GCSAA and Par Aide award $14K for 2023 Garske Grant

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) awarded its 2023 Par Aide Garske Grants to 11 children and stepchildren of GCSAA members.

Established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske, the Par Aide Garske Grant competition is funded by the golf course accessory company and administered by the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

For 20 years, the program has helped individuals fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants. Par Aide awarded 11 grants for a total of $14,000 based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay. See last year’s winners here.

The 11 winners include:

• Emilie Smith earned a $2,500 scholarship and plans to attend East Carolina University to major in pre-nursing studies. Her stepfather, John T. Pridgen, is the superintendent at Thistle Golf Club in Sunset Beach, N.C.
• Tyson Warne earned a $2,500 scholarship and plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University to major in communications and sports broadcasting. His father, Tyler Warner, is a company representative for Aqua-Aid Solutions in Walling, Tenn.
• Isabella Bean earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend North Carolina State University to major in mechanical engineering. Her father, Christopher Devane, is the superintendent at the Country Club of Lexington (S.C).
• Carter Brow earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Kennesaw State University to major in mechanical engineering. His father, Mike Brown, is a retired member of GCSAA in Cumming, Ga.
• Jake Disselkamp earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend the University of Louisville to major in psychology. His father, Aaron Disselkamp, is the superintendent at Standard Country Club in Louisville, Ky.
• Grady Johnson earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Harvey Mudd College to major in mathematics or economics. His father, Eric Johnson, is the director of agronomy/regional agronomist at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.
• Dillon Lewallen earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Virginia Tech to major in engineering. His father, David Lewallen, is a 26-year GCSAA member in Strasburg, Va.
• Allison Oelmann earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Auburn University to major in finance and pre-law. Her father, Jeffrey Oelmann, CGCS, is the director of golf course maintenance at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Opelika, Ala.
• Dylan Pughe earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Bucknell University to major in business. His father, David Pughe, is a sales representative for Nassau Suffolk Turf Services in Garden City, N.Y.
• Gavin Trout earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Clemson University to major in agricultural mechanization and business. His father, David Trout, is the superintendent at DiamondBack at Woodland Valley in Loris, S.C.
• Anneliese Yanez earned a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend the University of California, Davis, to major in animal science and management. Her father, David Yanez, is the director of agronomy at The Fairmont Grand Golf Club in San Diego, Calif.