DAYTON, Ohio – The PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation is proud to announce its roster of scholarship recipients for 2026. These prestigious annual awards recognize outstanding young individuals from across Southern Ohio who demonstrate academic excellence, exceptional character, and a deep connection to the game of golf.

This year’s class features four remarkable students who have distinguished themselves in the classroom, on the golf course, and within their local communities. By investing in these future leaders, PGA REACH Southern Ohio continues its mission to positively impacting lives and communities through the

game of golf.

2026 Scholarship Highlights

The PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation utilizes its scholarship funds to preserve the legacy of impactful PGA Professionals while empowering youth.

The El and Mary Collins Golf Management Scholarship: Honors the legacy of Elhanon “El” Collins, a beloved PGA Professional and former Southern Ohio PGA President who dedicated over six decades to mentoring junior golfers. This scholarship supports students pursuing a PGA Golf Management degree with the intent of gaining PGA of America Membership.

The Tod Hecht Scholarship: Named in honor of PGA Professional Tod Hecht and is awarded in collaboration with the First Tee of Central Ohio and Orty’s Outing. The scholarship recognizes students impacted by the game of golf who have demonstrated the resilience to overcome personal challenges while continuing to make a positive impact on others.

The SOPGA Junior Tour Scholarship: Designed to support standout participants on the Southern Ohio PGA Junior Tour, celebrating their commitment to sportsmanship, leadership, and academic achievement.

Each recipient earns a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years of undergraduate education.

Also included are the 2026 National PGA Scholarship Winners from the Southern Ohio PGA Section. These seven students are children of PGA of America Golf Professionals in the Section and have demonstrated tremendous academic performance in addition to being community leaders at their universities and high schools.

Established in 1986, the PGA Financial Assistance Fund was created to provide scholarships to children and grandchildren of PGA Members based on their academics. This year, the Fund will give $500,000 in scholarships to students across the country.

Meet the 2026 Recipients

Each of this year’s recipients represents the core values of leadership, integrity and dedication that the Southern Ohio PGA strives to foster.

Abbey Kittles

  • Scholarship Awarded: El and Mary Collins Golf Management Scholarship
    • Hometown: Springfield, Ohio (Clark County)
    • Highlights: Abbey is a top-performing student in the PGA Golf Management Program at Florida Gulf Coast University, maintaining a 3.98 GPA. She currently serves as a Merchandise Coordinator at Colonial Country Club and has secured a highly competitive summer internship at the historic Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Riley Albright

  • Scholarship Awarded: Tod Hecht Scholarship
    • Hometown: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
    • Highlights: Riley is a dedicated leader who serves as the Student Representative to the Reynoldsburg City Schools Board of Education and acts as an intern coach for First Tee of Central Ohio. He has logged over 300 community service hours and organizes the annual James Albright Memorial Golf Outing, which has raised over $40,000 for pancreatic cancer research. Riley will attend Ohio State University this fall.

Hope Manning

  • Scholarship Awarded: SOPGA Junior Tour Scholarship
    • Hometown: South Charleston, Ohio
    • Highlights: Hope is an organized and resilient student-athlete playing collegiate golf at Bluffton University. Recognized for her determination and ability to overcome significant personal challenges, she actively contributes to campus life through committee leadership while maintaining a strong commitment to her academics and her sport.

Vera Cox

  • Scholarship Awarded: SOPGA Junior Tour Scholarship
    • Hometown: Greenville, Ohio
    • Highlights: Vera is recognized as a mature and driven role model who has spent three years developing her leadership skills through Ohio’s Light Foundation. Known for her exceptional work ethic, accountability and respectful character, she has successfully balanced high school, local employment and leadership programs with remarkable poise.

 

PGA National Award Scholarship Recipients

  • Madeline Cecil – Freshman – Thomas E. Cecil, PGA
  • Eliza Armour – Freshman  – Justin M. Armour, PGA
  • Aylla Powell – Freshman  – Nicholas K. Powell, PGA
  • Chase Andrews – Sophomore – Anthony L. Andrews, PGA
  • Madison Gates – Junior  – Daniel H. Gates, PGA
  • Aleigha Crispin – Junior  – Major C. Crispin, PGA
  • Isabelle Arthur – Senior  – Sean H. Arthur, PGA

About PGA REACH Southern Ohio

The PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable piece of the Southern Ohio Section of the PGA of America. The Foundation is founded on three core pillars: Youth, Military, and Diversity. By utilizing the game of golf, PGA REACH Southern Ohio aims to positively impact lives and create foundational opportunities for individuals across the region.

For more information or to inquire about future scholarships, please contact Patrick Salva at psalva@pgahq.com.