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Powell is first female golfer to be honored at St. Andrews

PGA Professional Renee Powell, the 2003 PGA First Lady of Golf, will become the first female golfer and ninth overall golf professional in history to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Powell will be conferred with the degree on June 25, in a ceremony at St. Andrews' Younger Hall. She joins a roster of acclaimed figures from science, economics, journalism and medicine who also will receive degrees during the series of ceremonies at the university. Powell, a pioneering player, coach, educator and goodwill ambassador, is one of only three African-American women to have competed on the LPGA Tour.

Other professional golfers to be honored at St. Andrews include Charlie Sifford, Peter Alliss, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros.

"The PGA of America is extremely proud that Renee Powell, a wonderful ambassador of the game, will be receiving this honor from the University of St. Andrews," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb, who will represent the Association at the ceremony.

Powell began playing golf at the age of three with her father, William, and began playing competitive golf at age 12. After becoming a champion at the national junior level, she turned professional in 1967. During her 13-year professional career, she competed in more than 250 tournaments worldwide.

Since her playing days on the LPGA Tour, Powell has been a teaching professional and has extended her role as golf's unofficial international ambassador for more than 40 years. Powell returned home to Clearview Golf Club in 1988, and has since guided the course her father, a U.S. Army veteran, built in 1946. Renee's youngest brother, Larry, is course superintendent and a long-time GCSAA member.

"To receive an Honorary Doctorate is in itself such an honor. This is my first honorary degree and to receive it from the University of St. Andrews, I am truly humbled," said Powell. "I am very honored to be one of just a handful of golfers to receive an honorary doctorate from the university, all who I have the utmost respect for - and to be the first female golfer is incredible."

Agrium Advanced Technologies selects Mezenberg

Agrium Advanced Technologies has named Adrian Mezenberg as manager of customer service at its Brantford, Ontario, Canada, office. Mezenberg will lead and manage customer service, logistics and transportation to move products to customers.

Previously Mezenberg worked for Axela Inc., a biotech startup, and with Bayer Healthcare Diagnostics in various customer service and support roles.

Long Island GCSA awards scholarships

Three SUNY-Delhi students have been awarded scholarships from an endowment established at the college by the Long Island GCSA.

Ryan Abbate, a golf course superintendent major from Sayville, and Kevin Anderson, a golf course operations major from Oyster Bay, each received $1,000, and Eric Newell, a golf course superintendent major from Melville, received $750.

The scholarships are the result of an endowment that was established under the leadership of Bob Kamp, then president of Long Island GCSA, to recognize exceptional students from the Long Island area enrolled in turf management, golf course operations, or golf course management-superintendent.

To date, the Long Island GCSA endowment has produced 12 scholarships for SUNY-Delhi students.