Passion. Dedication. Service. For those of you wondering what it takes to win the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship — a $1,000 scholarship awarded quarterly, in each issue of Cascade Golfer, to a deserving young golfer — those three concepts are a good place to start.
A passion for the game of golf, to be the best they can be, exemplified by participation on teams, in First Tee programs, and/or through work and volunteer efforts. If you’re planning to pursue a career in the golf industry, so much the better.
A dedication to both improving as a golfer, and growing as a student and citizen. You might be the best golfer in the state, but it takes more than just a long drive or a flashy short game to get our attention. The Duke’s scholarship committee is looking for the most well-rounded young players they can find — those who can take that $1,000 and turn it into something greater.
Lastly, a demonstration of service — a sign that a student recognizes their place in society as a whole, and is doing their part to improve it. Maybe you organized a fundraiser at your school or volunteered as a youth mentor with First Tee. Anything that shows you care about your — our — community, and are working to improve it, can be a big bonus.
Which is why when Makenzie Milton’s nomination appeared in the committee’s inbox, it was practically a no-brainer. A 17-year-old senior at Kennedy High School, Milton has played for the school’s golf team all four years, qualifying three times for the state championships and serving as captain in 2016-17. She also participates in the HyTee Golf Club, an organization of golf clubs under the umbrella of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA) with a charitable mission to teach life skills to youth through the game of golf. Through HyTee, Milton has traveled all over the country to compete in golf tournaments, and has taken on a mentorship role with younger HyTee players as well.
If that sounds a lot like The First Tee, well, Milton has also been active in that program for the last 10 years, both as a player and volunteer coach, as well as a First Tee ambassador at events like the Boeing Classic. She also spent three years competing in Washington Junior Golf Association events, winning one district title and qualifying for state each year.
Oh, and she also happens to maintain a 3.5 GPA, sing in the school choir, participate on the cheer squad and somehow find time to volunteer with Dignity for Divas, an organization that distributes hygiene products to homeless women throughout the Seattle area.
So, yeah — something along those lines is good.
“This has been an incredible year, and we feel so fortunate to have been able to help so many outstanding young people throughout our community,” says John Moscrip, COO of Duke’s Chowder House and the chairperson of the scholarship committee. “Makenzie is unquestionably one of the most qualified candidates to ever come across our desk, and we’re thrilled to be able to recognize her in this way.”
As you’d expect, Milton was likewise thrilled to receive the news.
“I feel very honored to receive this scholarship; it will help with my future immensely,” she says. “I can’t thank Duke’s Chowder House enough. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
Moscrip says that when he and his father, Duke’s founder and CEO Duke Moscrip, first fomented the idea of funding a scholarship through Cascade Golfer, they had no idea what it would eventually become. He’s been overwhelmed by the quality of the applications — nearly 100 of which were received in the first year — and the feedback from associates and Duke’s patrons that he hears on a near-daily basis.
“Our goal with this scholarship was to identify and honor some of the hard-working young people that we meet and hear about at Duke’s, or on the golf course, almost every day,” Moscrip says. “Looking ahead to 2017, we look forward to recognizing more amazing young golfers and hopefully expanding the program in new and exciting ways.”
If you have a young golfer you’d like to nominate — or if you or your business would like to learn more about becoming involved with the Duke’s Junior Golf Scholarship in 2017 — contact editor Brian Beaky at editor@cascadegolfer.com.
