Golfing to Support Scholarships for Coast Guard Kids
One of the most exciting months at the Coast Guard Foundation is Scholarship Month, or May, as it is otherwise known. This is the time we review applications from Coast Guard children who are applying for college and technical schools. It is inspiring to read the stories of our Foundation Scholars. They are tremendous young people with bright futures. And they have all overcome the challenges of growing up a military kid, such many moves, often starting over in a new town, and long absences of their military parents.
It is also the month we host two golf tournaments to support these scholarships. The events promise a good round, good comradery, and a good cause. Sponsored by generous sponsors in the marine, defense, and government support industries, the tournaments are attended by business executives and employees, Coast Guard members, and other government officials.
One of the most exciting months at the Coast Guard Foundation is Scholarship Month, or May, as it is otherwise known. This is the time we review applications from Coast Guard children who are applying for college and technical schools. It is inspiring to read the stories of our Foundation Scholars. They are tremendous young people with bright futures. And they have all overcome the challenges of growing up a military kid, such many moves, often starting over in a new town, and long absences of their military parents.
It is also the month we host two golf tournaments to support these scholarships. The events promise a good round, good comradery, and a good cause. Sponsored by generous sponsors in the marine, defense, and government support industries, the tournaments are attended by business executives and employees, Coast Guard members, and other government officials.
Isabel DeSanno, a Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship recipient, was the valedictorian of the Class of 2022 at Kean State University. She thanked the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Foundation in her speech.
The NY/NJ Scholarship Golf Tournament was held May 16 on Staten Island’s South Shore Golf Course. Attended by the Coast Guard Sector New York Commander and Captain of the Port, Capt. Zeita Merchant and members of her crew, it featured 74 golfers and raised more than $38,000 for Foundation scholarships. Lead sponsors for the event included McAllister Towing, Donjon Marine, Haugland Group, Statue City Cruises by Hornblower, Vane Brothers, and Charles Blaich.
The 28th Annual Washington DC Scholarship Golf Tournament took place May 23 at the Army Navy Country Club in Fairfax Virginia and included 30 foursomes. The best round was logged by John Weber, Pat Collins, Jeff Chamberlain, and Chris Austin, who took home the RADM Marshall ‘Ed’ Gilbert Championship Trophy. The tournament raised more than $136,000, and since its inception has contributed more than $2.6 million dollars for scholarships.
Lead sponsors included Lockheed Martin, Bollinger Shipyards, Verizon, Leidos, BAE Systems, HII, Airbus Helicopters, Adm. Thad Allen, Deloitte, IBM, Kenific Group, and General Dynamics Mission Systems.
The Coast Guard Foundation is grateful to all who sponsored and attended these tournaments, and contributed to their success. With their help, we have awarded more than 1,800 scholarships to Coast Guard children since our scholarship program began in 1990, helping Coast Guard children achieve their dreams of higher education while reducing student loan debt.
Cover photo: Golfers participate in the 2022 Coast Guard Foundation Washington DC Scholarship Golf Tournament, May 23, at the Army Navy Country Club in Fairfax, Virginia.