Scholarship History
The Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Tournament has made a profound impact on the lives of young people in the last 36 years. Over $200,000 has been awarded to area students for college scholarships from 1984 to 2003. Convinced that golf is more that a game and that its inherent nature can significantly influence youngsters in their character development, the Scott Robertson Memorial Fund board set forth the goal of putting a golf club in the hand of every youngster in the Roanoke Valley – and provide area youth with the classroom and green grass learning opportunities for them to acquire values and skills required for golf and a fulfilling life.
In June 2005, The Scott Robertson Memorial Launched The First Tee of Roanoke Valley, which is dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. To quote George Bush, Honorary Chair of The First Tee – “Not only is golf a sport of a lifetime but in many ways it is a lesson in life.” We believe that The First Tee Program will help us teach the children lessons that lay the foundations needed to meet the many challenges of life.
In 2013, the Junior Golf Foundation of Virginia was established to provide ongoing support for three of the vital junior golf organizations in Roanoke: The First Tee of Roanoke Valley, The Roanoke Valley Junior Golf Association and The Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Tournament.
The following are past recipients of the Scott Robertson Memorial Scholarship:
1984 | John B. Phillips of Hollins, Virginia |
1985 | Stephen P. Jenkins of Daleville, Virginia |
1986 | A. Larry Gwaltney III of Roanoke, Virginia |
1987 | D. Gray Roberson, Jr. of Salem, Virginia |
1988 | Richard A. Wolf of Roanoke, Virginia |
1989 | Vickie C.Linkous of Roanoke, Virginia |
1990 | Robert C. Wolfe of Roanoke, Virginia |
1991 | John C. Tickle of Roanoke, Virginia |
1992 | Troy S. Jamison of Roanoke, Virginia |
1993 | Chad C. Sartini of Roanoke, Virginia |
1994 | Christopher R. Antolini of Salem, Virginia |
1995 | Nicholas L. Varney of Salem, Virginia |
1996 | Thomas Steven Salter of Roanoke, Virginia |
1997 | Martin Kessler of Roanoke, Virginia |
1998 | Brandon LaCroix of Roanoke, Virginia |
1999 | Benjamin Hosp of Roanoke, Virginia |
2000 | Scott Wise of Vinton, Virginia |
2001 | Meg Davies of Roanoke, Virginia |
2002 | Jeffrey T. Ferguson of Salem, Virginia |
2003 | Barry Edward Wirt, Jr. of Roanoke, Virginia |
A one-year $1,000 grant program was established in 1990. Past recipients of the grant are as follows:
1990 | Jamie T. Watt of Salem, Virginia |
1991 | Lewis A. Conner of Roanoke, Virginia |
1992 | Adam C. Harrell of Salem, Virginia |
1993 | Michael L. Smith II of Roanoke, Virginia |
1994 | James M. Noon of Roanoke, Virginia |
In 1995, the grant was dedicated to the memory of Gene Hawthorne, a founding tournament committee member who passed away in June 1995. Gene’s efforts during the 12 years of his involvement were instrumental in the growth and success of the tournament. His dedication to the tournament and his love for the young people helped elevate the Scott Robertson Memorial into the tournament it is today.
1995 | Dana Michelle Hall of Roanoke, Virginia |
1996 | Andrew H. Green of Daleville, Virginia |
1997 | Brian Sutton of Roanoke, Virginia |
1998 | James Jett II of Salem, Virginia |
1999 | Matthew W. Traylor of Daleville, Virginia |
2000 | Gary Lee Taylor of Roanoke, Virginia |
2001 | William David Journell of Salem, Virginia |
2002 | R. Allen May, Jr. of Salem, Virginia |
2003 | Carrie Michelle Stump of Fincastle, Virginia |