Leading by example is integral to my identity. I aim to showcase leadership among my peers, teammates, and within my community daily. My most fulfilling experiences have been mentoring and volunteering with youth golfers. Growing up, I participated in junior golf and other sports, and I vividly remember how much it meant to me when a high school golf athlete took an interest in my athletic journey. Their words of encouragement fueled my motivation and inspired me to work harder. Now, I aim to pass on that same encouragement and support to the next generation of athletes. Through my involvement in youth activities such as coaching junior golf clinics, I strive to motivate and inspire young athletes to work hard, make positive choices, and show kindness to others. Volunteering my time, showing up for practices and tournaments, and supporting these young players has been incredibly fulfilling. I take pride in it as a way of giving back to the community that helped shape me. Living in a small town, I know that people who I may not know personally recognize my name and actions. I intentionally make decisions that reflect my values and be a role model others can look up to. Whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or around my community, I work to lead by example and make a positive impact wherever I can. Golf has been an important part of my life since I could walk. Through years of practice and tournaments, I haven’t just learned how to play great golf. Even more important, I’ve also learned valuable life lessons that go far beyond the golf course. Playing golf competitively has taught me the importance of honesty, integrity, patience, self-discipline, and resilience — all qualities that have shaped my character off the golf course. I've learned to stay calm under pressure, bounce back from failure, and constantly strive for improvement in the classroom or after a bogey on the course. My early success in my junior golf career paved the way for me to set big goals. My biggest goal was to earn a spot playing golf at the collegiate level. Fast forward four years, and I have committed to play Division III golf at Whitworth University. I am proud of this accomplishment and am continually motivated to set goals that I can work to achieve. Playing golf has taught me many valuable lessons about sports and competition while helping me make my goals a reality.

His name, Jim Seeley, is on the wall of honored veterans in my hometown of Bandon, Oregon. To me, he was my mom’s colleague and someone who, with his wife Rae, would invite us over for dinner and to trick or treat at their house on Halloween. I remember my mom talking about working with Jim. Although now I have come to know that she learned so much from him, how she spoke about him always stuck with me. It was clear to me that she had the utmost admiration and respect for him as a person, a colleague, and a mentor. Right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and I have learned so much about him through my mom. Jim was a man of service with a passion for education. He received an appointment at the Naval Academy and played on the golf team while attending. He served in the Vietnam War and received several awards, indicating his character and actions in combat situations. Following the Naval service, Jim dedicated his career to golf. As a player, Jim qualified for and played in the 1977 British Open - a fantastic accomplishment for a golfer! Jim continued his work in the golf industry, holding the position of Executive Vice President at KemperSports. This position would later have him work alongside Mike Keiser to create Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. To me, Jim is someone I strive to be like. He is hardworking, honest, fair, disciplined, funny, and kind. He spent his life dedicated to serving others—throughout his time in the Navy, in golf course development and management, and to the many who worked with Jim over the years, whom he mentored and helped shape their careers—including my mom. Following graduation, I will attend Whitworth University to pursue a degree in Business Management while playing Collegiate Division III golf. Golf has been an important part of my life since before I could walk, and I'm incredibly proud of achieving my goal of playing golf at the collegiate level. I’m excited to continue my academic and athletic journey at Whitworth University. My interest in business stems from personal experiences and role models like Jim. As a caddie at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, I carry bags for many guests a year, which has exposed me to professionals in their respective fields and given me insight into their careers. Additionally, watching my parents and other family members and knowing Jim succeed by combining business and sports has been a significant source of motivation. Their achievements inspire me to work hard to create my path to success. At Whitworth, I look forward to immersing myself in the Business Management program and pursuing an MBA. I will be moving to a new city and look forward to an opportunity to find ways to support and give back to my new community, especially the veterans. My ultimate goal is to utilize my degree to join a sports company, where I can explore careers like business marketing strategist and financial analysis. I’m excited about contributing to a sports business, combining my creativity and analytical skills. I’m eager to be part of a team where I can apply my passion for sports and business to make a meaningful impact on sports, as sports have had a big impact on me.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been playing the game of golf. Some of my earliest memories are of being on the course with my parents and grandparents, trying to get that little white ball in the hole. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills through hours of practice and countless competitions, and I’ve had successes both as an individual junior golfer and as part of my high school team. The life lessons I’ve learned through golf will carry me throughout the rest of my life. Traveling around the West Coast for hundreds of tournaments, I’ve developed both my abilities and my character. Strong character is an essential element of golf and one that I embody wholeheartedly. While I’ve often performed well and beaten many competitors, I’ve also learned to accept outcomes gracefully, recognizing that there can only be one winner in golf. Even though I haven’t accumulated a large collection of trophies, I’ve built something more valuable: strong friendships with competitors who share my passion for the game, as well as a reputation for playing golf with integrity, honesty, and respect. The game has taught me that character is not just about how I conduct myself in moments of success but also how I respond to adversity— an important lesson for both the course and life. In golf, one’s character shines through in sportsmanship. A person’s ability to act respectfully toward competitors, no matter what challenges arise during a round, is vital. Sportsmanship involves acknowledging and celebrating the success of others, accepting personal mistakes without complaint, and maintaining composure under pressure. Of all the practice, play, and lessons I’ve taken, I believe that golf truly embodies the principles of resilience and integrity—qualities that form the foundation of a great leader. Golf demands that I trust my abilities and make decisions under pressure, such as choosing to carry over water or take a safer route. When things don’t go as planned, resilience helps me stay focused and committed to giving my best on the next shot. These lessons extend far beyond the course, teaching me to face life’s setbacks with patience, perseverance, and positivity. My ability to lead in the face of adversity is a skill I’ve developed, allowing me to act in a way that inspires others to follow. Golf is more than a sport to me—it’s a part of who I am. It has influenced me beyond competition, providing opportunities to connect with family, friends, and even new people from all walks of life. Looking forward, I hope golf will be a tool for building business relationships and personal connections. As I pursue college golf, I know that this game will continue to shape who I am, helping me grow as a person of character, leadership, scholarship, and service who meets every challenge with integrity and respect for myself and others. A simple game like golf has pushed me to become the best athlete and person I can be, both on and off the course. It has shown me the importance of stepping up to each challenge with a positive attitude and strong character. I have been a caddy at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and just like Sam, had the opportunity to caddie for some very influential individuals. Golf has taught me to be ready for life’s unexpected turns and to know that, no matter what happens, I can always approach the next hole with confidence and optimism. With my golf experience and lessons learned, I hope to be awarded the Samuel D. Hartley Memorial Scholarship.