The GCSAA has awarded its 2026 Par Aide Garske Grants to nearly a dozen students to help them defray the cost of their college education.
Established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske, the Par Aide Garske Grant competition is funded by the golf course accessory company and administered by the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. For more than 20 years, the program has helped children and stepchildren of GCSAA members fund their education at an accredited college or trade school with one-time, one-year grants. There are eleven grants awarded for a total of $14,000. Grants are based on community service, leadership, academic performance, and a written essay.
This year’s recipients are Kathryn Honaker, Elizabeth Hopkins, Ethan Keilen, Cadell Moulton, Emilee Puhl, Danielle Robertson, Ashlyn Sexton, Kaitlyn Skirkanich, Alayna Stawovy, Reese Wenker and Ines Yanez.
“At Par Aide, we have always believed in investing in the future of our industry, and that starts with supporting the families who make golf possible every day,” said Dan Brown, Par Aide director of sales and marketing. “We are proud to continue honoring our founder, Joe Garske, through these grants, and we congratulate this year’s recipients as they take the next step in their educational journey. We wish them continued success in the years ahead.”
- Reese Wenker — $2,500, U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School (Nolan Wenker, CGCS, Oswego Lake Country Club, Lake Oswego, Oregon).
- Ines Yanez — $2,500, Stanford University (David Yanez, The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, California).
- Kathryn Honaker — $1,000, West Virginia University (Brian Honaker, Stonehaven Course at The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels, West Virginia).
- Elizabeth Hopkins — $1,000, University of Georgia (Tad Hopkins, Fenmoor Golf Club at Reynolds Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia).
- Ethan Keilen — $1,000, Oakland Community College (Andrew Keilen, Knollwood Country Club, West Bloomfield, Michigan).
- Cadell Moulton — $1,000, Menlo College (Jonathan Moulton, Martis Camp Club, Truckee, California).
- Emilee Puhl — $1,000, Southern Oregon University (Craig Hilty, Rogue Valley Country Club, Medford, Oregon).
- Danielle Robertson — $1,000, Samford University (David Robertson, River Oaks Country Club, Houston, Texas).
- Ashlyn Sexton — $1,000, Murray State University (Jeff Sexton, CGCS, Evansville (Indiana) Country Club.
- Kaitlyn Skirkanich — $1,000, Saint Anselm College (Mike Skirkanich, Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills, Quincy, Massachusetts).
- Alayna Stawovy — $1,000, Pennsylvania Western University-Edinboro (John Stawovy, Cedarbrook Golf Club, Belle Vernon, Virginia).
