The Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation is excited to announce that it will once again be awarding two local students with $10,000 college scholarships in 2026. The application period opens today, November 13th, and the deadline to apply is February 13, 2026.
Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has proudly supported outstanding Northern Ohio students who exemplify leadership, academic excellence, character, and involvement in the game of golf.
Past Scholarship Recipients
2021: Ben Ellis & Rachel DiDonato
2022: Sophia Rosa & Daniel Donegan
2023: Fletcher Clark & Halle Ellis
2024: Ryan Yoder & Molly McGreal
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Two outstanding student-athletes — Vinh Lai of Lakewood and Ava Furiga of Avon — were each awarded $10,000 college scholarships during a special ceremony in early June, held ahead of renovations at longtime host Club Walden.
Vinh Lai, a graduate of St. Edward High School, earned a 4.65 GPA while completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. A four-year varsity golfer and team captain in both golf and soccer, he was active in the NOPGA Junior Tour and First Tee, and will attend The Ohio State University to study Aerospace Engineering.
Ava Furiga, a graduate of Avon High School, finished with a 4.42 GPA and ranked in the top 5% of her class. A three-year varsity golfer and senior captain, she participated in Ohio Girls Golf Foundation events, served in several school leadership roles, and will attend The Ohio State University to pursue a degree in Biology.
Each scholarship is distributed in $2,500 increments annually over four years, with continued eligibility based on maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and submitting required documentation each year.
Scholarship Purpose & Eligibility
The NOPGA Section Foundation Scholarships encourage and promote higher education among Northern Ohio students. Eligible applicants must:
Be high school seniors residing within the geographic boundaries of the Northern Ohio PGA (a straight line between Union City, IN, and Martins Ferry, OH).
Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Be a past or current participant in the Northern Ohio PGA Junior Tour, Ohio Girls Golf Foundation, Drive Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League, First Tee, or another recognized golf organization.
Plan to graduate high school prior to July 1, 2026 and enroll full-time at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2026.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following along with their application:
Most recent academic transcript
A personal statement
Two letters of recommendation
Financial information
Finalists will be notified by April 15, 2026, and invited to participate in a formal interview with the Scholarship Committee. Additional details regarding Kenny Novak Scholarship Day will be announced in the coming months.
Application Deadline is February 13, 2026
APPLY NOW: 2026 NOPGA Scholarships >
If you have any questions about the scholarships, please reach out to Danielle Monas at dmonas@pgahq.com or the Section Office at (216)-765-1214.
