The North Florida Junior Golf Foundation (NFJGF), Northeast Florida’s premier junior golf tour, has announced the 2021 recipients of its annual college scholarship awards.
A total $24,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to five female junior golfers and foundation members who have upheld the values of the foundation and demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and a strong commitment to community involvement.
Each year, the foundation provides scholarships to deserving young men and women who display outstanding character and devotion to furthering their education. Since 2006, the foundation has presented more than $180,000 in scholarships and has raised nearly $300,000 for future foundation and junior golf scholarships.
Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria: academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal statements, applicant interview, foundation activity, community involvement and financial need.
“On behalf of the NFJG Foundation’s Board of Directors, we are honored to announce our 2021 scholarship recipients,” said Jim Houston, president of the board of directors and general manager of The Golf Club at South Hampton. “Each of the recipients not only embodies our foundation’s core values of integrity, honesty and fairness but strives for excellence in all aspects of her life, on and off the golf course. We are honored to help further their pursuit of their dreams and contributions to society through these scholarship awards.”
The 2021 scholarship recipients are as follows:
Bill Straub Sr. Scholarship — Kenzie Heba ($10,000)
Kenzie Heba of St. Augustine graduated from Bartram Trail High School with a 3.83 GPA and will attend the University of West Florida – Pensacola, where she will play on the women’s golf team and plans to study nursing. She joined the foundation in 2017 and competed in 45 events.
NFJGF Scholarship — Thanya Arasu ($8,000)
Thanya Arasu of St. Johns graduated from Nease High School with a 3.52 GPA and will attend Ohio University, where she will play on the women’s golf team and plans to study biological science with hopes of becoming a physician. She joined the foundation in 2018 and played in 52 events.
Northern Chapter PGA Scholarship — Ashley Huffman ($2,000)
Ashley Huffman of Ponte Vedra Beach graduated from St. Johns Virtual School with a 3.94 GPA and will attend Jacksonville University, where she will play on the women’s golf team and plans to study marketing. She joined the foundation in 2018 and competed in 37 events.
Henry Tuten Gator Bowl Pro-Am Scholarship — Marissa Cardenas ($2,000)
Marissa Cardenas of St. Augustine graduated from Nease High School with a 3.85 GPA and will attend Florida Southern College, where she will play on the women’s golf team and plans to study graphic design and marketing. She joined the foundation in 2015 and competed in 84 events.
Henry Tuten Gator Bowl Pro-Am Scholarship — Kylie Turner ($2,000)
Kylie Turner of Jacksonville Beach graduated from Providence High School with a 3.85 GPA and will attend Flagler College, where she will play on the women’s golf team and plans to study history and science. She joined the foundation in 2014 and competed in 58 events.
The North Florida Junior Golf Foundation provides local junior golfers, ages 7-18, an opportunity to play in competitive tournaments that are affordable, professional and consistent with the USGA Rules of Golf and the Conditions of Competition.
The tournaments and events provide an opportunity for junior golfers to build a solid foundation, gain tournament experience and compete among their peers for the love of the game while developing the values of honesty, integrity and fairness.
For more information on the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation scholarships and applicant requirements, go to https://nfjg.org/scholarships.
More information about the foundation can be found at www.nfjg.org
