CUMBERLAND — Since its modest inception in 1950, the Maine State Golf Association Scholarship Fund, formerly the Maine Caddie Scholarship, has given more than $1,300,000 to help Maine students pay for college. The Fund has helped more than 500 students hailing from all 16 counties and more than 125 different towns. The scholarship “alumni” include doctors, mariners, business executives, golf course managers, golf pros, and community leaders from many different vocations.

Students are selected based on their financial need, academic performance, and participation in the game of golf and the golf industry, and character. In 2015, the MSGA Scholarship Committee has selected 15 new recipients for awards of $1,500 renewable for up to four years of undergraduate education. Added to the commitment of renewing recipients, the new awards make a total current commitment to students of about $90,000.

Everything the Scholarship Fund has been able to do is thanks in large measure to the golf courses of Maine that comprise the Maine State Golf Association, according to a press release. 

The 2015 recipients are as follows, with local golfers bolded. 

• Sullivan Tidd of Casco, son of Trevor and Eileen Tidd
• Parker Walker of Island Falls, son of Stephen Walker and Melissa Walker
• Jenna Hallett of Presque Isle, daughter of Gregory and Jennifer Hallett
• Gavin Dugas of Pittsfield, son of Michael and Dawn Dugas
• Robbie Watson of Fort Fairfield, son of Cindy Watson
• Craig Smith of Falmouth, son of Jeffrey Smith and Hsu Hsien Smith
• Thomas Ackerman of Topsham, son of Tom and Cindy Ackerman
• Taylor Morang of Winthrop, son of Keith and Kelly Morang
• Kelsie Dessent of Fairfield, daughter of Tony and Michelle Dessent
• Ty Cowan of Madison, son of Heath and Mandy Cowan
• Thomas Foster of Augusta, son of James and Rebecca Foster
• Katie Pelletier of Caribou, daughter of John Pelletier, Jr. and Leslie Anderson
• Henry Laurita of Hope, son of Carrie Laurita and the late Dr. Jim Laurita
• Drew Long of Rockport, son of Ron and Angela Long
• Brody Campbell of Exeter, son of Jeffrey and Dawn Campbell

A one-time $500 Golf Contributions Award has been presented to Daulton Wickenden of Rockport, son of John and Kimberly Wickenden. 

Additionally, Sullivan, the top academic performer among the new scholars, is also the recipient of the Winchenbach Award and will receive an additional one-time grant of $500. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.