Indiana Golf Foundation Scholarship

The Indiana Golf Foundation Scholarship was created to encourage and promote attaining higher education for high school seniors who actively participate in the game of golf. 

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 9.0/12.0 and be nominated by their high school golf coach or PGA Golf professional to be eligible.  Awards are based on academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, an essay, and financial need.  The 2009 winners will receive $2,500 towards college education expenses.  

Russell E. Showers

Russell Showers from Kokomo is the son of Ralph and Kimberly Showers.  He graduated third in his class from Western High School and was a four-sport letter winner in golf, cross country, swimming and soccer.  He was the senior class president and a member of National Honor Society. 

Showers was most influenced in golf by his two older sisters Lauren and Lynnsey.  “They influenced me to be dedicated on and off the course and were always willing to help me practice every day.”

He will attend Butler University in the fall and major in Pharmacy. 

Kylee Kathryn Wierks

Kylee Wierks is a graduate of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne and the daughter of Kenton and Dena Wierks.   While maintaining a cumulative GPA of 4.4, Kylee participated in golf and tennis and captained both of those teams her sophomore, junior and senior years.  She was named to the Academic All State Team in golf her senior year.  In addition to athletics, she participated in Student Government, orchestra, National Honor Society, and the Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Student Advisory Board.

Wierks learned many life lessons from playing the game of golf.  “I have learned patience, courteousness, and self-control through my many experiences with golf, and I have been able to utilize these life lessons to help others.”

She will study Telecommunications at Indiana University beginning in the fall.

Danny Hyatt Fischesser

Danny Fischesser is from Connersville and is the son of Doug and Becky Fischesser.  At Connersville High School, Danny maintained a 4.5 GPA and participated in Student Council, National Honor Society, and radio and TV programs.  He lettered all four years in both golf and basketball and played on the IGF Masters Tour for three years.

One of the lessons Fischesser has learned from playing the game of golf is optimism.  “Golf can be a very frustrating game at times, but it has taught me the power of staying positive.  No matter how bad things get, if you can stay positive the situation will always eventually get better.”

He will attend IUPUI in the fall and major in Computer Information Systems.

Lynn B. Shonk Memorial Scholarship    

The Lynn B. Shonk Memorial Scholarship was established after the unfortunate passing of Lynn Shonk in 2009.  Lynn was a great champion of the Indiana Golf Foundation and its programs.  Through the generosity of her husband Bill, daughter Sally and son Scott, and the many family and friends who made gifts in Lynn’s memory, the Foundation is honored to award this annual scholarship beginning this year. 

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 9.0/12.0 and be nominated by their high school golf coach or PGA Golf professional.  The award is based on academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, essay, and financial need.  The 2009 winner will receive $2,500 towards college education expenses.  

Breanna Lynn Patz

Breanna Patz from Plainfield is the first recipient of the Lynn B. Shonk Memorial Scholarship.  She is the daughter of Dave and Kathy Patz.  While attending Avon High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society all four years.  She played both golf and basketball all four years and was Academic All State in both sports her senior year.  Patz is also the first student athlete at Avon to win the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award in golf.

The most influential person in Patz’s golf career is her father.  “Throughout my entire career he has been the best coach I have had, teaching me the actual game and the lessons and values it carries.”

She will study Business this fall at Xavier University.

David E. Simon Scholarship            

The David E. Simon Scholarship was created to encourage and promote attaining higher education for high school seniors who have previously been employed at an Indiana golf facility in any capacity.  This endowed scholarship is possible through a generous gift from David and Jacqueline Simon. 

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 9.0/12.0 and be nominated by their high school golf coach or PGA Golf professional.  Awards are based on financial need, academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and an essay.  The 2009 winners will receive $5,000 towards college education expenses.  

Erin Claire Smith

Erin Smith from Peru is the daughter of Todd and Claire Smith.  She attended Peru High School and was involved in a myriad of activities including Student Government, cheerleading, National Honor Society, Science Olympiad and Academic Super Bowl.  She worked at Rock Hollow Golf Club in the golf shop and as an intern where she conducted market research and developed marketing materials for the golf course.

Smith feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the golf business.  “Besides enjoying the work, I have learned phone etiquette, customer service, computer skills, and handling customers’ needs.  I am looking forward to using these skills in my business career after attending college.”

She will enroll at Indiana University this fall and study Business.

Thomas Joseph Harner

Tom Harner of French Lick is the son of Dave and Lisa Harner.  At Springs Valley High School he carried a 4.0 GPA while being a four-year letter winner in golf.  He also participated in cross country, National Honor Society, and served as class president both his junior and senior years.  Tom was employed at French Lick Resort as a cart attendant, golf shop clerk and caddy.

Harner has learned a great deal from working at a golf facility.  “In my job as a cart attendant and caddy, I learned how to communicate with others.  When I was younger, I was extremely shy.  Now I am very talkative and can strike up a conversation with anyone.”

He will be studying Pre-Med at Indiana University this fall.

Samuel Graham Cobb

Sam Cobb from Bedford is the son of Edward and Kelly Cobb, and stepson to JoAnna Cobb.  He graduated first in his class at Bedford North Lawrence High School and was a member of the golf team all four years, qualifying for the state high school golf tournament in 2007.  He was active in Student Government, Key Club, Beta Club, and National Honor Society.  Cobb worked on the cart staff at Otis Park Golf Course.

The life and work of Ben Hogan inspires him to become the best he can be. “His greatest influence on my life was his tireless work ethic.  He grew up in poverty in the worst times this country has ever seen, but through sheer determination he became one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Cobb will enroll at the University of Evansville this fall and study Mechanical Engineering. 

Eric David Lasik

Eric Lisak from Valparaiso is the son of David and Barbara Lisak.  He played on the golf team all four years at Valparaiso High School and was a member of National Honor Society.  Lisak served on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, participated in Indiana Math League, and played the piano for 13 years.  He worked with the outside staff at The Course at Aberdeen.

One of the skills Eric developed through playing golf is communication.  “Growing up playing golf with people who were older than me taught me how to communicate effectively with adults in a respectful manner.”

Eric will be studying Business Management and Pre-Law at Purdue University in the fall.