Press contacts: Bill Smith, Executive Director 410-653-5300, Jack Barse, 1st VP 301-229-6031.

The Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) today announced a new grant program for junior golfers that will help offset the cost of competing in national and regional tournaments. Grantees will receive reimbursement for up to $500 in tournament-related expenses.

The Association hopes to assist players of modest means, who have the skills and interest to play college golf, to increase their visibility to college coaches at junior tournaments such as those organized by the United States Golf Association, American Junior Golf Association, International Junior Golf Tour and other organizations.

Executive Director Bill Smith said, “We believe that our sport can help junior golfers pay for college through golf scholarships, and we hope that this program will help more of our juniors have a chance to play in high-profile events that attract college coaches searching for potential players.”

The MSGA Junior Grant Program is in full compliance with the Rules of Amateur Status and with NCAA recruiting roles. It is open to both boys and girls. Players and their family may apply for a grant via an application found on the MSGA web site here. Applications for 2016 will be accepted beginning March 1, 2016. The MSGA Junior Grant Committee will review the applications and award grants.

The MSGA will award up to four $500 grants in 2016. A grant recipient may use the grant reimbursement for as many tournaments as he or she likes, however an individual player is only eligible to receive one $500 grant in a calendar year.

Grantees will submit receipts or other expense documents to the MSGA for reimbursement. Eligible expenses include entry fees, transportation expenses, lodging, meals and other tournament-related expenses for the player.

“Several times during my tenure on our Board, accomplished junior players have asked for our help with tournament expenses,” said MSGA President Stan Klinefelter. “Until now, we haven’t had a mechanism to offer that help. I am very pleased that we can make a contribution toward our juniors’ future college success.”

More information can be found on the MSGA web site, please …click here>>