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The Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation honored four Northern Ohio students with a combined $28,000 in scholarships Thursday during the sixth Kenny Novak Pro-3 Am Scholarship Day at Walden.
The day provided an opportunity for the Northern Ohio PGA Foundation, its supporters, and event participants to honor Serena Wu, Sydney Socha, Angela Kerwood, and Gianna Rodenhauser and celebrate their accomplishments as they begin the next chapter of their education.
Wu and Socha each received $10,000 scholarships, while Kerwood and Rodenhauser each received $4,000 scholarships. With this year’s $28,000 in awards, the Foundation has now provided more than $120,000 in scholarships since 2020 to 20 graduating high school seniors throughout Northern Ohio.
Serena Wu, a graduate of Solon High School, received a $10,000 scholarship and is attending Dartmouth College. Wu graduated with a 4.631 GPA, earned a 36 ACT and 1560 SAT, and was recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar and National Honor Society member. She also competed in high school golf, helping Solon to a Division I state runner-up finish in 2025, and held leadership roles with the American Cancer Society and Key Club.
“I am so honored to receive the NOPGA Foundation Scholarship,” Wu said. “I’ve gained so much from playing on the junior tour, developing skills that have shaped my life both on and off the golf course. I’m so grateful to the golf community for showing me that hard work and dedication pay off.”
Wu said the scholarship will help her as she begins her journey toward becoming a doctor.
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Sydney Socha, a graduate of St. Ursula Academy, also received a $10,000 scholarship and is attending the University of North Florida. Socha graduated with a 4.018 GPA and has combined her involvement in golf with a commitment to service and leadership. She founded Students 2 Seniors, served as a school ambassador, received the Toledo Junior Golf Association’s Karen Stone Sportsmanship recognition and has worked as a youth golf coach with First Tee of Lake Erie.
“Receiving the NOPGA Scholarship means more to me than I can express,” Socha said. “Golf isn’t just a sport in my life, it’s a community, a passion, and a foundation that has shaped who I am.”
Socha hopes to turn that passion for the game into a career.
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Angela Kerwood, a graduate of Lake Catholic High School, received a $4,000 scholarship and is attending Edinboro University. A Principal’s Honor Roll student, Kerwood participated in golf, lacrosse, theatre, and art club while completing more than 150 hours of community service. She began playing golf at age 15 and plans to pursue studies in biology.
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Gianna Rodenhauser, a graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School, received a $4,000 scholarship and is attending the College of the Holy Cross. Rodenhauser graduated with a 4.032 GPA, was a National Honor Society member, and played four years of varsity golf. She served two years as co-captain, qualified for the state tournament twice, and plans to pursue biology and pre-med.
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The scholarships are supported in part through the annual Kenny Novak Pro-3 Am Scholarship Day, which brings together Northern Ohio PGA Professionals and amateurs to support the Foundation’s scholarship efforts. Following the completion of Walden’s course renovations this summer, participants in Thursday’s event competed on the newly renovated golf course in a four-person scramble featuring one PGA Professional and three amateurs.
On the course, Garrett Ramos of Highland Meadows Golf Club and amateurs Ben Ellis, a 2021 scholarship recipient, Drew Grennes and Jake Gross won the sixth Kenny Novak Pro-3 Am Scholarship Day with a 16-under-par 56. The team posted matching nine-hole scores of 28 to win by two strokes.
Tom Atchison, PGA, Matt Davis, Mike Davis and Cathy Atchison finished second at 14-under 58. Two teams tied for third at 12-under 60: Mike Pickett, PGA, Mike Dennison, RP Titas and Matt Lallo, and Matthew Creech, PGA, Chip Gleine, Julie Conrad and Adam Conrad.
The Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation thanks George & Shirley Balog, AZEK Products by TimberTech Decking, Jim & Mary Jo Fisher, Carl & Annette Branscom, Ryan Marrie of Ohio Real Title, Lake Erie Golf Cars, and all of the event’s hole sponsors for their support of Scholarship Day and their continued investment in educational opportunities for students throughout Northern Ohio.
Kenny Novak Pro–3 Am Scholarship Day Results:
Fifteen teams of foursomes made up of a Northern Ohio PGA professional and three amateurs participated in the fundraiser at Walden. The results of the top three teams are below, with the ties broken by the USGA-recommended method:
RESULTS: Northern Ohio PGA
2026 NOPGA Kenny Novak Pro-3 Am Scholarship Day
Walden, Aurora
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Blue Golf Hole-by-Hole Results >
1. Garrett Ramos, Highland Meadows Golf Club, Ben Ellis, Drew Grennes, Jake Gross, $600.00, *28-28-56 -16
2. Matt Davis, Tom Atchison, PGA Of America Life Member, Mike Davis, Cathy Atchison, $400.00, *27-31-58 -14
3. Mike Pickett, Kirtland Country Club, Mike Dennison, RP Titas, Matt Lallo, $200.00, *30-30-60 -12
3. Matthew Creech, The Golf Dome, Chip Gleine, Julie Conrad, Adam Conrad, *30-30-60 -12
