McDonough Scholarships

For the academic year 2024-2025, the Foundation distributed $182,000 in scholarship grants to 96 eligible applicants, representing 36 golf clubs throughout the state of New Hampshire.  Of this year’s recipients, 26 entered as freshmen, 26 as sophomores, 19 as juniors, and 20 as seniors. Twenty-nine of these scholars are attending 8 colleges and universities located in New Hampshire; the sixty-seven remaining are pursuing their degrees at 51 other colleges and universities around the country.

The McDonough Permanent Fund, an endowment fund, provides an avenue whereby a donor or donors can establish a named scholarship in the honor of an individual or in memory of a loved one.  These named scholarships provide additional scholarship opportunities annually to the deserving young men and women employed at New Hampshire golf courses, in addition to the McDonough Scholarship grants awarded to every eligible scholar each year.  Currently, twenty-eight named scholarships have been permanently endowed and are valued at over $1,250,000.

Endowed Scholarships:

The McDonough Foundation has a range of permanently endowed scholarships. Each of these awards has been funded by contributions from families or organizations and is named after an individual who was or is deeply committed to golf and the education of New Hampshire youths.

The Bald Peak Colony Club Scholarship
Endowed by ten present and former members of the Colony Club and awarded annually to an employee of the club.

The 2024 recipient is Michael Palmer of Bald Peak Colony Club, who is attending University of New Hampshire.

The Dr. George T. Bottomley Scholarship
Endowed by the Bottomley family and the Fuller Foundation in his memory and awarded annually to an employee of Abenaqui Country Club or a club in the New Hampshire seacoast area.

The 2024 recipient is William Tarnowski of Abenaqui Country Club, who is attending Tulane University.

The Dartmouth-Sunapee Upper Valley Scholarship
Endowed by Joseph and Kimberly Henley.  This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving scholar who is attending a four-year college or university, and who has worked in some capacity at a golf course in the general Sunapee-Upper Valley region of New Hampshire.

The 2024 recipient is Addyson Stadler of Baker Hill Golf Club, who is attending Merrimack College.

The Thomas L. DiFonzo Scholarship – 1
Endowed by members of Laconia Country Club and awarded, on an annual basis, to an employee of Laconia Country Club who has shown the financial need and a commitment to his or her ongoing education.

The 2024 recipient is Evan Rollins of Laconia Country Club, who is attending Southern New Hampshire University.

The Thomas L. DiFonzo Scholarship – 2
Endowed by members of Laconia Country Club and awarded, on an annual basis, to an employee of Laconia Country Club who has shown the financial need and a commitment to his or her ongoing education.

The 2024 recipient is Brendan Bunnell of Laconia Country Club, who is attending University of New Hampshire.

The Eastman Golf Links Scholarship
Endowed by the members of the Eastman Golf Links, the scholarship is awarded annually to a young man or woman employed by the club who has clear financial need. In addition, he or she has demonstrated high academic achievement and a record of service to his or her school or community.

The 2024 recipient is Olivia Pollard of Eastman Golf Links, who is attending Keene State College.

The Dr. Robert Elliott Memorial Scholarship
Endowed by the New Hampshire Golf Association in his memory and in recognition of his many years of service to the New Hampshire golfing community. The scholarship is awarded annually to the college senior scholar with the highest cumulative grade point average through his or her previous work.

The 2024 recipient is Kylie Callahan of Nashua Country Club, who is attending Marist College.

The Bob Erb Scholarship
Endowed in 2021, by Bob’s family and friends in recognition of his longtime service as a Board member and past President of the McDonough Foundation.  As a born and bred New Hampshire golfer and avid supporter of the McDonough Foundation, he took great pleasure in watching McDonough scholars succeed.  This scholarship is awarded annually to a young man or woman of any New Hampshire Golf course who has demonstrated the same love and respect of the game of golf that Bob embodied every time he stepped on the course.

The 2024 recipient is Spenser Stevens of The Maplewood Golf Course, who is attending Methodist University.

The Robert C. Erb Sr. Scholarship
Endowed by his wife and his son in recognition of his longtime support of the education of New Hampshire youths and their involvement in the game of golf.  Awarded annually to a young man or woman who has demonstrated outstanding character and academic achievement.

The 2024 recipient is Colby Stuart of Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club, who is attending Coastal Carolina University.

The Alex Gissler Memorial Scholarship
Endowed by the members of Baker Hill Golf Club in his memory and as an outstanding young man and loyal employee, the scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to a young man or woman employed at Baker Hill Golf Club.

The 2024 recipient is Connor Lefkof of Baker Hill Golf Club, who is attending New England College.

The Arnold and Carol Haynes Family Scholarship
Established and endowed in memory of Arnold and Carol Haynes by their three children, the scholarship is awarded annually to an employee of Bald Peak Colony Club who exhibits high character and meets the eligibility requirements of the McDonough Scholarship Foundation.  The scholarship was established in 2021 in recognition of Arnold and Carol Haynes’  love of the Bald Peak Colony Club.  If no scholarship is awarded in any given year, the annual earnings will be added to the principal balance of the fund.

The 2024 recipient is Leah Haskins of Bald Peak Colony Club, who is attending Plymouth State University.

The High-Clark Scholarship
Established in 2022, this scholarship was endowed by Richard High (a former McDonough scholar), and his late wife of over forty years, Joyce Clark. Richard and Joyce were both psychologists and for each, education was a life-changing experience. They established this scholarship with the hope it will help do the same for a dedicated and deserving student.  The primary intent of this scholarship fund is to assist an eligible applicant who has demonstrated a specific need for financial aid, as determined by the Scholarship Committee.  It is available to all McDonough scholars.

The 2024 recipient is Sarah Jenness of Concord Country Club, who is attending Endicott College.

The Jim Kinhan Directors Excellence Award
Endowed by present and former Directors of the McDonough Foundation in memory of Jim Kinhan and awarded on an annual basis to a scholar who has shown academic achievement together with outstanding citizenship and community involvement.

The 2024 recipient is Morgan Summerton of Newport Country Club, who is attending the Colby-Sawyer College.

The Stan Lencki Scholarship
Endowed by the Manchester Country Club membership together with friends of Mr. Lencki in honor of his 50 years of service to the club. The scholarship is awarded annually to a young man or woman who has demonstrated a specific need for financial aid as determined by the Scholarship Committee.

The 2024 recipient is Grace Fellows of Colebrook Country Club, who is attending University of New Hampshire.

The Macomber-Bird Scholarship
Established in 2020, this scholarship was endowed by Grace and Jerry Bird in honor of Grace’s parents, George and Ann Macomber, who were long time members of the Bald Peak Colony Club.  The scholarship is awarded annually to an employee of Bald Peak Colony Club who has demonstrated outstanding character and service to the club.

The 2024 recipient is Joseph D’Ambruoso of Bald Peak Colony Club, who is attending University of New Hampshire.

The Rick Mahoney Scholarship
Endowed by the McDonough Foundation in honor of Mr. Mahoney’s 25 plus years of service as director of the Foundation and chairman of the Scholarship Committee. The scholarship is awarded annually to a young man or woman who is a resident of Nashua, NH and is employed at a New Hampshire golf course.

The 2024 recipient is Linda Salgado of Nashua Country Club, who is attending University of New Hampshire.

The McDonough General Endowment Fund
Newly established by McDonough Foundation in August of 2023 as a repository for donations from individuals and donations that would like to help build the permanent endowment, but do not have the financial resources to create a specific named scholarship with the Foundation’s required minimum amount.  The earnings from this fund will be designated annually toward a specific purpose determined by the Scholarship Committee.

The Mitchell Scholarship
This fund was endowed by the New Hampshire Senior Golfer’s Association and originally called the New Hampshire Senior Golf Association Scholarship.  At the request of the NHSGA, this scholarship was renamed in December of 2023 to recognize Chuck and Kathi Mitchell’s 10+ years as directors of NHSGA, as well as their work for NH golf in general.  This scholarship is awarded annually to an employee of any New Hampshire Golf Course who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to the game of golf.

The 2024 recipient is Ethan Emerson of Laconia Country Club, who is attending Lynn University.

The Tom Mulkern Scholarship
Endowed by Dan and Amy Mulkern to honor Tommy Mulkern’s many decades at the helm of hospitality businesses in New Hampshire, including more than 20 years’ operating Wentworth Resort Golf Club in Jackson.  Tommy was instrumental in guiding the early careers of numerous young people who went on to become successful golf professionals, golf course superintendents, and restaurateurs.  The scholarship is awarded annually to an applicant with financial need, and who is employed at a golf course in the Mount Washington Valley area.

The 2024 recipient is Camden Bailey of North Conway Country Club, who is attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Pastrick Scholarship
The Pastrick Scholarship was established by Scott and Courtney Pastrick, members of Bald Peak Colony Club in 2023.

The 2024 recipient is Jake Cardillo of Lake Sunapee Conway Country Club, who is attending Brown University.

The Walter T. Philippy Scholarship
Endowed in his memory by the Philippy family. Walter was a 48-year veteran of Derryfield Country Club and an advocate of young peoples’ involvement in the game of golf. The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to a deserving candidate employed at Derryfield Country Club or a Manchester, NH golf club.

The 2024 recipient is Peyton St. John of Derryfield Country Club, who is attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The David J. Pollini Scholarship
Endowed by the Kingswood Golf Club members and friends of Mr. Pollini in his honor, upon his retirement, of his 39 years of service as head professional at Kingswood Golf Club. The scholarship is awarded annually to an employee of Kingswood Golf Club or an employee of a Lakes Region golf course.

The 2024 recipient is Jason Keysar of Oak Hill Golf Course, who is attending Plymouth State University.

The Jim Sheerin Scholarship
Endowed by the Abenaqui Country Club membership and friends of Mr. Sheerin in honor of his many years of service as head golf professional and director of golf. A longtime supporter and board member of the McDonough Foundation and committed to introducing young people to the game of golf as illustrated by his caddie program and youth golf camps. The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to a deserving candidate employed at Abenaqui Country Club or another Seacoast area golf course.

The 2024 recipient is Cole Perra of Abenaqui Country Club, who is attending University of Massachusetts – Amherst.

The Rich Thibeault Scholarship

Concord Country Club’s members and Rich Thibeault’s friends have generously contributed toward funding the Rich Thibeault Scholarship Fund upon his retirement as the club’s PGA Professional in 2021.  The fund pays tribute to Rich’s many years of service to the members and guests of Concord Country Club, as well as recognizing his loyal support of the McDonough Scholarship Foundation.  Rich has designated his named scholarship be awarded to a Concord Country Club scholar who has demonstrated specific need for financial aid, as determined by the Scholarship Committee.  If no such Concord Country Club candidate exists, the award will be given to another candidate who best meets the criteria for the academic year.

The 2024 recipient is Rylee Boucher of Concord Country Club, who is attending Southern New Hampshire University.

The Wilson Kurtz Family Scholarship
This scholarship was endowed by David Wilson a long time Board member of the McDonough Scholarship Foundation in memory of his late wife, Marcia Wilson.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a young man or woman who works for Cochecho Country Club. The recipient will be a scholar who is entering his or her sophomore, junior or senior year in college. The award will be based primarily on a combination of academic achievement and financial need, with interest in golf as a secondary consideration.

The 2024 recipient is Taylor Wilson of Cochecho Country Club, who is attending Wheaton College.

The John Wirbal Scholarship
Established by the members of Nashua Country Club in his memory, and in recognition of John Wirbal’s 40-plus years of service as Head Professional.  The Wirbal shall be awarded annually to a current employee of Nashua Country Club who has need for financial assistance, has demonstrated outstanding character, and high academic achievement.”

The 2024 recipient is Brayden Cole of Nashua Country Club, who is attending Babson College.

The Tracy Wyles Scholarship
This fund was established in 2022 by the membership of Bald Peak Colony Club, in honor of the late wife of club manager Chris Wyles.  The intent of the Tracy Wyles scholarship will be to provide financial assistance to a deserving student who has demonstrated the desire to pursue a future career in one of the many fields that Tracy was passionate about.  The scholarship is open to all McDonough scholars, but the first priority will be given to staff members at Bald Peak Colony Club, followed by other students from the greater New Hampshire Lakes region.

The 2024 recipient is Ryleigh Welsh of Nippo Lake Golf Course, who is attending University of New Hampshire.