Tom LoCasale Developing Character Through Golf Scholarship

Funded by
$2,000
2 winners, $1,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
May 14, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 14, 2024
Education Level
High School
1
Contribution
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Athletics:
Plays golf
Education Level:
Athletics:
High school senior
Plays golf

Tom LoCasale represented the good in the world and improved the lives of those around him.

Tom believed that a happy, healthy, and productive life came from a set of skills and was always working on bettering himself. Tom was able to develop patience, perseverance, and character through his practice of golf. He spent many years volunteering with First Tee, introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to youth.

This scholarship seeks to honor Tom LoCasale’s life by supporting students who have learned valuable life skills through the sport of golf.

Any high school senior who plays golf may apply for this scholarship. Candidates who will be a first-generation college student or identify as part of an underrepresented group are highly encouraged to apply.

To apply, tell us about the biggest lesson you’ve learned from golf and how you’ll use those lessons in the future.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published January 6, 2024
$2,000
2 winners, $1,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
May 14, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 14, 2024
Education Level
High School
1
Contribution
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

Please tell us the biggest life lesson you have learned through golf and how you plan on utilizing the lessons learned throughout your future. 

400–600 words

Winning Application

Aliyah Asadi
University of California-Los AngelesSan Diego, CA
Jason Carroll
Louisburg CollegeCreedmoor, NC
There are several lessons that I have learned through golf that are useful in everyday life and in my future. Golf teaches patience, and balance with your mind and your body. Golf has also taught me that overthinking only leads to more problems. Self control over your mind and mood is definitely important. It has also taught me that just because you might make a mistake doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing well. Others make mistakes, too. You can’t tell someone’s skill set by looking at them, either. The old adage of not judging a book by its cover is very true in the game of golf. It is best just to be patient and do your personal best. You will have good games and bad games. The game of golf is very much like life itself. I have also learned a lot about life while golfing. This may not have anything to do with the act of golfing itself. It may be due to whom I practice with. I practice with 2 senior citizens who have grandkids older than me, and with two adults with kids my age. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I win often because I have age on my side. These men have experience and course knowledge on their side. On the course, there is plenty of time for talking between shots. I have gotten to hear so many of these gentleman’s stories. I would say wisdom, but some of it is just hilarious banter. Still, there is something to be said for learning from those who have blazed the trail of life before you. I don’t get any time with my own grandfather these days and it is nice having these goofy golfers in my life. My own grandfather is busy taking care of my grandmother with severe Alzheimer’s, but he had gone with me to a charity golf tournament for father’s day once. The biggest lesson that I have learned through golf is how important preparedness is. Alexander Graham Bell said, “before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” When I went to regionals with my school, I realized how important being prepared truly was. If I had not gotten there a day earlier to play the course like the others had, I would have felt more nervous and would have definitely let that get in the way of my mental game. I also had a good breakfast and went to bed at a good time. Each of these things are important in feeling prepared. Feeling prepared makes you more confident and professional, even though I had never done anything like this before. I didn’t win regionals that year, but I did feel happy with how far I had come in my first season golfing for high school. This year my school doesn’t have a team, and that does make me sad. I still golf with my buddies, and I will take the lessons learned from this experience with me my whole life.
Nora Getchell
Ringling College of Art and DesignSARASOTA, FL
There have been two constants throughout my life, golf and the perseverance to succeed. I was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease called Very Severe Idiopathic Aplastic Anemia when I was six years old. Because of the disease, I underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatments, blood transfusions, two bone marrow transplants, and a stem cell boost. Because of my illness and treatments, I matured quickly for my age to adapt to what was happening to me. This growth caused me to look for a deeper understanding of the circumstances around me, such as questioning, “Why is this happening?” and “How am I going to persevere through this?” That thought process of searching beyond the face value has stuck and helped develop my character. The lesson from golf that I use in my life is determination. Since I was ten years old, I have dedicated myself to improving my golf talents and the life skills that come with it. Like my sickness, golf is a mental game requiring determination and concentration. No matter how talented I am, I will always have other obstacles to overcome, but with my perseverance, I can clear it. Whether sand traps or a blood disorder, golf has taught me that I must persevere through any challenge. My dedication to golf and determination to never give up have had the most significant impact on developing my character. Using the perseverance I learned from golf, I will apply it to the aspects of my life in the future. Determined to succeed in my academic career, I will work tirelessly to achieve my goals, no matter how challenging. I will graduate from Ringling College of Art with a distinguished portfolio and the knowledge to create an impact on my community. In the future, I plan to develop inspiring masterpieces by becoming a creative director for a leading entertainment studio. I will face any challenges I meet along the way with determination and find new innovative ways to inspire change in others. Golf has taught me a valuable lesson in perseverance that I plan on utilizing throughout my future by applying it to all aspects of my life, especially in my academic career. Golf has taught me that no matter how challenging the obstacle is, I will overcome it with perseverance. Looking back, I realize that my illness was an impactful point in my life that taught me the value of perseverance and determination and remained a guiding point in my advancements toward golf and academics. With my determination and perseverance, I can achieve success.
Robert Portillo III
University of MississippiClarksdale, MS

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 14, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jun 14, 2024.