The Presidents' Leadership Award was created to recognize one boy and one girl junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the Leadership Links program – a joint initiative founded by the USGA and AJGA in 2005 to further develop junior golfers through volunteerism. The recipients of the USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award will be named on May 31.
Sebastian
Crampton, Pacific Grove, California (Class of 2014)
Crampton
carries the title "NCGA Junior Mentor," where he assists the Northern
California Golf Association's Foundation with clinics and the mentoring of
younger golfers.
List of Nominees |
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Grant
Guthery, Dublin, Ohio (Class of 2013)
Guthery
was the co-chairman of the Putt Down Drive Out Cancer Classic where he had a
goal of raising $10,000 for the American Cancer Society. He worked on creating
a logo for the event, obtaining corporate sponsorship, soliciting prize
donations and marketing the event to the local community.
Michael
Hickey, Glencoe, Illinois (Class of 2013)
Hickey
serves as class president and student council member at Loyola Academy where he
raises money for various local charities and school needs. He is also involved
in youth ministry, gives time to the Student Alliance for Homeless Youth and
raises funds for the Kids Golf Foundation through Leadership Links.
Christopher
Hickman, Centreville, Maryland (Class of 2012)
A
member of the National Honor Society and Student Council President, Hickman
hosted a Golf-a-Thon at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club. He played 101 holes
during the event and raised over $3,500 for the Delaware State Golf Association
and AJGA youth development programs.
Wyatt
Larkin, Morganton, Georgia (Class of 2014)
Recipient
of the 2011 Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award, Larkin participated in the Birdies
for Charity program with the benefiting organization being Hope for the
Warriors. He attends Hope for the Warriors events where he interacts and plays
golf with wounded veterans and helps raise awareness about the program.
Anthony
Myers, Cape Coral, Florida (Class of 2013)
Myers
participates in the AJGA's Birdies for Charity program, raising money to
benefit the Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association. He also dedicates time as an assistant coach
at a nearby middle school and volunteers at a yearly golf camp.
Andrew
Novara, Murphysboro, Illinois (Class of 2012)
Novara
is a three-sport athlete and honor student, yet he finds time to give back to
his community by dedicating service hours to his church or with Key Club. The
high school senior also volunteers at youth camps and clinics and devotes time
to various fundraising efforts.
Michael
Pisciotta, Alpharetta, Georgia (Class of 2014)
Pisciotta
is extremely involved in the Children's Tumor Foundation where he uses the
Birdies for Charity program to raise money and create awareness for
neurofibrosis. He raised $4,000 for the Foundation in 2011 and was able to send
Jack, a 7-year-old with neurofibromatosis, and his brother and father to
Racing4Research in Daytona, Fla.
Stephen
Stallings Jr., Louisville, Kentucky (Class of 2013)
Stallings
devotes his time and passion through his philanthropic efforts with the Ronald
McDonald House and Playing Fore Their Future. Along with volunteering in the
community, Stallings mentors transfer students at his school and promotes the
game of golf as an ambassador for Kentucky Junior Golf.
Thomas
Walsh, High Point, North Carolina (Class of 2015)
Through
two successful fundraising tournaments, Walsh raised more than $34,000 for The
First Tee of the Sandhills, the Wounded Warrior Fund and the AJGA ACE Grant.
With participation from fellow junior golfers, Walsh's "Dormie Cup" tournaments
provided an outlet for players to give back and recognize those who served our
country.
Casey
Danielson, Osceola, Wisconsin (Class of 2013)
Danielson
is a member of the National Honor Society at Osceola High School along with
volunteering in leadership groups and fundraising activities. She participates
in the AJGA's Birdies for Charity program, raising money to fight hunger in the
world to benefit the Empty Bowls Club.
Lauren
Barbara Flynn, Milton, Massachusetts (Class of 2012)
Flynn
has volunteered for a number of different organizations including at the Milton
Animal Shelter and Carney Hospital. She was also tutor for underprivileged at
the Julie Family Learning Center where she served as a role model and friend to
a number of young girls.
Kelly
Grassel, Chesterton, Indiana (Class of 2013)
Grassel
is a member of the Student Council and Student Athletic Council at Chesterton
High School. She assists the Chesterton Hometown Improvement project, Natural
Helpers program, along with helping a junior golf program at her home course.
She raises funds for the American Cancer Society through the AJGA's Birdies for
Charity program.
Rosalee
Hearns, Hermitage, Pennsylvania (Class of 2013)
Hearns
serves as a program mentor for The First Tee of Mahoning Valley where she
organized a Multi-Chapter Tournament and Golf-a-Thon along with assisting
children in learning the game of golf. She also dedicates time as a scorekeeper
for Hermitage Girls Softball and volunteers at the Shenago Valley YMCA.
Hana
Ku, Basking Ridge, New Jersey (Class of 2013)
For
four years Ku has devoted time to photo archiving at the USGA Museum in Far
Hill, New Jersey. She catalogs, prepares and files a large donation of
photographs that have captured history of the game of golf.
Mariah
Stackhouse, Riverdale, Georgia (Class of 2012)
Whether
it is speaking at a girls' golf clinic or presenting her golf skills at a
demonstration, Stackhouse combines her love for the game with providing
community service. She also volunteers in the community as a member of her
local youth leadership council and the National Honor Society.
The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game's history and funds an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA's Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.
For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.