Press contacts: Kelly Newland, Director of Rules & Competitions 410-653-5300

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

The Association aims 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. Applications for 2017 will be accepted beginning March 1, 2017. The MSGA Junior Grant Committee will review the applications and award grants.

The MSGA will award up to four $500 grants in 2017. 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.

“2016 was the first year we offered our grant program and we are very happy it was so well received by our players and their families,” said MSGA President Jack Barse. “I am hopeful that the program can have an even greater impact in 2017.”

A parent of one of our recipients from the 2016 season said, “The junior grant allowed our son to participate in several tournaments that were outside of our budget. Big thanks to the Maryland State Golf Association for investing in our young athletes and promoting the great game of golf! ”

More information can be found on the MSGA web site.