Delaware Junior Golf Scholarship Fund recipients announced

The Delaware Junior Golf Scholarship Fund recently recognized and awarded several high school graduates for their academic achievements, community involvement and accomplishments in junior or scholastic golf.

The fund has supported more than 175 students with over $1.6 million, beginning in 1988. For many years, the Delaware State Golf Association assisted the fund with publicity and linkage at the DSGA website for the application process. The DJGS Fund now maintains its own website at DelawareJuniorGolf.org.

Sarah Lydic of Ocean View won the Robert McCurry Award and special recognition as the Delaware Player of the Year. The Indian River High graduate won the 2021 and 2024 DIAA golf championships. This month she joined the Wake Forest University women’s golf team on a full scholarship, which limited the fund’s ability to award an additional stipend. Wake Forest won the 2023 NCAA Division I National Championship.

James Campbell of the Charter School of Wilmington won the R. Gerald Medd Award of $12,000 per year, $48,000 total. As of the time of application, he was undecided about which college he would attend this fall. Campbell finished 20th in the 2024 DIAA Boys’ Championship.

Evan Gebhart won the Ron Barrows Award of $8,000 per year, $32,000 total. The Caesar Rodney graduate will attend the University of Delaware. He tied for fifth in the 2024 DIAA Boys’ Championship. 

Justin Pal won the James Powell Award of $5,000 per year, $20,000 total. A graduate of the Newark Charter School, he will attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Pal tied for 33rd in the 2024 DIAA Boys’ Championship. 

The fund’s primary source of revenue is its golf tournament, scheduled this year for Monday, Aug. 26, at Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Last year’s event raised over $128,000. Playing spots for the 2024 event sold out, but online auction items remain available until the night of the event at https://event.gives/dejuniors2024/items.

For information about 2025 scholarships, contact Fund President Jerry Medd at dejuniorgolfscholarship@gmail.com.

Swing Control

The 2024 PGA Show last January marked the first appearance of new women’s golf apparel from Swing Control’s new head designer Nancy Robitaille.

From what I saw in Orlando, the Montreal-based company should have enjoyed a brisk sales volume from the buyers attending this year’s show.

Robitaille, a Rutland, Vt. native, discussed her design philosophy in our interview. “These clothes need to breathe and move easily with the golfer. That said, there also needs to be a path for them to be used all day.”

She also focused one aspect of the new designs on a simple color frame. “We can work with navy, stone, white and black,” she said.

For example, a sharp, short-pleated navy skort with brilliant white polka dots looked like it would flatter most wearers while easily handling windy rounds.

I was most impressed by the Black Floral line, produced for this fall’s collection. Robitaille said she discovered this beautiful fabric with its black background and shimmering floral patterns. It reminds me of the floral artwork of Georgia O’Keefe. Robitaille said, “I knew I could do so much with this,” and she did.

The skort print looks great with several solid tops that each highlight one of the print’s floral colors, providing several mix-and-match opportunities. Other pieces use the floral design as an accent element. A black top with the floral print used as the placket material and for the shirt cuffs was a hit in my book.

Based on the show’s reaction, Robitaille’s first round of designs for Swing Control looked like a success.

Delmarva Folds of Honor Golf Tournament set for Nov. 11

The Rookery Golf Course near Milton will host the Delmarva Folds of Honor Golf Tournament Monday, Nov. 11. All net proceeds will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation (foldsofhonor.org), which provides scholarship stipends to family members of fallen or disabled military veterans and first responders.

The format includes men’s and women’s divisions in a no-handicap foursome scramble, with opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. and a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

The $125 entry fee per golfer includes a gift bag, cart, range balls and a complimentary lunch with cash bar. Prizes and contests include closest to the pin and long drive challenges.

Openings remain for sponsorship opportunities ranging from $250 to $5,000. Go to tinyurl.com/2p8enx2.

To donate to the foundation or register to play the event, go to tinyurl.com/yc6cef5p. Checks made payable to Folds of Honor can also be sent to Folds of Honor c/o Rob Robison, Event Coordinator, 18260 White Cedar Court, Milton, DE 19968.

Local club competition results

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 18-Hole League played a Baker's Dozen game Aug. 15, with gross and net winners.

Anita Pettitt won first gross in the first flight, with Carol Simon winning first gross in the second flight.

Jean Chlastawa won first-place net in the first flight, followed by Sally McGovern in second and Donna Deely in third. Leslie Ledogar won first net in the second flight, with Katie Heintz in second and Jeannine Doane in third.