Scholarships
CSSGA FOUNDATION
In 2004, the CSSGA founded the CSSGA Foundation, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable corporation. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide scholarship support for the education of deserving young men and women who are residents of Connecticut and who are affiliated with golf activities in the state.
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided named scholarships through the Connecticut State Golf Association’s William “Widdy” Neale Scholarship Fund to high school seniors who have worked at Connecticut’s golf clubs for at least two years. The selection criteria include academic achievement, school and community activities, voluntary community service, moral character, and references from school, community, and golf club employer. The CSSGA is represented on the “Widdy” Neale Scholarship Selection Committee and plays an integral role in selecting recipients. The Foundation is supported through the voluntary contributions of CSSGA members.
The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors elected by the CSSGA membership and administered by an appointed Scholarship Chairman. Funding of the scholarship program is supported by the voluntary charitable contributions of individual members.
Scholarship recipients are invited to CSSGA functions to address the membership. This gives them the opportunity to express their appreciation to the members and to relate their experiences and accomplishments. The character qualities of the recipients and their levels of achievement are noteworthy.
In 2023, the CSSGA Foundation made an annual contribution of $20,000 to the “Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund” and since 2005 has made cumulative contributions totaling $224,500.
For application information, go to the website csgalinks.org
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Recent Recipients
2023
Grace Mikan
Cromwell High School – Wethersfield Country Club
University of Connecticut – Mathematics & Physics
Shane Luca
East Catholic High School – Wethersfield Country Club
Providence College – Finance
2022
2021
2020
Isabella Larizza
Daniel Hand HS — Lyman Orchards GC
Colgate University: Astrophysics
Christopher Cestone
Simsbury HS — Wintonbury Hills GC
Bentley University: Corporate Finance and Accounting
2019
Kathryn Zito
St. Joseph HS — Tashua Knolls GC
Quinnipiac University: Occupational Therapy
2018
Erika Lopez
Platt HS — Hunter Memorial GC
The University of Connecticut: Engineering
Bryan McLennan
Suffield Academy — Suffield Country Club
St. Lawrence University: Economics and Finance / Investments
2017
Austin Rupp
Suffield HS — Suffield CC
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Industrial Management Engineering
Five-year program leading to a degree in engineering and an MBA
2016
Matthew Stafford
Suffield HS — Suffield CC
Bryant University: Accounting and Investments
Credit Analyst on Technology Banking Team with Bridge Bank, San Francisco
Adam LaMothe
Torrington HS — Fairview Farm GC
College of Holy Cross: Chemistry
Science Teacher at Covenant Preparatory School, Hartford
Applying to Medical Schools
2015
Michael Bodie
Brookfield HS — Connecticut GC
Fairfield University: Accounting and Math / Art History
Risk Assurance Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers
2014
Nicholas LaMothe
Torrington HS — Fairview Farm GC
College of Holy Cross: Psychology
Research Scientist at Hartford Hospital Bone and Joint Institute
Temple University: Post Baccalaureate in Science
Applying to Medical Schools
2013
Maribeth Stent
Granby Memorial HS — Wampanoag CC
Endicott College: Marketing Communication
Mission Coordinator, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Manhattan
2012
Julie Orenstein
Hall HS — Wampanoag CC
Boston College: Political Science and International Relations
Analyst with US Intelligence Community regarding counterterrorism
and European political circumstances
2011
Sarah Longwell
Trumbull HS — Tashua Knolls GC
The University of Connecticut: Economics
Tech Lead for all departments at Indeed, an online website job search and placement company
2010
Sam Pieniadz
The Williams School — Norwich GC
Rollins College: Economics and International Relations
The Travelers: Business Architect for Clients in Construction,
Oil & Gas, Inland Marine, and Ocean Marine industries
Notes of Appreciation
“I truly appreciate your continued support of my education, and I look forward to updating you on the progress of my hopeful admission into medical school.”
— Stephanie Winslow, College of William and Mary, BioChemistry (University of Florida, College of Medicine)
“I would first like to again express my deepest gratitude towards the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association for your great generosity over the past several years. Receiving your scholarship has not only been a great honor but a tremendous financial help to both my family and me.”
— Matt Hanrahan, Catholic University of America, Political Science/Pre-Law
“Thank you for granting me the CSSGA scholarship. It has provided me with valuable financial assistance at Elon University. I thank you very much for this endowment. It has eased my financial strain and allowed me to experience several opportunities that I otherwise would not have experienced.”
— Daniel Ford, Elon University, Finance and Accounting
“This is my last year at The University of Connecticut! I cannot begin to express the amount of gratitude I I have for providing me with the means to pursue an education. Your support and scholarship has meant the world to me. Thank you so much for your support over these four years and thank you for backing dozens of other students in Connecticut.”
— Corrin Gosselin, The University of Connecticut, Mechanical Engineering
“I would like to express my gratitude for the generous scholarship that you have given me. I feel so fortunate to have been selected as a recipient of this honor. I am going to work hard to prove myself worthy of the opportunity you have given me. I am looking forward to the day I am able to help other students just as you have helped me.”
— Dylan Olson, Eckerd College, Marine Biology
“I truly appreciate everything you and every member of the CSSGA has done for me. Last but not least, I hope one way or another, I will be able to help others the way scholarships like yours has helped me.”
— Anton Mgushi, University of New Haven, Criminal Justice
“I thank you again for allowing me to attend college with your financial assistance. It is an honor to have the title of winning the CSSGA scholarship.”
— Madison Hanlon, Manhattan College, Journalism/Public Relations
“Thank you again for your generosity in awarding me the CSSGA scholarship. I am grateful that without your help I would not be able to attend this great college.”
— Nicholas LaMothe, College of the Holy Cross, Pre-Med and Biological Sciences
“It is my absolute pleasure to be a recipient of the CSSGA scholarship as it has been very helpful in making an expensive dream become a reality. Again, I cannot express how incredibly thankful I am for this scholarship opportunity and your continued help.”
— Eliza Lynch, University of South Carolina, Public Relations/Psychology
“I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me to help me reach my goal of graduating from college. Your scholarship has made such a difference and all future students who receive your scholarship will be very fortunate.”
— Victoria Fagan, Long Island University, Architecture
“I would like to thank the CSSGA for their generous scholarship to help assist me in paying for my education. It means a lot to me to have the support of the CSSGA scholarship to help me learn in so many ways.”
— Thomas Antoniak, Penn State University, Mechanical Engineering