DALLAS, Texas (December 13, 2013) – Michigan State University student Thomas Jacobs has been selected as the 2013 Vickers Scholarship winner among 14 students earning 2013-14 scholarships from the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association. Jacobs will receive a $7,500 scholarship as he completes his golf turf grass education in December 2014. He also receives a bronze sculpture of Old Tom Morris and other gifts from the TMGA.
“It’s such an honor to win an award from an organization that has been doing this as long as they have and helped so many people.” Jacobs has a 3.75 GPA in Michigan State’s highly regarded turf program.
He has worked on the maintenance staffs at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island where the long work weeks assisted him in learning the value of structured program and at Bel Air CC in Los Angeles where he has been offered a full time position. Thomas will complete his undergraduate work this upcoming summer after already completing a Turf Management Certificate from Michigan State.
Jacobs is an avid player and passionate about the game which lead him to his pursuit of a career in turf management. “Golf is truly the greatest game,” according to Jacobs, who has played since he was four.
“The golf course maintenance industry is always evolving and always changing,” Jacobs said. “I feel that if you’re going to evolve and change with the industry education is crucial. You have to stay up on the new technologies, the new studies and the new research because if you don’t, you’re going to be a step behind. Without my education I wouldn’t be able to advance my career.”
Five students were selected for $4,500 Trans scholarships, including Colin Harley, Penn State University; Francis Tropfenbaum, Rutgers University; Fernando Exposito Munoz, Michigan State University; Colton Jones, University of Tennessee, Martin; and Keith Brandtjen, Oregon State University.
Harley of Gilbertsville, PA., receives the W.D. McBee, Jr. Scholarship. He carries a 3.89 GPA in Turf grass Management at Penn St, and has done internships at Aronimink Golf Club and Cherry Hills in Denver.
Tropfenbaum of Kissimmee, FL, receives the Francis Whittaker Scholarship. He has a 3.89 GPA in Professional Turf Management at Rutgers University. Frank has done internships at variety of clubs with different grasses which will assist him in his future career.
Munoz from Jaen Spain receives the Ron Moore Scholarship. He has a 4.0 GPA in in Turf grass Management for Golf at Michigan State. Munoz educational pursuits were also supported by the Royal Golf Federation of Spain, where he hopes to return.
Jones of Savannah, Tenn., receives the Jackie Lee Scholarship. He has a 3.88 GPA in Agriculture with a concentration in Plant and Soil Science, following the golf course and landscape management option. He likened his desire to be like a Swiss Army knife with knowledge and varied experience.
Brandtjen of Salem, OR receives the Tom Crow Scholarship. He has a 3.69 GPA in Golf Course Turf Management at Oregon St. Keith did an internship at Chambers Bay under a previous Trans Miss Scholar, Josh Lewis.
Eight students were selected for $3,000 Trans scholarships including Dustin Huber from Kansas State University (Hale Irwin Scholarship); Andrew Northeim, The Ohio State University (Jack Nicklaus Scholarship); Morgan Daniel Robbins, Penn State (Curtis Ford Scholarship), Jordan Carbone, Penn State; Shawn Haverdink, Michigan State, Cory Yurisic, University of Tennessee; Dalton Wayman, University of Tennessee and Zachary Strader from Texas A&M.
The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf organizations in the United States. Established in 1901, the Trans-Miss is composed of more than 140 member clubs located throughout the country. The Association is governed by a board of independent directors. Since the Trans-Miss Scholarship Fund granted a $600 scholarship in 1953 to Colorado State University (then Colorado A&M), the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association has become a national leader in assisting young men and women pursuing careers in turf management.
About the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association
The Trans-Mississippi Golf Association is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf organizations in the United States. Established in 1901, the Trans-Mississippi is composed of over 200 member clubs located throughout the country. The Association is governed by a board of independent directors and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.
Address
4475 Trinity Mills Road, Suite #702526
Dallas, TX 75287