Par Aide sponsors scholarship program for children of superintendents

Lawrence, Kan. (Aug. 8, 2023) – The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded its 2023 Par Aide Garske Grants to Emilie Smith, Tyson Warner, Isabella Beane, Carter Brown, Jake Disselkamp, Grady Johnson, Dillon Lewallen, Allison Oelmann, Dylan Pughe, Gavin Trout and Anneliese Yanez.

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 children and stepchildren of GCSAA members fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants. There are eleven grants awarded for a total of $14,000. Grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance and a written essay.

“Thanks to Par Aide’s generous support through the Garske Grants, GCSAA is able to provide financial aid and help children of association members achieve their academic pursuits,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “We are grateful for this ongoing partnership and sincerely hope these grants will ensure these students have a strong start to their higher education experience.”

• Smith has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning 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.
• Warner has earned a $2,500 scholarship and is planning 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.
• Beane has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend North Carolina State University to major in mechanical engineering. Her father, Christopher Devane, is the superintendent at Country Club of Lexington, in Lexington, S.C.
• Brown has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Kennesaw State University to major in mechanical engineering. His father, Mike Brown, is a retired member of GCSAA in Cumming, Ga.
• Disselkamp has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend the University of Louisville to major in psychology. His father, Aaron Disselkamp, is the superintendent at Standard Country Club in Louisville, Ky.
• Johnson has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Harvey Mudd College to major in mathematics or economics. His father, Eric Johnson, is the director of agronomy/regional agronomist at West, Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.
• Lewallen has 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.
• Oelmann has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning 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. 
• Pughe has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning to attend Bucknell University to major in business. His father, David Pughe, is a sales representative for Nassau Suffolk Turf Services, Inc. in Garden City, N.Y. 
• Trout has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning 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. 
• Yanez has earned a $1,000 scholarship and is planning 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. 

About Par Aide

Since 1955, Par Aide has been providing superior golf course accessories “Wherever Golf is Played.” The family-owned company offers a full line of premium golf course accessories, including tee, green and practice area products, tools and signage. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Par Aide distributes products to golf courses through a worldwide network of dealers. Par Aide is a member of the Presidential Club of the GCSAA Foundation’s cumulative giving program. Presidential Club level donors have contributed $100,000 - $249,999 to the Foundation since 1987. Par Aide is also a silver PRP partner of GCSAA. For more information, visit www.paraide.com.