Scholarships

The El and Mary Collins Golf Management Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Elhanon “El” Collins, a beloved PGA Professional, teacher and mentor whose influence on the game of golf spanned more than six decades. A U.S. Navy veteran and proud Eastern Kentucky University graduate, El dedicated his career to growing the game and serving others. As Head Golf Professional at Reid Memorial Golf Course for 35 years, President of the Southern Ohio PGA and a PGA of America National Board member, El exemplified leadership, integrity, and service.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, El’s greatest passion was helping others—especially young golfers—discover and advance in the game. He founded the Springfield News-Sun Golf Clinic, introducing thousands of children to golf and instilling in them the values of sportsmanship and perseverance.

This scholarship continues El’s lifelong commitment to mentorship and junior golf, supporting students who embody his dedication to learning, leadership, and love for the game.

Eligibility Requirements

• Academic Level: High school seniors or current college students 
• Geographic Scope: Applicants must be from Southern Ohio. Special consideration will be given to students from Clark County as well as those attending the Eastern Kentucky University PGM program. 
• Field of Study: Applicants must currently be enrolled or plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at one of the 17 accredited PGA Golf Management Universities pursuing a PGA Golf Management degree, with the intent to pursue PGA of America Membership

Academic Criteria

• Minimum GPA – 3.0+ 
• Enrollment Status: Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates or current post-secondary undergraduates.

Financial Need

• Financial need will be considered

Application Materials

• Essay: An essay focusing on how golf has made an impact on the applicants life as well as their goals for their future 
• Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation must be submitted from teachers, coaches, employers, or community leaders. 
• Transcript: Official transcripts are required. 
• Resume/Activity List: Highlighting extracurriculars, leadership, or community involvement.

Award Structure

• Value: $2,000 annually. 
• Renewability: The scholarship can be renewed annually with a maximum of $4,000 per applicant over the course of their education (with criteria like maintaining GPA, continuing enrollment, etc.) 
• Number of Recipients: One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually 

Apply Here

The Tod Hecht Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who has been impacted by the game of golf and has overcome challenges in their life to impact others. 

Named in honor of PGA of America Professional Tod Hecht, the scholarship takes into consideration an applicant’s involvement in the game through the Southern Ohio PGA, the First Tee of Central Ohio or other golf activities, as well as their academic and financial need.

Eligibility Requirements

• Academic Level: High school seniors or current college students 
• Geographic Scope: Applicants must be from the state of Ohio with special consideration given to those living within the boundaries of the Southern Ohio PGA 
• Field of Study: Open to all majors 
• Affiliation: Applicants must be:
  • Currently employed in the golf industry, or
  • Have a parent or grandparent who is employed in or retired from the golf industry (including roles such as PGA/LPGA professionals, superintendents, sales representatives, club employees, or club managers, or 
  • Have participated in a PGA REACH Southern Ohio or First Tee of Central Ohio programs

Academic Criteria

• Minimum GPA – 3.0+
  
  
• Enrollment Status: Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates or current post-secondary undergraduates.

Financial Need

• Financial need will be considered

Application Materials

• Essay: An essay focusing on how golf has made an impact on the applicants life, in particular how the applicant has overcome obstacles, of at least 500 words will be required 
• Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation must be submitted from teachers, coaches, employers, or community leaders. 
• Transcript: Official transcripts are required. 
• Resume/Activity List: Highlighting extracurriculars, leadership, or community involvement.

Selection Criteria / Weighting

Establish how the committee will score applicants, for example:

• Academic Achievement – 25% 
• Community Service / Leadership – 25% 
• Essay Quality – 25% 
• Financial Need – 25%

Award Structure

• Value: $2,000 annually. 
• Renewability: The scholarship can be renewed annually with a maximum of $4,000 per applicant over the course of their education (with criteria like maintaining GPA, continuing enrollment, etc.). 
• Number of Recipients: One $2,000 scholarship will be given annually

Apply Here

Established in 2022, the Southern Ohio PGA Junior Golf College Scholarship assists junior golfers throughout Central and Southern Ohio with their goals of pursuing higher education.

Two (2) $4,000.00 Southern Ohio PGA Junior Golf Scholarships will be awarded annually to one male and one female junior golfer who participated in SOPGA Junior Golf programs. Junior golfers, in their senior year of high school, can apply for the scholarship through the link below. Applicants will be required to submit their most recent high school transcript, financial student aid report, personal statement and two letters of recommendation. Applications will be reviewed by the PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation staff and finalists will be invited to take part in a formal interview process with the SOPGA Junior Golf Scholarship Selection Committee.

2026 SOPGA Junior Golf Scholarship Timeline:

• January 16, 2026 – Application Opens
• April 1, 2026 – Application Closes
• April 16. 2026 – SOPGA Staff to review applicants and notify finalists
• April 25-28, 2026 – Finalist interviews
• May 9, 2026 – Scholarship Recipients Notified

Click here to apply for the 2026 Southern Ohio PGA Junior Golf Scholarship.

The Southern Ohio PGA, through the PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation, is proud to grow the game of golf and give back to our junior golf community. Scholarships and grants like these are made possible by the support of the Southern Ohio golf community through events like the Play Yellow Birdie Bash and the PGA REACH Southern Ohio Pro Am and through support from our generous SOPGA partners like Saling Simms Associates and the Memorial Tournament.

Click here to email SOPGA Operations Director Ryne Kitchen, PGA with any questions about the College Scholarship, Golf Grant or PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation