We’re proud to recognize our 2025 GCSANC Scholarship recipients!
Turf Scholarships
Colin James Bastis
Major: Agricultural Business
School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Why have you chosen a career in golf course management?
I chose to pursue golf course management because I’ve always loved the idea of a career that improves my problem-solving skills, given that golf courses are living systems, they are the ultimate intellectual challenge, as there are constantly changing conditions you must adapt to. It’s a career built for someone like me who finds fulfillment in variety rather than monotony.
Additionally, golf course management is a career that taps into my core interest of a career centered somewhat around the outdoors. I never wanted to study something that would keep me confined to a desk at all times so I’ve sought to pursue a career in this industry as it will provide me with daily hands-on work in natural landscapes managing turf, trees, water, etc.
I chose to pursue golf course management because I’ve always loved the idea of a career that improves my problem-solving skills, given that golf courses are living systems, they are the ultimate intellectual challenge, as there are constantly changing conditions you must adapt to. It’s a career built for someone like me who finds fulfillment in variety rather than monotony.
Additionally, golf course management is a career that taps into my core interest of a career centered somewhat around the outdoors. I never wanted to study something that would keep me confined to a desk at all times so I’ve sought to pursue a career in this industry as it will provide me with daily hands-on work in natural landscapes managing turf, trees, water, etc.
Jaime Salazar
Major: Plant Science
School: Hartnell Community College
School: Hartnell Community College
Why have you chosen a career in golf course management?
I worked my way up through Carmel Valley Ranch. I started off as a landscaper and slowly took different roles such as office administrator, AIT, and eventually the assistant golf course superintendent role. I am proud of the hardwork
I worked my way up through Carmel Valley Ranch. I started off as a landscaper and slowly took different roles such as office administrator, AIT, and eventually the assistant golf course superintendent role. I am proud of the hardwork
Riley Ledin
Major: Turfgrass Management
School: Pennsylvania State University
School: Pennsylvania State University
Why have you chosen a career in golf course management?
I chose a career in golf course management because I love working outside as a team, I am fascinated with Agronomy and dedicated to learning more everyday. I have a true passion for maintaining beautiful playing surfaces and scenery.
I chose a career in golf course management because I love working outside as a team, I am fascinated with Agronomy and dedicated to learning more everyday. I have a true passion for maintaining beautiful playing surfaces and scenery.
Samuel Boyden
Major: Business administration
School: Merrimack College
School: Merrimack College
Why have you chosen a career in golf course management?
My main desire is to cultivate a beautiful golf course for people to have fun with their friends and family. I also wanted to work outside every day and truly be a steward of the land.
My main desire is to cultivate a beautiful golf course for people to have fun with their friends and family. I also wanted to work outside every day and truly be a steward of the land.
Samuel Sandoval
Major: Turfgrass Management
School: UC Riverside
School: UC Riverside
What are your career goals in three to five years? Ten years? Tell why you have chosen these goals.
To become a Golf Course Assistant Superintendent in 3-5 years. And to become a Superintendent in 10 years. I have chosen these goals because I believe in my abilities and have the passion in this field.
To become a Golf Course Assistant Superintendent in 3-5 years. And to become a Superintendent in 10 years. I have chosen these goals because I believe in my abilities and have the passion in this field.
Legacy Scholarships
Isabella Marty
Major: Political Science
School: Texas Christian University
School: Texas Christian University
What are your career goals in three to five years? Ten years? Tell why you have chosen these goals.
My career goals in three to five years are to intern at a couple of law firms, get more experience in other industries that I can gain skills from, and to discover what area of law I would want to practice and where I would reside. Since I love music and am currently a dj at my college radio station, I would love to continue this interest by working at a radio station after college wherever possible, even just as a volunteer. In ten years, I would like to be a lawyer at a successful law office, with a potential side job at a radio station or something related to music. I have chosen these goals because I really want to follow through with my passion of law and politics, but I also want to take into account my love of music and explore that no matter the difficulties I may encounter by balancing both passions.
My career goals in three to five years are to intern at a couple of law firms, get more experience in other industries that I can gain skills from, and to discover what area of law I would want to practice and where I would reside. Since I love music and am currently a dj at my college radio station, I would love to continue this interest by working at a radio station after college wherever possible, even just as a volunteer. In ten years, I would like to be a lawyer at a successful law office, with a potential side job at a radio station or something related to music. I have chosen these goals because I really want to follow through with my passion of law and politics, but I also want to take into account my love of music and explore that no matter the difficulties I may encounter by balancing both passions.
Stephen Culley
Major: Economics
School: UC San Diego
School: UC San Diego
What are your career goals in three to five years? Ten years? Tell why you have chosen these goals.
In three to five years I hope to be a researcher on topics pertaining to education. I believe that it is vital for me to develop a detailed understanding of the complex issues facing our education system before I transition into policy advising and formulation, which is my ten year goal.
In three to five years I hope to be a researcher on topics pertaining to education. I believe that it is vital for me to develop a detailed understanding of the complex issues facing our education system before I transition into policy advising and formulation, which is my ten year goal.
Makenna Tarsitano
Major: Communication/Sociology/PR
School: University of San Diego
School: University of San Diego
What are your career goals in three to five years? Ten years? Tell why you have chosen these goals.
When I look at my future, I have countless plans and ambitions. I hope to be able to take my knowledge and experience with yoga and combine it with the principles I am learning in both the field of sociology and the field of communication and pr to one day create a wellness studio focused on yoga and wellness modalities. Ultimately, my goal is to offer an uplifting place for the community to empower themselves to become the best version of themself. In the meantime I will be interning at a local barre studio this summer where I will learn the ins and outs of what exactly it means to own and run a wellness-based small business. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am eager to gain experience and knowledge in a field that I have always been interested in. I will be teaching yoga and pilates classes as well as helping plan events, manage the studio and boutique, helping with social media, and overall offering ideas and input on how to improve the studio in any way. I hope to use the knowledge and experience I gain this summer to open/own a studio of my own one day. Regardless of this opportunity, being an undergraduate student I will continue to utilize my academic resources to explore various opportunities and consider potential career paths to align my skills and interests, and I remain open to discovering where they may lead in the future.
When I look at my future, I have countless plans and ambitions. I hope to be able to take my knowledge and experience with yoga and combine it with the principles I am learning in both the field of sociology and the field of communication and pr to one day create a wellness studio focused on yoga and wellness modalities. Ultimately, my goal is to offer an uplifting place for the community to empower themselves to become the best version of themself. In the meantime I will be interning at a local barre studio this summer where I will learn the ins and outs of what exactly it means to own and run a wellness-based small business. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am eager to gain experience and knowledge in a field that I have always been interested in. I will be teaching yoga and pilates classes as well as helping plan events, manage the studio and boutique, helping with social media, and overall offering ideas and input on how to improve the studio in any way. I hope to use the knowledge and experience I gain this summer to open/own a studio of my own one day. Regardless of this opportunity, being an undergraduate student I will continue to utilize my academic resources to explore various opportunities and consider potential career paths to align my skills and interests, and I remain open to discovering where they may lead in the future.
Embree Stutsman
Major: Financial Business
School: Doane University
School: Doane University
What are your career goals in three to five years? Ten years? Tell why you have chosen these goals.
My current career goals include maintaining an under par scoring average in my freshman year golf season at Doane University. Another career goal of mine is to make enough money to sustain myself strictly from stock market trading.
My current career goals include maintaining an under par scoring average in my freshman year golf season at Doane University. Another career goal of mine is to make enough money to sustain myself strictly from stock market trading.