaments, and major championships. Less than 1% of black women work in the golf industry. More women of color playing golf is essential for the sport's development and continuation throughout the coming generations. My objective is to expand access to golf for minority youngsters after I am professional. My parents and I didn't know anything about the procedure when I started playing junior golf. To further promote diversity across gender, age, and cultural lines, I hope to share my experiences with incoming junior golfers. As a professional golfer, I will be able to serve as a global representative for people who have never considered the sport as an interest or seen themselves in golf.

My name is Rayab Lee and I am an 18-year-old rising sophomore on the Towson University Women’s Golf Team. I started playing from green to the tee when I was in sixth grade when my family and I were stationed at am Army military base on Okinawa island Japan. When we returned to the U.S. in eighth grade, my Father purchased my first set of golf clubs and I received my first lesson. After I decided to committ myself to the game of golf, I started practicing consistently and knew I could become one of the best ever to pick up a club. With that being said, I started practicing consistently and created a short term goal with aspirations of earning a collegiate golf scholarship. As you can probably guess, golf has had a huge impact on my life. Most of my goals past, present, and future are flooded with the sport. When I earn my bachelors degree in Computer Science/ Software Engineering, I hope to connect golf and computer science together and possibly work with a company that specializes in golf simulators. Another HUGE goal I am working towards everyday is earning my LPGA tour card and becoming the first African-American female to win a major. Through golf and my accomplishments, I hope to inspire thousands of adolescents, teens, young adults and everybody who knows me. I have dreamed of starting my own golf academy in the future for underprivileged children and possibly starting my own non profit organization. Since golf is a major part of my life, I don’t think I would be the same person if I was not introduced to the sport. I learned through hard work and dedication the importance of character, perseverance, and commitment to stay focused on my short and long term goals. I know that anything worth achieving takes dedication, time and planning and I believe golf teaches me how to focus and stay on task. These characteristics I’ve developed will help me throughout my future and bring the best out of me.

Michelle Obama once said, “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” This quote has resonated with me as I reflect on how golf has had a lasting impact on my life. Throughout my life, I have lived in several different countries and cities including Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and most recently in Arlington and Sterling, Virginia. The reason for our constant moving is for the fact that my mother is employed within the federal government. With each relocation I have been afforded the opportunity to experience different cultures, languages, and religions. However, one of the factors that made each move easier for me to endure was the fact that I was able to play golf every place that we lived. Being able to participate in golf has taught me how to be determined, focused, patient, and resilient. The greatest aspect of my life has been the fact that when I play golf, I am able to constantly learn something new about myself every time I play. Golf has taught me many life lessons including how to be confident in myself which is something I struggled with when I was younger. Quite often during junior golf tournaments I have been the only African American in the field. The ability to interact with other players from different backgrounds while feeling true to myself and my own abilities has not also been easy. Nevertheless, I have been able to learn how to overcome these uncomfortable situations which has ultimately made me a stronger golfer and young woman. Through my involvement with golf, I have been able to thrive in unexpected situations. For instance, in September 2021, I was selected by The First Tee organization to play in The Pure Insurance Championship held at Pebble Beach golf course in California. I personally do not believe that if I hadn’t been such a self-assured person, I wouldn’t have been able to execute and perform under the pressures of this nationally televised event. On the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, I was interviewed by a Golf Channel commentator while still playing. During the interview, I had the opportunity to speak about my personal experiences playing golf while living abroad. Despite being slightly nervous, I was able to articulate myself during the live televised broadcast. Golf has helped me develop confidence in my abilities on and off the course. Not only has golf allowed me to develop personally, but it has also opened up doors to help continue my post secondary education. As a young junior golfer, I would watch the NCAA Women’s Championships on television with the hopes of one day being able to play collegiate golf like my role model Mariah Stackhouse. This fall I will continue my golf journey by playing Division 1 golf at Towson University which is a dream come true for me. At Towson, I will major in international studies with the hopes of working as a U.S Diplomat upon graduation in 2026. There is not one aspect of my life that has not been positively affected as a result of my involvement in golf, and for that I am truly grateful.