Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (May 11, 2022) — PGA REACH Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, is proud to announce its 2022 Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship recipients: Maia Angelina Thanh Alinskas, Millsboro Del.; Sean Allen, Philadelphia, Pa.; Devin Carpenter, Philadelphia, Pa.; Brooke E. Graham, Carlisle, Pa; Allison Brown, Audubon, Pa; and Jayden Goodson, Philadelphia, Pa.
PGA REACH Philadelphia created the scholarship program to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, an elite circuit for golfers ages 18 and under. The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarships provide recipients annual tour membership dues and tournament event fees (up to seven tournaments per year until the recipient turns 18 years old). The foundation will also connect recipients to PGA Professional mentors for golf instruction / coaching and club fitting. Additionally, thanks to a partnership with the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s 1854 Foundation, the scholarship recipients will receive new golf clubs, and additional equipment, based on their PGA Professional mentor’s recommendations.
Maia Angelina Thanh Alinskas is 16 years old, from Millsboro, Delaware. Alinskas is a straight-A student, in dual enrollment and is also a tri-varsity athlete, competing in soccer, swimming, and golf as a freshman. In addition to her academics and sports, Maia has always wanted to give back to her community, creating her own organization called Maia’s Love, to help people in need. So far Maia has gather fuzzy socks and blankets to give to the seniors in her community. Thanh says, “I see golf as a way to make my college dreams come true.” She is committed to breaking down any barriers that keep any one of us from achieving excellence.
Sean Allen is 14 years old from Philadelphia, Pa. Allen not only tees it up on the golf course, but also plays squash, basketball and soccer. Allen says that playing these different sports and meeting new people from different ethnic backgrounds he can learn many things from them. “I like to show that there is diversity in golf and hopefully encourage other kids that look like me to try it for themselves,” continued Allen.
Allison Brown, 14, resides in Audubon Pa., was originally apart of the PGA Junior Tour with the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia. This experience helped Brown realize that she has the confidence to tee up with the boys and learned to play on an individual level. The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour will expose Brown to championships and nationally ranked events, seeing different golf courses that she otherwise would not have the chance to play at. Brown states, “studies have shown that golf can help girls develop many life skills including self-reliance, self-discipline, and leadership, all of which are important in the business world.” Brown mentions that playing on the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour with help her grow character and enhance her golf abilities to get the chance to play in college.
Devin Carpenter, 15, from Philadelphia Pa., has a dream of playing golf professionally. Carpenter mentions that being a member of the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour gives him opportunity for growth and development in the game of golf. Being exposed to different golfers with the same mindset as he does will help to further his career in golf. Carpenter states, “the competitive environment will both be highly enjoyable and a great motivator and being among people with similar ambitions is an added benefit. It’s something I will enjoy in the present and benefit from in the future.”
Brooke Graham is 17, from Carlisle, Pa. Graham is in the South Middleton School District, who has a dream of playing Division I golf in the future. Being a part of the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour would create opportunities to see teams and other coaches who could put her in that position. Graham states, “Golf is a sport that has many benefits, and teaches life lessons like patience and self-improvement.” Outside of golf, Graham is in the perfect peer’s inclusion club where she works directly with special needs students. She loved the club so much that now she interns in one of their classes. Graham stated, “One thing in particular, that stuck with me was that the only disability is a bad attitude. The kids I work with can accomplish almost anything.”
Jayden Goodson, 16, is from Philadelphia Pa., not only golfs but also does crew as well. Diversity is very important in Goodson’s life, especially within the sports he is involved in. Goodson wants to influence other kids that these sports are for everyone, not just a certain race. Goodson hopes to introduce more children of color to golf and crew. Goodson states, “I believe we can all live together in a rich harmonious way.”
The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Diversity Scholarship program is one of many programs and initiatives managed by PGA REACH Philadelphia and is the foundation’s flagship program under its Diversity pillar, helping to positively impact lives through the game of golf. PGA REACH Philadelphia’s goal is to grow the game by providing financial assistance, coaching, instructional materials, mentoring, equipment and scholarships to individuals and organizations throughout the region, with the help of the Philadelphia PGA Section’s 800 PGA Professionals, who work at more than 300 public and private golf facilities in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and northeastern Maryland.
The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour leads the region in competitive youth golf with over 90 events held seasonally at many of the area’s top facilities, covering all of the Section’s geographic areas.* In addition, the tour hosts four major championships throughout the season, including nationally ranked events that provide exposure for youth golfers looking to play competitively. With opportunities to learn, grow, and compete, many tour members graduate to play at the college level and beyond.
The 1854 Foundation’s missions are to support local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competition; preserve and maintain public facilities and artifacts related to amateur athletics; and enhance the local community’s environmental health, beautification, and stabilization.
About PGA REACH Philadelphia
PGA REACH Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia PGA Section, one of the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. PGA REACH
About the Philadelphia PGA Section
The Philadelphia PGA Section, covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, is one of 41 geographical managing entities of the PGA of America. This Section manages nearly 900 PGA Members and Associates who are employed at over 590 golf facilities in our region.
Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Communications Director, mfrey@pgahq.com
