NTPGA Foundation awarded a record $417,000 in scholarships in 2020
DALLAS, Texas (July 12, 2020) – The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with PGA TOUR professional Scottie Scheffler as he supports junior golf in conjunction with the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program.
During the Ewing Charity Classic, held in December 2019, Scheffler announced that $50,000 of the $300,000 he won through the RSM Birdies Fore Love program would be donated to the NTPGA Foundation.
As a former NTPGA Junior Tour member from 2002-2010, Scheffler played 136 tournaments on the Prep, Medalist and All American Tours, before “graduating” to the Legends Junior Tour. He has a personal connection to the NTPGA’s junior golf programs.
“Playing on the NTPGA Junior Tour was a learning curve for me. It is basically where I learned how to play golf. You know, playing since I was probably six or seven years old starting in the 9-hole tournaments and eventually making it all the way to the Legends Tour, it really kind of shaped me as a golfer when I was pretty young,” said Scheffler in an interview with the Northern Texas PGA Foundation recently.
Because of his personal growth and development as a junior golfer on the NTPGA Junior Tour, Scheffler has designated this donation be directed toward the NTPGA Foundation’s junior golf and education pillars.
Introduction – Prep Tour (9-hole competitions)
To encourage the growth of the game and continued skill development, Junior Tour members who have never played in a 9-hole tournament on the NTPGA Junior Tour will be provided a free entry fee for their first Prep Tour event, compliments of Scottie Scheffler and the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program. Scottie played in 50 Prep Tour events when he was starting to compete.
Playing – Membership and Financial Assistance for Junior Golfers
Junior golfers in North Texas who have a passion for the game of golf but lack the financial means to join and compete on the Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour will have an opportunity to do so through a new grant initiative that has been created compliments of Scottie Scheffler and the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program.
This grant initiative, named the Scottie Scheffler / RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program, provides funds for junior golfers to cover the cost of Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour membership as well as entry fees for tournaments. Those who are eligible and wish to apply for this grant can do so HERE.
Education – College Scholarships
Each year, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation continues its charitable commitment to educational services by providing scholarships for very deserving students to attend college. This year, the NTPGA Foundation awarded a record $417,000 in scholarships to 44 deserving high school seniors.
This year, the Scottie Scheffler / RSM Birdies Fore Love Scholarships were awarded to Courtney Kang and Matthew Willner who will both be attending Scottie’s alma mater in the fall, the University of Texas at Austin.
“We have literally watched Scottie grow up on our Junior Tour over the years and we are so proud of him,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “It is an honor to have him support the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and our Junior Golf and Education pillars. The support that he is providing will afford amazing opportunities to junior golfers that truly could become the next Scottie Scheffler. He is providing access that will have a lasting and meaningful impact on junior golf in North Texas for years to come.”
For more information on the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and Junior Tour, please visit www.foundation.ntpga.com or contact the Northern Texas PGA office at (214) 420-7421.
